Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-10-16
AN ANCIENT MEXICAN CITY.
Ehe Scene of MaXiniIian,s Execution
Churches and Piazas.

side world, is Queretaro-capital of
the state of the same name, writes a
correspondent of the New York Post.
1t was founded by the Aztecs about
the middle of the fifteenth century,
and in 1881 was conquered by the
Spaniards, under Fernando de Tapia,
a lieutenant of Cortez 1t lies little
to tho south of the center of the re-
public, on the celebrated mesa central
Central table land) of Mexico. Hum
boldt gives its elevation as 6,363 feet
above the gulf, but modern engineers
place it some three hundred feet lower.
In 1856 King Phillip ". of Spain de-
clared it "a noble and loyal city" Its
present population is about 40, 900.
The old town has had more than its
share Of historical happenings. In
1910 the momentous year when the
patriot priest of Dolores, Miguel Hid
aJgo de Costello Che George Wash
ington of Mexico) struck the first blow
for independence, several stormy
meetings we're held here by revolters
from the Spanish rule From this
city, in September of the same year,
went the opportune notice-sent to
Hidalgo and Allende by the wife of
Collector Dominguez - which saved
the undrilled little army of patriots
from total determination. On May
80, 1S48, the treaty Of peace was rat
flied In Queretaro which closed the
war with the United States. On the
heights near the town the so called
battle (thnty against four hundrcd)
was fought under Col. BOcinos. In
1867, while MaXimilian was in coa-
mand, the city was besieged by the
liberal army, under Gen. Escobedo;
when, through the treachery of one
Of his officers, Col. Miguel Lopez, the
unfortunate emperor was taken
prisoner, and his forces suddenly sur
rended to the republicans. Then,
as all the world knows, Max
imIllan was tried before court-mar-
tial, and sentenced to be shot in
Queretaro. Persistent but unavail-
ing efforts were made to save his life.
The Princess Salm- -Salm rode to San
Luis Potosi (the seat of the republican
government, 160 miles distant), aud
upon her knees, before the plebeian
President Juarez, besought pardon
for the royal adventurer from Mira
mar. The government of the United
States was appealed to in vain None
of the Euro pean potenates ventured
to interfere; and Maximilian-with
his comrades in his arms,
Generals Miramon and Meiia
was shot on June the 10th, 1897.
His body was afterward taken to
Vienna for interment, and not long
since three plain slabs of dark-red
stone were erected en- El Cerro de las
Campanas over the exact spot where
the trio fell.
Like all Mexican towns, Queretaro
contains innumerable churches and
plazas. Among the latter, perhaps
the most beautiful is one In the center
of the city before the church of Santa
Clara, with broad -leaved banana trees
surrounding the antique fountain,
and its quaint old monument, erected
to the memory of the Marquis de
Villas del Aquila, former patron of
the place. Not less delightful is the
Alameda-a park of many acres,
which is the more delightful because
apparently uncared for. It's oddly
shaped benches Of pink tinted adobe,
set among weeds and wild flowers,
WOO the passer-by. Among it's cir
cular drive, under ancient groves of
ash trees, the aristocracy of the old
town, in their clumsily gorgeous
equipages, are wont to air themselves
at the sunset hour, while IN the leafy
shadows Lovers are always straying.
The market places are even more
picturesque and interesting than the
more romantic breathing places. In
them a crowd of buyers and sellers
are constantly vociferating in the soft
vowelled Spanish their wares, spread
upon the ground, under huge uu-
brella-like shades of canvas Or woven
straw.
Among the most noteworthy of the
numerous sanctuaries IN Queretaro
are the cathedral de San Francisco
and the churches of San Agustin,
Santa Domingo, Santa Clara, Ell Car
men de la Cruz, and Santa Rosa. The
finest is Santa Clara, with its exquis-
ite carvings in gilded wood, and the
old convent attached which in other
days was one Of the richest and most
aristocratic in all Catholic Mexico.
To me by far the most interesting Is
the tumble-down ruins of FL Carmen
de la Cruz, with monastry adjoining.
The winds and rains of $50 years have
almost effaced the inscri ption upon
the great granite cross which is set in
the pavement before the monastry
door. and all the stones surrounding
it have been worn hollow by the
knees of generations of worshipers.
Lingering IN this now deserted spot,
one can fancy the procession of cowl
ed monks. of the order called Padres
Camilos, each with his lighted candle,
fling out from under the gloomy
arches in solemn procession, chant
ing as they go, TO perform their even
ing devotions around La Cruz del
Carmen. Against the protest Of our
guide, we entered the dark and orunb
ling cloisters, stumbling over broken
pavements into the mouldy cells
where pious men spent weary lives
in perslstant effort to win heaven.
~, tho rroIIc of Gonna Of tho oorrid o,~c