New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-31

growing In intensity. Tho Spanish OWL aud military
authorities looked ustfuy upon these leagues OF hne
osates they oroula cd charges ocruoty against tho
pricss In logging Indians They poisoned tbs minds ~
tho homo Government with suspicion ~ undue ambition
o The mission Fathers 10 erect All occlosnsca Kingdom
rule should be- perpotuatrd Tho year 1884 saw tho
mlssiont scoularlod ana placed under control Of tho
ruled by out by the central government, meant
Hpolnton aud speedy ruin Tho Governor was author
Olhor state piOpcrty.
THE WORK or sPoLIATroY.
Thus In ten years the valuable nerds which had been
accumulated under the OF the Francscans dwndlcd
away largo part OF them slaughtered for the hides ana
alow; the Indians who at the time OF the cdlct OF secu
arizltOn estimated to number 20 600 In single
decade reduced TO 5000 The others retreaed TO
Their mountain homes and resumed tho prccariOus life
from which the priests had rescued them. few priests
still cling 20 their old homes. but the heart was gone
from their work The buildings allowed to fall into
decay, the fields were titled only by small number OF
indians all the system which wrought sIch wonders in
the previous half century lost Finally in Marcn.
1916 under the corrupt rule OF Governor Pho Pc) the
mission prOpery.was declared liable 70 bankruptcy Pco
sold many valuable tracts for song; leagues o: rich
lana he gave away 10 his friends; night and left ne scat
"reu ue accumulitl0nS or the Fathers IN the re"
months which remained before the occupation ~ tie
country by the United states Government lie not only
ruhlessy despoed the MISSIONS bat ne left legacy %
litigation over false titles which Ia, been one Ot the
OF nearly all their la ds and herds decision a,-ed
by the United states Land Commissioner, restoring the
church buildings and the remnants Of land to the Catholic
Church. But they now only sad reminders ~ their
iOrmer wealth aud glory the churches in ruin aud decay
am me lands worked by humble retancrs or tue
once powerful mission.
THE OLD SAN CARLOS CHURCH.
sOllte reverence il there for antiquity this State tina
the old church OF San Carlos de Monterey il the first 70
be preserved from decay This effort tie finest
piece of church architecture the coast ia due to Father
Casanova the parish priest at Monterey himself the Gus
todan Of Franciscan church which is nearly hun
dred years Old. and still in excellent atom -Four
years ago paid visit the Old mission church OF San
Carlos. Then it roOncss, and WiudDwlcss. With tie
fog from the driving through It's abandoned walls
yet spite OF tie fact that the adobe portions the
structure had crumbed away. IL was still imposing in
the beauty of its contour and colorng. 1t 10
years old, yet Its massive walls were stanch "a when
laid by the careful hands the builders many OF the
details OF decoration had survived tho ravagcs OF
and the vandalism OF the irreyerent II is built OF
chalk stone. which lends itself readily to carving OF
ornaInentstlOn and to which time. and wind have
given deep mellow tint like weIther-sains marble. IL
stands hill, overlooking the beautiful Carmel Bag,
little estuary OF the ocean and the ser beyond Tie
waters of this bay OF deep violet color, which
thrown into relief by the gterng beach; beyond is the
Old Portuguese whaling station and the bold headand Of
Point LOoos; while TO the left is the far Carmel valley
covered with the thousands OF mission cattle
for the most part given over to the spasn0dc growing OF
the American staple wheat About tue only tangible
trace OF the early Fathers IL the hne pear orchard
the church enclosure many OF the trees being e
In grth and fifty feet In height The church building it
SELL IA 100 feet long 10y forty feet In bre tIh. with
spacious nave. Until recently the sands had Omitted in
aud covered the noor and weeds grew high ones
head sithn the sheltered enclosure. But nothing but
complete decay could spoil the fine lines Of the arches OF
the roof, the noble tower which to stand guard
over the whole and the artistic window m the
Tie work OF restoration has been fairly well done. but
nothing but time can harmonic the new and the old. |
The modern additions have painful air OF and
b. the artistic eye the church farmore pictures
s deSOati0n A good floor has bacn put IN CLaucel
and pulpit builtthc eTunhng side wall has been rebuff T.
and overa has been thrown substantial uUt as nearly
like the original I'm form possible. few years will
tone down the crulencss OF this work aud then the Od
mission will once more nave that mellow look Of age
which once it's most attr active feature.