The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-07-25
SANTA FE, OLD AND NEW.
1T rs THE OLDEST TOWN IN THE
UNITED STATES.
History Records tho Discovery of SAINTS
ne a. Early 1888. While 81.
Augustine Was Not Found
ed Until A. ~. 1893.

OF d. Francis, II the capital trade
centre OF N. NJ, and until recently the
military headquarters Of the South
west writes n correspondent OF the St.
Louis Republic. II is the oldest seat
OF civil and religious government on
American soil. When Cabeza de Baca
penetrated the valley OF the Rio Grande
in 1888 he found Santa Fe flourish
ing Pueblo village. The history OF it's
first European settlements was lost
with most OF the early records OF the
territory by the destruction OF all the
archives in 1850. but the earliest men,
ton shows IL then TO have been the
capital and the center OF commerce.
authority and influence. In 1904 came
the first venturesome American trader
merchants who have made traffic over
the Santa Fe" worldwide in its
celebrity.
In the city OF Santa Fe, previous TO
1888, dwelt race dissimilar 10 any
now existing. They were neither
Aztec nor Indian, nor yet were they
the mound builders. Houses built by
these people are standing as con-
elusive evidence that they built not for
one generation, but for centuries.
Their manners and customs were like
those races who occupied the mountain
Gus regions of Northern and Western
Mexico. Resembling the Indian in
physical appearance, yet they lived
and constructed houses after the man
ner OF the earliest Aztec civilization.
In the Southeastern part OF the
ancient village OF Santa Fe just across
the Santa Fc river stand two monu-
men;s Of prehistoric architecture. the
oldest house and the oldest church in
America. Their exact age is unknown.
They stand as enduring monuments TO
"A race of people extinct. not of any in
tention or wanton neglect on their
part but for the continued wars waged
by savage Spanish explorers and still
more savage bands OF hostile Indians.
After driving the last inhabitant
from the village. the conquering Span
! iards set up a government Of their
own. and in 1850 after the close of
the conquest, built many houses that
are to-day standing In various sections
OF the city. On the south side OF the
! Plaza Juan de Otcrmin. the first Span
ish governor built his palace, the only
one ever erected in America. For
many generations the palace was occu-
/ pied by the Spanish governors and
I captain generals until forced or driven
out by the Indians in 1850 after be-
seiging the city for nine days Re-
manning In tho hands OF the Indians
for many years. IL was finally retaken
by tho Mcxicans. Tho palace was
again occupied by the Mexican govern
or and had been continually until taken
by the American forces in 1876 and
1S4s. Thus we have in the executive
mansion OF New Mexico perhaps the
oldest palace in the world. AS IL
stands to-day complete In all its APP
pointments with proper care thou
sand years may glide swiftly by, and
in its grandeur, outshining the ruins
OF Balbec or OF Tyre, tho American
people will rejoice in the antiquities
they possess. founded centuries before
the birth OF the grandest republic that
ever governed n people. II was In
this building in one OF the large
apartments opening In full view OF the
plaza that General Lew Wallace fin
ished that wonderful book that has
done 80 iLSch toward evangelizing the
world spreading the gospel truth
before millions and making the name
OF its author famous in all lands. "Bcn
Hnrn was given 20 the world by Gen
I 4. l.. II
Mexico, occupying the Same building
that has served as the executive man
sion for more than three centuries by
the Spanish. Mexican and American
governments.
On account OF Us antiquity and OF
is position rs the mos. northern out
post Of Spanish civilization.
Santa Fc claims attention. II is OF
another civilization, and one feels rs
In a foreign land. The historic old
churches OF San Miguel and Guada-
loupe were erected by the Franciscan
Fathers, who accompanied the Span
iards In the country IA missionaries,
the first about 1880 the second some
fifty or seventy-hve years later. In
1850 the Indians rebelled against the
Spaniards and drove them from the
country. They mt once burned down
the chapels and other public buildings
and residences; collected the churcn
saints on the plaza and burned them
forbid the use OF word OF the Spanis.l
language and sworc their intention "a
wash away the baptism OF the Catholic
priests. and allowed those who had
been married by them TO put aw1y
their wives and take others. Thsy
utterly destroyed everything pertain
ing 20 the Spaniards. Twelve yea rs
later the Spaninrds returned and again
reduced tho Indians 10 submission.