Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-11-24
IL EsPR1rU DEL ORC.

we have had historical connection:
but Il Is mistake. The ldea might
have been original with our ancient
teachers, but at the same time the
western world can claim It ln legend
that strikes deeper and is more i'm
prcssive than the epigrammatic say
ings Of Aristidcs or Diogenes.
Prevalent among the native rincrs
of Mexico, more especially throughout
the states of chihuahua, Durango and
Nuevo Leon, there is myth handed
down from the Toltecs to the Aztecs,
aud through them to the present half
breeds, respecting an ogre whose In
dian name translated into Spanish is
Espirltu del Oro," or the Spirit Of
Gold. This imaginary being is a re-
ality to the supcrstitious people, who
yet live much in accordance with the
preccpts Of the ancient teachings and
religions, and even taken up and earn
estly believed in by the ignorant Mex
leans. BY common report this ogre is
a dwarf of most hideous aspect. His
head, far above the natural size, is
fronted with a face more hideous and
horrible that that of any other guome
or goblin in the Aztec or Mexican cat
egory Of mythical devils. His eyes are
eyes of firelike resplendance glowing
like Goals ia the darkest recesses. His
armssare long, reaching almost to his
feet when standing erect, and his
strength is SO phenomenal that no
man, though giant he might be, has
ever yet been known to getaway when
once in his clutches.
He inhablts the dark drift and pas
sage ways in the deepest and richest
gold mines, where, without other
light than that emitted by his lumin-
GUS eyes, he passed from point to
point, remaining invisible when he so
wishes. When he meets miner car
rylng his load Of precious mineral,
Ginning up some ladder unaccompqn-
led, threading the tortuous incllnes,
he pounces upon him and chokcs him
to death. He has never yet been
known to appear TO company, and 10
only few instances has lone miners
seen his ocre-like form gliding through
the galleries and escaped the death by
strangulation that he always deals
out.
When in going or coming from their
work the miners come upon a dead
companion, whose face is swollen and
distorted beyond measure, and whose
eyes protrudlng from their sockets,
tell tale Of fear and horror. they east
him into the deepest hole and it is
hcnceforth known that the mine is
haunted and cursed by the demon.
From that time on the workmcn re-
fuse to go below the surface except in
bodies, neither will they separate af-
ter going down, and il there are a few
more repetitlons OF the strangling it
will be found impossible to Gnd a man
willing to work for any price.
Sometimes it is said the demon
comes lihc fog or mist, moving sill
emily through the vaults tunnels like
a white shadow, but blighting every
human that he succeeds in enwrap-
ping. In this form he has been seen
many times and the witnesses escaped
though they say it was always in dark
ness, their lamps having gone out with
the first faint OF his breath.
Where gold is found in large guam
titles this ogre is sure to be, sooner or
later, and his appearance is sure
sign Of great richness. The man to
whom he appears though, is doomed;
and so strong is the belief that though
he may escape once, he does not try
TO avoid the spectre a.a'u. In proof
of this, Temochin Indian at the
Dolores mine, in Sonora, told me that
not month before, one of the work
men had been found in one OF the gall
larics In a dead faint. Upon being re-
suscItated he had seen El Esplrltu del
Orc. On the very next day however,
he went into the same gallery and a
few hours later was found dead from
suffocation. 10 the Indian mind this
was sufficient, and dozens OF rich prop
critics are today left unworked in the
state Of Durango, because the Indians
have an idea that they are haunted
by this demon.
or course the miner will recognize
at once that the cause Of ali the tTOu-
bic is choke damp. 1t puts out the
light at times; does not cause death,
but instead faintness that lasts for
hours, and comes In the form OF a
shadow or dense mist. The idea Of
the personality is Of course the crea-
ture of superstition, but the fact re-
mains true nine cases out OF ten when
a company Of workmen are met by it,
none escape.
The myth goes further, and man
who has gold that came out OF mine
cursed by the demon is at all times
A. frsn