Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1891-08-30
OLD MEXICO.
Interesting Notes from Ia
palpa, JaliSCO.
Midst Rich Fields of WaV-
ing Corn,
Sugar Cane and Grain Ready for the
Sickle,
Ignorance. FetJered by Super
stitioU. Reigns.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
TAPALPA. JAmsco, Aug. Is, 81.


EDITOR PROsPEcToR: On August
Sth we procured horse and went to
Atoyuc, city of some 5000 people. on
the shores Of laguns Ssyula, eighteen
miles distant. At the suburbs of Say
ula we entered broad and shady lane,
at the head of which under the shade
of an immense spreading fruit tree
stands a stone cross erected by the
Jesuit fathers, bearing the date 1911
Following this lane three miles, which
is planted to fine shade trees whose
branches form a circumference of 80
feet we come to the beautiful sugar
plantation Amatillan, con taining 1000
acres II cultivated land As the sugar
business OF the state of Jalisco is over
done, the proprietor of this immense
tract of land contemplates turning it
into a coffee plantation. One hours
ride at brisk pace brings us TO the
shores OF laguna de Sayu,a, whose
waters cover some l20 square miles of
surface. The entire lake is surround
ed by rich fields OF corn and small
grain and dott,.d here and there by
little villas, each containing a white
church and a school house.
As we approach the lake we ride
80. 4 -. q. .. ;,.,r,,.,,-o o,gI F,-r,.1 ,-...
the road of fresh banana leaves. flow
ering shrubs and rushes gathered from
the fen near by, and the road is sirewn
with many bright colored and frag-
rant flowers for some distance. We
were.at our WIS end 10 figure out this
strange sight, but proceeding on Il
short distance We met a native who
informed Us that it had not rsincd for
some ten days and the Indians had
that morning taken the
VIRGIN OF AMATILLON,
OF the Rain Queen, from the hacienda
and were carrying her to Los Puentas,
some nine miles distant, and strewing
her path with flowers, SO as to make
her morning journey pleasant, thereby
inducing her 10 make 1t rain. Under
few more arches and over several
stretches Of flowers which looks cruel
IL frample under the horses rough
feet and we are IN with the process
sion, which moves along quietly with
bare heads and not a word Is spoken
among all these at least 800 people, all
the native Indian iaru ers, men,
OF t is mot!.y group Was the idol, in
size about like a ten-year-Old girl,
dress. d in q gaudy low robe and
perchtd upon "A throne, which rested
toy me ms Of poles ON the shoulders of
four pretty young Indian girls OF fine
physique and wearing crowns of
bright flowers. A great umbrella was
carried over the Rain Queen while the
maids Of honor took the full benefit of
the sun. Bright flags and banners
we're conspicuous and the women and
girls carried long poles with parrots
perched upon them. Ten minutes
ride with the natives brought US 20 = n
immense rookery, amongst which
sIoOd an old church, into which the
idol was taken, cb"ereh by showers of
floral offerings and fire rockets.
PRAYERS WERE GIVEN
in a low monOtonous tone for some
ten minutes, during which time l
stood under the shade OF the trees
among the old ruins with the natives.
confidence that rain would surely fall
ia few days- By hook or crook il
raiued that night and the natives, poor
simple minded dupes, fully believe in
The power Of the virgin idol. When
told them that il rAined abundantly in
the land Of the "gringo," where such
things as idols we're strangers To US,
they only replied that we were Gods
favorite people"
All such demonstrations as the
above have been recently prohi bited
by the Mexican Congress in any mu-
aicipality, yet on my second day.
arrival in Aioyac / Witnessed a SINH
lar procee,iing, only more so.
The virgin Goudalupe and the image
Of Christ IN wax and life size, with
bruised and bleeding knees, great
cut showing IN his side, from which
the black blood was oozing, and face
ia the most painful contoriions, all
lie like, were carried through the
p'i cipal ihoroughfares followed by
tie middle and lower classes, carrying
lighted wax candies and murmuring