The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-29
HIS COFFIN CAME TO THE SURFACE
An Alleged Miraculous Occurrence
in the New Mexican Town of IsIeta.


From the ST. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Albuquerque, N. M, Dec 13-The strang
est occurrence that has been brought to
public attention in this land of wonder
ment is the cause of extraordinary excite
ment just now at Isleta. Mariana Armi-
jo, and the Hon. A. c. Debaca of this city
spent yesterday at the quaint Indian town
investigating the miracle for themselves,
and can offer no reasonable theory in ex-
PLANTATION of it. The circumstances are
these:
About two months ago the old men of
the tribe held an all-night session in their
underground council chamber, and, in ac-
cordance with instructions, the Oldest
chief made formal call next day on
Father Deuche, the Catholic priest who
has charge of the parish. He told the
man of God that, according to the tradi-
ton Of the Isleta, it 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 Grau Quivera and
buried near the altar of the Isleta church.
The clergyman was at first inclined to
scout the idea, as the records of that his
toric edifice threw no light on the mat
ter but was finally induced to make an
investigation. The old chief outlined the
spot on the one side of the altar where
he claimed the remains were entombed.
Although there was no indication of the
rising of the body at that time the Old
chief informed the priest that the phe-
nomenon would certainly occur the next
turn of the moon.
Father Paddila, from whom the Pad
dilla takes its name. is 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 Qui-
vera, several centuries ago, and when the
Isleta church was erected the body was
sacredly removed there.
The priest became sufficiently Impress
ed with the story to communicate il TO
the authorities at Santa Fe, and the story
even went to Rome. He was instructed
to make a thorough investigation and
keep close watch. Shortly afterward
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 crack
ing over the place designated by the old
chief, as If the earth was being pushed
up from below, as is reported to have oc-
CURED. The displacement of earth be-
came larger every day, until finally the
coffin came to the surface from a depth
of twelve feet the void being filled by
the displaced earth falling in The coffin
is a rude, trough-lilSe 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-wrought nails. The interior reveal
ed the complete skeleton of a man, whose
teeth indicate that he had not reached
by monks. was in its place at the head
of the coffin, and a silk STOLE the prestly
insignia of Office. 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
ornamentation. 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 occurrence and tried TO reach some
reasonable explanation Of II. Mr.. Armljo
thought some strange PECULIARLY OF the
earth might account for the resurrection
Of the coffin. but he Is AZ a loss how 10 ex-
plain the preservation Of the cottonwood
box and the garments mentioned. The
Indians believe % Is a genuine visitation
from their sninted padre.
Mrs. suburb. ! thought you said u
was the little boy next door who was
making an the nOifoF
tAftie Johnnie 80 n WaH ma ! waa
hitting him with q etlek.~'st- biga