The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-18
A TERROR.
"Saint" Teresa and Her Fol-
lowers in Mexico.
A Woman Who Claims to Be Inspired
by the Virgin Mary,


religious riot took place this week near
Preside del Norte, just across the river
from Texas. The several hundred follow
ers of the so-called Saint" Teresa, who
was driven out of that part Of Mexico
few weeks ago, after a conflict with the
state troops, have been threatening another
outbreak ever since. They obtained fire
arms and ammunition, and, with stone
image at the head of their column, have
been marching from one river hamlet to
another, working up the ignorant inhsbi-
tants to high pitch Of religious excite
ment.
A force of State Guards attacked the
fanatics for the purpose Of dispensing
them and capturing their stone image.
The mob resisted. In the fight that took
place four of them were killed and several
wounded One of the State Guards was
killed. The image was captured and the
rioters dispersed
Teresa's History.
Down on the shores Of the Rio Grande,
and in the midst of rough and thickly
settled country, an American Joan Of Arc
has arisen, with trappings and surround
ings as picturesque, IL not rs grand and
imposing, as her historical namesake Of
tho 18th century. Like the Maid Of Orleans,
this modern maid of northern Mexico Of
the state of chihuahua has mission that
at first sight seems purely religious one.
While Jeanne d Arc carried before her
the standard of white, with the Supreme
Being among the clouds depicted on one
side and the annunciation on the other,
saint" Teresa advances on horseback
with small wooden virgin, its paint
4 ~.
weather, but yet sufficient nsaisman to
muster TO her side hundreds of followers.
And IL Is interesting TO know that this ex-
traordinary woman rides her horse sstride.
IL is border war In which this new
Joan OF Arc figures as general, backed up
by a mob of uncivilized Indians and low
class Mexicans, religious enthusiasts OF
the most despicable type, who one day hide
themselves on the American side of the
river, in the ravines and amid the sand
hills with which that region is dotted, and
tho next stealthily ride into the the rich
mining country of Chihuahua, and, sweep
ing like a whirlwind, headed by this
mountain woman bearing the image high
above her head, her black hair falling far
below her waist, her bosom undulating,
stampede and sack the little Mexican
towns.
Hard to Catch.
The law and order authorities of north
ern Mexico are at their wits ends. Their
troops avail little, and even the United
States rangers of the region clever scouts
and used To Indian warfare, seem power
less to handle the elusive mob. Several
fierce battles have been fought and blood
has been spilled.
Born of Mexican father and half
breed Indian mother, of an Arizona tribe,
she has In her blood all the Mexican gal
lantry, dash, daring and intrepidity, and
an adequate amount of Indian cunning as
we'll. Physically, the Mexican traits are
mainly dominant. The Saint" Teresa of
the image is tall, graceful and dark.
The actual revolt started on the evening
of March 10. For several days previous
saint Teresa had been proselyting in
the little Mexican village Of El Polve, a
fcw miles from the town of Preside del
Nortc, displaying her image, praying and
calling upon the inhabitants of the coun-
try round about TO follow her in a great
and glorious movement for the regencra-
ton of Mexico the overthrowing of the
civil government and the establishment of |
"a religious kingdom. She proclaimed her
self TO be n Saint" an inspired messen-
ger from heaven, sent TO relieve the people |
from suffering and poverty and TO guide
them directly to the Holy Virgin.
Has Many Followers.
The enthusiasm grew unboundcd and |
continued unabated. The people at FL |
Polve believed her and hockcd about her |
by hundreds The civil authorities ar |
rested her and placed her in El Polve's |
tiny Jail, but within an hour the Jail doors |
were broken open by the mob and the Gin |
spired" maiden was carried out i'm tri- /
umph.
BY profession Teresa IL q medicine wo- |
man. and has made n great reputation as |
n healer of diseases and wounds by the |
laying on Of hands, incantations and the |
application of certain mysterious liquids |
she always carries in TASKS hung about |
her neck. She hears voices I'm the air and |
sees visions She claims that no bullet |
can hit her. and IL Is said that some Of the |
best shots In the army have tried TO kill |
her I'm vain
Just now she Is said 10 be sffYely In
trenched in her mountain stronghold, |
practically safe from disturbance, arrang- |
ing for more raids on the valleys and re
fusing 90 see or treat with commissioners
the government Of chihuahua sent To offer
her full amI>'sty IL she would only aban-
don the Joan Of Arc role and become once |
more the peaceful medicine woman.
IL looks rs though Teresa had the better
OF the situation at present, and might
make the government considerable trou-
BILE before she Is killed or captured. She /
has the ignorant and supcrstitious people
oil with her, and hcr undoubted ability a.
o leader makes her an antagonist with
large powers Tor mischief j