Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-28
CAME TO THE SURFACE.

An Alleged Miraculous Occurrence in
the New Mexican Town of IsIetn.
From the st. Louis Republic.
The strangest occurrence that has been
brought to public attention in this land of
wonderment is the cause of extraordinary
excitement just now at Isleta N. NJ. Mari
ano Armijo and the Hon. A. c. Debaca of
Albuquerque were recently at the quaint
Indian town, investigating the miracle for
themselves, and can offer no reasonable
theory in explanation Of it. The circum-
stances are these:
About two months ago the old men Of the
tribe held an all-night session in their IN
derground council chamber. and. in accord
ance with Instructions, the oldest chief
made formal call next day on Father
Deuchc, the Catholic priest, who has charge
of the parish. He told the man of God that
according to the tradition of the 1sleta 1t
was about time for Padre Paddilla to again
rise from his grave, as he had done at the
end of every cycle of twenty-five years
since the body was translated from Gran
Quvera and buried near the altar of the
Isleta Church. The clergyman was at first
inclined to scout the idea, as the records
of that historic ediilce threw no light on
the matter, but was finally induced to
make an investigation. The old chief out
lined the spot on the one side of the altar
where he claimed the remains were en-
tombed. Although there was no indication
of the rising of the body at that time, the
old chief informed the priest that the phe-
ncmenon would certainly occur the next
turn of the moon. =,
Father Paddilla, from whom the Pad
dilla takes its name, is a sort of patron
saint with the Isleta Indians, and many of
their prayers are directed to him. He is
supposed to have given up his life in their
cause in the sacking of Gran Quivera. sew
eral centuries ago, and when the lsleta
Church was erected the body was sacredly
removed there.
The priest became sufficiently impressed
with the story to communicate 1t to the
authorities at Santa Fe, and the story
even went TO Rome. He was instructed to
make a thorough investigation and keep a
close watch Shortly afterward Arch
bishop Chapelle visited the 1sleta Church
and heard the whole story from first
sources.
Now for the marvellous part of the story,
which has just taken place. All at once
there were Indications of the floor cracking
ever the place designated by the old chief,
as if the earth was being pushed up from
below as is reported to have occurred. The
displacement of earth became larger every
day, until finally the coffin came to the sur
face from a depth of twelve feet, the void
being filled by the Displaced earth falling in
The coffin is rude: trough-like structure
hewn out of cottonwood logs, and, strange
to say, is in a good state of preservation.
1t was difficult to remove the clumsy, hand
complete skeleton of a man. whose teeth
indicate that he had not reached advanced
years. A cowl, such as is warn by monks,
was in its place at the head of the coffin,
and silk stole, the priestly insignia of Of
flee, surrounded the body portion of the
skeleton. Both the cowl and stole are in
good condition and have not rotted in the
least The stole shows great antiquity, both
in design, make and characterization. The
priest removed one of the teeth, which he
preserved The coffin and its contents were
inspected by the awe-stricken people.
Messrs. Armijo and Debaca made a close
investigation and carefully observed the
disturbed portion of the church floor They
talked freely with the Indians about the oc-
currence and tried to reach some reasonable
explanation of it. Mr. Armijo thought some
strange popularity of the earth might ac-
count for the resurrection of the coffin, but
he is at loss how to explain the preserva-
ton Of the cottonwood box and the garments
mentioned. The Indians believe 1t is a genu-
Inc visitation from their sainted padre.