The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-19
SAN SABA MISSION.


4
| the murdcrers of Dominiguez. The In
dians claimed that the act was committed
! by the CaboJtlanos and that they had
no power 20 surrender them. The fathers
| then proposed that If the Cabotltlanos
would receive baptism and locate on the
lands assigned them on the river near the
mission, they would forgive the past and
give them total absolution. Tie strange
agreement was consented TO by both par
ties and numbers of the wild Indians
came in and were baptized.
The clouds of war and trcachery now
seemed to be clearing up and "a brighter
day about to dawn on their beloved mis-
sion. Tho Indians seemed 90 be more
submissive and industrious than before.
Everything received new impetus ana
full confidence appeared 10 DO restored on
all sides. An abundance OF everything
was raised and their flocks increased, so
that the surplus above supplying thoir
material wants brought contentment ana
happiness All diligence and forethought
were exercised by the fathers to strengthen
the Notifications and Greco new buildings.
Large quantities Of ammunition were
also brought in from New Mexico, so as
to be prepared for any attack that might
be made by Northern tribes, whom they
believed To he under the influence of
French omiss aries. The inclosure around
the mission was enlarged and built of
stone the remains of which are still in
place. In fact, prosperity for several years
smiled on all the efforts of the fathers.
The mines were finally reopened. and
began 10 pour their wealth into the
Golfers of Monterey, Queretaro, chihuahua
and the Mexican capital The old story
was repeated. Avarice without con-
science ground down the Indians. Miners
ilocked i'm from Mexico, and acted worse
than their predecessors. Repeated calls
for assistance To quell the turbulent state
Of affairs were sent to the bishop, Co no
presented in person to the Niceroy. but
no attention was apparently given To
them.
AT last, driven to desperation, having
appealed in vain TO the fathers for re-
dress, the Indians formed u secret CON
spiracy with their old enemies, the Secos,
for the overthrow Of the mission. The
plans were deeply laid. The result was
the complete destruction of the San Saba
mission. with not u survivor To tell the
tale. The exact date even IL not known
some placing it in the summer of 1886
while Others date il as late as 1890.
Father Ignacio JimoneZ, in his His
tora dc las Missions del Norts, says
that "some of the Indian youths, who had
been baptized and indoctrinated in the
precepts Of the holy faith, and who es-
capped massacre at San Saba, in after years
cane to Presidio del Rio Grande TO at.
tend mass. They gave an account of the
destruction Of the mission as follows:
"On st Johns day, June 81, 1890, the
Indians under the guise of the most
profound friendship, gathered at the mis-
sion tn celebrate the -Eeeling entirely
secure, the fathers had made every propara-
tion to render the fiesta enjoyable TO their
dusky friends. Early In the morning the
Indians, mum Dering several thousand had
assembled on the plain and along the
banks of the river near the mission. At
a - II. elr q
and the mission Indians were permitted
To enter TO attend mass. During thisttme
the Secos and their allies had assembled
Mt n convenient distance from the gate,
and, with arms concealed, maintained "a
respectful demeanor until tho mission
Indians had passed In. Amongst these
were several Secos warriors disguised as
Indios mansos, who, wnen they had en-
tered the iHeiosHre, tarfied- ffettr the s.ttte
until the worshipers had entered tho
chapel. There were only thirty eight
soldiers in the garrison, and having been
completely thrown of their guard by tho
apparent quiet and friendly demonstra-
tions of the Indians, they seemed To pay
little or no attention to those who loitered
about the gate. The Indians on the out
side. seeing this, began TO close in Rradu-
ally toward the entrance and when the
sentry ordered them back he was seized
by two Of the disguised Secos and slain
served as "a signal for the beginning of the
boOdiest butchery evor recorded in the
annals of Spanish American history.
The Indians on the outside made
rush for the gate which was thrown open
by those who had entered disguised, and
before the soldiers could rally they We're
slain. One Of the fathers, hearing the
tumult rushed To the door of the chapel
and was cut down with "a machete.
Father Gregorio was cut down at the
altar, dyeing the cruciflx he held in his
hand with his life blood. The sacredness
Of the altar and the host had lost its in
fluence on the excited minds of tho wild
barbarians. Those who tried TO escape
from the walls were oyertaken by tho
Indians on tho outside and killed. Every
thing of value that could be horne away
was appropriated by the Indians, after
which the building was set on fire. Four
brass cannon were rolled off into the river,
and the chapel bell, which had been the
gift of the dsvout ladies of Toledo, Spain,
and suitably inscribed, met n like fate.
But the work of destruction did not end
here This scene Of carnage had only
served to fire the savagos with "a frenzy
for blood peculiar To barharians, and
the next move was toward the mines.
These were destroyed, and the miners,
who had remained away from tho mis-
sion in the morning, now shared the fate
of their companions. Not one escaped
tic HtNhgc NenRcHifc. lNcIN NtSlIto ol
tho works WAS DESTROYED, and tho mines
filed up with debris, the Indians going
so fur as to scrapc up the ashes where the
miners had their camp fires and pouring
them into the NINE 50 that not sign Of
their operations should remain.
The workmanship on this mission will
not compare with those around san An
tonic and I'll Paso. The gateway near
the northwest corner II tho only remain
ing sign of cut work. The large posts or
columns are OF one huge piece of rock, cut
into shape, with revels for massive gates.
The wear Of tho revels shows years Of con-
stant use. The remains OF the largo
arched cap, which but fow years ago
was in position, now lie on the ground
Both posts and cap are we'll covered with
names and dates, from the beginning ot
the century down to the present time
some OF the older ones hardly decii hcra-
bic. Prominent amongst the names that
Uf Bowie Is cut i'm large letters in the cen.
ter. No care has boon taken 60 preserve
the ruins; on the contrary, the enclosure
has heen used. and more or less disar-
ranged. for stock -pennlng purposes for