The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-24
AT MISSION SAN JOSE.
An Unusually Interesting Celebration o
GoI,p,hus nax

Columbus Day.
Correspondence Of THE MoRSINe CALL
Into the sleepy old town from every road
the crowds of people poured this evening, a
motley crowd, Catholic and Protestant, Per-
tuguese and American. Spanish and Indian,
yes, aud Indians, the last straggling few in
all this part of the State, barely half-hun-
dred-Mazalino and Pedro, born In the last
years of the last century. bent and white
with age, their children and ehildren's chill
dren, the honored guests of the day. A few
very old and feeble, very few young chill
dren, a stalwart few of middle-age, fine,
sturdy-looking men and strong women, yet
dying out-improvement is limited amalga-
nation is q failure, nothing is possible but
annihilation. Sitting to-day a squald rem
nant close under the altar, their sad faces
call for nothing but pity.
the town was gay with flags aud bun ting.
the Spanish and Portuguese colors flying
with our own stars and stripes
At 10 o'clock the procession started; John
Coffany, the grand marshal, and his aids,
MessrS. Powers, Burns, Murphy and
Healey. in advance. The Mission Brass
Band followed, playing the national airs.
After them came the convent pupils and
the children of the Mission public school,
some 200 in number. Their childish voices
rang out as the band played aud hundreds
Of tiny flags waved in the air.
The workingmen In regalia and with
banners floating followed. The fire brigade
and hook and ladder company turned ont in
force. After them again came the members
of the PentecoSt Society, carrying hand
some silk American and Portuguese flag.
The most interesting thing in the process
sion then followed-a float gayly decorated,
Columbus in boat rowing ia white-haired
old gentleman, G. A. bbeyl, who joined in
ha aeiD ai fhar
side were a few OF the Indians.
Bringing up the rear was the Young Mems
Institute, carrying handsome banner, and
carriages containing Rev. Father Caraher
and other cergymen. Then came citizens
from every town in the valley. Among those
walking was John l.. Beard, who was born
Ia tho Mission buildings some forty years
ago, just after 1t fell into private hands.
And indeed in the procession were people
connected in one way or another with the
history OF this country since Californ la has
begun her wonderful history.
The ambitious column marched and coun-
termarched, returned to the church, which
stands on the site of the historical adobe,
and entered. A grand high mass was cele-
brated the Jesuit Father being the celebrant
of the mass. the Rev. Father Leo, Superior
of the Franciscans of Golden Gate avenue,
San Francisco, was deacon, Rev. Father DE
Campo sub-deacon.
The sermon was by Rev. Father Caraher,
and could of course bs but upon the one
great subject-"Columbus. After kindly
greeting the Indians. he invited them to re-
main after the ceremonies to partake Of
sumptuous dinner which would be served to
them by the sisters under the old olives in
the vineyard back of the church.
After the religious services the procession
again marched to the schoohouse singing,
every body, my Country 'Tis of Thee"
amid shouts and cheers. The procession
disbands the celebration is over.
Up among the vines, under the shelter of
mammoth olives century old. haltdozen
feet in girth, tables are spread with tempt
ing food and dswhite-robed sisters wait upon
the Indians and make them welcome and
glad as they wander silently in by twos and
tbrees between the long rows of vines under
the olives. Going home in the long after
noon they call out in response as you drive
past, "Mucho bueno; adios. adiosp'
Mrs. l.. K. THANE.
Mission San lose Oct. 81 1892.