The herald., 1895-05-19
saint Teresa Half Mexican and Half Indan Carrying Alo
Image of the Virgin, Leads Her Fanatica
Army Into Two Pitched Battles
TALL GRACEFUL Dark Daring owoman and Dead ShotThe Frontier
Towns Alarmed and the Texas Rangers Are Called On
Down the Rebellion

anu III tn6 mluSt OF rOuSH anu tllHl
settled country. an American Joan OF Arc
has arisen. with trappings and surround
ipgs as picturesque. if not as grand and
imposing as her historical namesake OF the
fifteenth 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 dainty white with the Su-
prcme Being among the clouds depicted
OH one side and the annunciation on the
other, ''Saint" Teresa advances on horse
back with small wooden image in her
hands made in the form of the Virgin,
it's paint worn and blistered from expos
ure to the weather, but yet sufficient
talisman to muster to her side hundreds
of followers. And it is interesting to
know that this extraordinary woman
rides her morse astride.
1t seems almost incredible that in this
learned day and generation such move
ment. built on superstition alone, could
be possible. When reports of the Mexican
saint first came in to the cities OF Tex
as they were laughed at and set aside.
Not for one moment was 1t believed that
a plain and simple frontierswoman could
exert such powerful SWAY. But an inves-
tigation by the New York World has proved
the story to be true. 1t has been verified
by communications from the sergeant OF
company Of Texas rangers and the pre-
siding justice of Presidio county. Such
proportions has the revolt assumed that
the MeXicans and Americans ON both
sides of the Rio Grande have been for a
fortnight taking active measures to pro-
tect their lives and property. Outlawry is
rampant.
s..It is border war in which this new
Joan of Arc figures as general backed up
by 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 the next stealthily ride into
the rich mining country OF chihuahua.
and sweeping like whirlwind, head
ed by this mountain woman, bearing the
image high above her head, her black
hair falling far below her waist, her boz
som undulating. stampede and sack the
little Mexican towns.
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 wafarre, seem power.
less to handle the elusive mob. Several
farce battles have been fough hit, and blood
has been spilled, but Immediately after
each con fiict the Saint has disappeared
across the river, and her followers have
melted away for the time being.
The historic parallel. to be sure, is not
quite accurate, for " Saint = Teresa has
no government behind her, and not a
sign of regular troops. At best it is
but sporadic revolt, but the woman Is
showing such remarkable generalship. and
is posses sed of so much magnetism, that
despite the handful Of fanatics that is be-
hind her she is today stronger than ever.
She has come like tornado among the,
Mexicans, so used to guerrilla warfare.
Less than month has elapsed since she
first appeared on the border land and
by imprecation and prayer persuaded the
ignorant fanatics to follow her
Maria Rebeca. and. although no trust
worthy eyewitness has had the chance
to examine her closely as yet, she is be
lieved to be the famous Teresa de Cevera,
who, little over year ago, melted
bloody riot among the Tomechic Indians
of the Sierra Madre. The Mexican au.
thorities caught her in the act then, and
forcsd her to leave the country. From
Mexico she crossed over to Nogales Ariz..
in which little settlement she performed
miraculous cures. Her reputation spread
among the low-caste Indians and "Greas
ers' of the territory and extended over
the Mexican boundary.
Regarding her early days there is little
for the biographer to touch upon. Born
of a Mexican father and a half breed In
dian mother, of an Arizona tribe. she has
in her blood all the Mexican gallantry,
dash, daring and intrepidity. and an ade-
Quate amount OF Indian cruelty as well.
Physically the Mexican traits are mainly
dominant. The Saint Teresa of the I'M
age is tall. graceful and dark. Not an
ounce ofsuper6uous flesh eucumbers her
movements.
Even more than the Jeanne d Arc of
history. she was born to be leader OF
men. Her 1.-THE, slender figure, short
sairted, gathered, with her neck we'll open.
and brilliant handkerchief knotted
about her throat gives her altogether
such mannish appearance that the story
has gone about that Teresa is a man. 1t
is only when in actual conflict that the
Illusion is dispelled.
The actual revolt started on the evening
OF March l6 For several days previous
Saint Teresa had been prosecuting in
the little Mexican village OF El Polva' a
few miles from the town of Presidio del
Norte, displaying her image. praying and
calling upon the low-class inhabitants of
the country round about to follow her in
great and glorious movement for the
regeneration of Mexico, the overthrow of
the civil government, and the establish
ment OF a Of a religious kingdom.
She proclaimed herself to be saint. an
lESplIeu HtoScnScl lIOiil ncdtcHs 5cut W
relieve the people from suffering and pow
erty, and to guide them directly to the
holy virgin. The enthusiasm grew un-
bounded and continued unabated. The
people at El Polve believed her and
Hooked about hor by hundreds. Standing
In the plaza, Saint" Teresa held her i'm
age at arms length toward the sky and
declared, that she came direct from heaven
and could perform miracles. The civil
authorities arrested her and placed her in
Ell Polve's tiny jail, but vainly for with
in an hour the Jail doors were broken
open by the mob and the inspired maid
en- was earned out in triumph.
Ell POlve faces the town Of Mulato, and
there it was that the first armed resist
ance was made to the fanatics. The gov
ernor OF Chihuahua, upon news of the
riot, wired that the "Saint" land her chief
followers should be arrested without de-
lay. Teoiilio Vasqusz, the presidente of
Presidio del Norte, in whose territory
Mulato lies, at once went there to carry
out the order. Though his little Mexican
mayor had but few soldiers at his COM
mand he pushed them directly forward
and q sharp pitched battle ensued, con-
tinuing until dark.
AS luck would have 1t, there were no
casualties among the fanatics, but Presi-
dent VasqueZ was severely wounded in
the shoulder. and one OF his officers was
killed. By an odd coincidence it was
Vasu.ez's wedding eve. but the intrepid
soldier it is related, went to tho altar the
next day, despite his injury.
Thu "Saint'' herself, with "a large band