Arizona republican., 1895-06-01
Prescott and the Sur
 rounding Country.
Preparation for the Great Natal
 Day Celebration.
A Priest Surprised at Midnight by an Aggregation of Children
 Awaiting Baptism.

Special Correspondence of THE REPUBLICAN.
 PRESCOTT, Ariz., May 30.-The ride from Phoenix to Prescott should be taken by the day accommodation train, which departs at 6:30 a. .m., Phoenix time. The scenery all along the line is worth it. A good dinner at noon may be had at Congress. Prescott is reached at 5:3O.
 At Congress 250 men are working, The 40stamp mill is kept running day and night and the ceaseless rumble of | the plates becomes sound SO familiar that if it were through an accident to stop in the middle of some dark night, half the camp would be awakened. Rev. Fr. Kempker, assistant of Fr. Quito here, had an amusing experience at Congress last Sunday The camp had not been visited bv priest for several months. There were number of Mexican and Italian chil- dren to be baptized. The Italians ] were easily disp posed of, but there was a hitch about handling the children of manana.
 "How many of them are there?' was 1 asked of the aged Mexican who acted as spokesman.
 "Oh, muchos," said he with ex- asperating indefniteness.
 Half dozen, or ten?" asked the father.
 "Oh, fastante," was all the satisfac- ton he could get.
 "Well, have them here in the morn- ing at Il o'clock," said Fr. Kempker. At Il o'clock he v'as ready. but there was no sign of babes CT sponsors. Ali ter waiting for RI hour his friend, the Mexican, appeared ard explained that they were not ready. Word was sent to be on hand st o'clock in the even- ing. At the appointed t1uur-the priest was at the school house again in readi- ness for the ceremony. Again he waited in vain. only to make another appointment for 10 in the evening. Promptly again he was on hand only to 1 find no one in sight. He waited until Il o'clock and reluctantly went back to his lodging.
 | About midnight there was hammer ing at his door. The voice of the old Mexican WAS heard exclaiming "We got 'em." Fr. kempkeT arose and followed his guide to private cabin to find B choice collection Of eight or ten dusky infants in different stages of somnol- ence and vociferousness. Each was forthwith baptized and given suitable scriptural handle to carry through life. Fr. Kempksr say a 'iessivication" fol- lowed which was doubtless considered a very essential sequel to the ceremony. The Prescott people are taking 8 pardonabe pride ill the fact that their Fourth of July celebration committee went out one morning few days ago and raised $3.0O0 before dinner. A big celebration will be the result. Eiabor ate preparations are being made and the whole overloaded Salt River valley Is wanted to attend.
 The fire boys here indulge in daily practice and are confident of defeating the Phoenix team in the coming tour nament. One thing js certain if the Phoenix laddies expect to be in the con- test at Eli they must come here Hoon and train here. The attitude is about five times that of Phoenix and the air correspondingly bracing.
 Among the Pheniciens noted here today are Sheriff Orme, who rode all day yesterday in snowstorm at Flag staff, Mai. Lewis. Mrs. E. J. and Miss Bennitt, and Madam Mead.
 George Cook, the postoffice jeweier, returned from Winslow today. His partner, Hugh Bell, left here with his bicycle for few weeks vacation in Phenix and the valley.
 Business is brisk in Prescott, money plenty and lots of building.