Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-03-31

"A dispatch from Denver, Colo, says:
The Hennasos Penitents, Q fanaticsl re-
ligious sect, numbering about 1000 per-
SONS, in the Territory of New Mexico,
who believe in the periodical a.onement
of sin by ;n6icting on their bodies ag-
onizing tortures, were originally with
the Roman Catholic Church; but Arch
bishop Laney, shocked by the barbarous
crueaties, promulgated decree Danish
ing them from communion. The men,
bers have greatly thinned out since, and
they now iahabit principally but four
counties in the territory. Great care is
taken to prevent the discovery of their
identity BY the inspector, and all are
masked while conducting their annual
penance. The deyotees often travel hun
dreds Of miles to undergo the prescribed
tortures. Los Griegos, small Mexican
village near Albuquerque, boasts of the
great body OF peritents. This morning
the ceremonies were inaugurated by an
Introductory procession containing about
thirty men and women. The process of
purifcation by torture began at 10
o'clock. Five men, naked to the waist
barefooted, and wearing black robes and
hoods completely coucealing their lden-
tity, were seen to issue above the lodge
house OF the sect, led by the master of
ceremonies, whe carried the veritable
cat of nine-tails. Two huge wooden
crosses, weighing $50 pounds each, were
placed on the naked shoulders of two of
the self-torturers. The sharp edges cut
ting into the naked flesh caused the blood
to squirt out and drop to the ground.
One penitent produced sharp goad,
which he thrust into the flesh of his fell
low sufferers from time to time, while
the procession moved up the street to
wild chant in Spanish. Hating once,
the crosses were transferred TO the 9th
er's shoulders, the attendants applying
their rawhide whips merciiessly, each
blow taking off the skin and bits of flesh.
The procession took its way to the goal,
q small adobe hut, a-halt mile away.
During the march nota groan was heard
or word spoken. For some distance
before the door cactus plants had been
strewn upon the ground, and as The
barefooted cross-bearers approached it
one hesitated. Instantly half dozen
whips descended upon his bare should
ers and, with a bound, he sprang into
the thorny plants, his every step and the
footsteps of his followers being marked
with blood. As the torture grew more
terrible the chant grew louder, and the
thongs fell with more vigor. Reaching
the door of the house the procession was
lost sight of, sentinel guarding the en-
trance, aud only broken whips anG poles
aud blood bear witness of what trans
pired within. Issuing from the house,
the procession reformed and turned to
their house of worship, and 30 the hor.
rifyiDg exercises continued, one band of
penitents succeeding another, until night,
when grand procession and chant
wound up the exercises for the day.
During these marches to and from the
house of refuge, the scene at times was
too sickening for description. Men sub
mitted their bodies to the most merciless
fagellat!ons until, in some instances, the
bare muscle was seen quivering at every
blow. The whole proceeding was saw
aye attempt to honor the Easter season.