Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-11-19
BURIED TREASURE.
A scrap ofIIIstory TWO Centuries %

a scrap of History TWO Centuries Old.
In August 1850. the Pueblo Indians
and Their more savage all cs, in "a COM
bncd movement. drove the Spanish
settlers from Santa Fc and other points
in the northern portion OF this territory
from their homes. At the same time
the missions throughout New Mexico
were destroyed, and the Franciscan and
other monks slaughtered whenever
they fell into the hands of their merci-
less enemies IL were also the natives who
hal embraced the Christ an religion and
refused TO become apostates. The refu-
gees from Santa fc and other pc nts
north when but Il few miles from
Socorro. were SO soreiy pressed that
they were about TO succumb TO their
savage foe, when large body OF armed
men from this point came 10 their res
cue and defeated the rebels The unit
cd Spanish forces reiterated 10 SocOrro.
then known rs the IN IS on Of san Mig
uel The poor. hunted Spaniards, find
ing no other means Of testfyng the
gratitude, named the place "Socorro y
which means surcor or reliei-a name
il has ever since borne, though the par
iSh continues 20 be known rs that OF san
Miguel
Acccsons to the population Of Socorro
continued TO arrive rapidly from the
various missions which had been des
troyed and deuopulat d by the insurgcnt
( Pueblos. and THIS great Increase III their
number made sad havoc with the sup
ply of provisions IN the place, and rs the
crop, in the vicinity had been destroyed
ii soon became evident that the town
would. sooner or later, have TO be aband-
= oncd by il, brave defenders. Another
danger also menaced the place in the
form of rapid concentration of Indian
/ forces who having devastated the other
settlements. were rapidly surrounding
| SocOrro, and would soon present such
an overwhelming superiority in numbers
/ that retreat on the part Of the people OF
/ this city would be impossible. As these
facts became more apparent council
was called. which result al la decis-
/ ion to Withdraw from the place during
/ the n chit and retreat 90 El PasO. No
sooner was this decided upon than it
was put into execution. and the church
/ treasures. consCcratcd bells, and church
ornaments, Is well as much private
/ treasure. under heavy escort WAS con-
viewed o point within the present city
/ limits and in the dead of night was buri-
, eel.
The eva ualion Of Socorro took place
quietly. and when the sun arose the
| savage entered the place, plundered
| what va, lift. and set lire 10 the town.
The gallant inhabitants escaped to l..
Paso and Socorro remained in its
abandonment and solitude until the
year 1916, when it was reoccupicd,
I principally by settlers from Belcn. La
iona, and other points above. Twenty
five years ago Mr. :. Nrain made
some effort to recover th treasures
which had been buried 80 long bat fail
ed. There is no doubt whatever rs to
the fact of TINS cache having been made,
and sooner or later someone will stumb-
le upon this wealth By accident or as
the rcsui; OF systematic search. This
VIII add several pages 10 the church
records. which VIII no doubt be recover
ell at the same time, and throw light
on the history of this part OF the terri
/ tory which IS Row wrapped in mystery
and oblivion. --- SOc1rr0 g. 81 BUl'i0H,