Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-10-15


odist Episcopal church, and as most of his
work was among the lower classes he be-
came initiated into n circle that has al
ways carefully excluded foreigners
The sect is known rs Chiros. and il has
a number of peculiar ceremonies. one of
which is logging the devil. This is done
every Friday, that day being set apart as a
day of worship by the Chiros instead of
Sunday. In the seaport towns the cere-
mony takes place on board fishing smacks
or other craft owned by members of the
sect and often is attended by the entire
population of the village. The ceremony
usually is observed at daybreak, the time
when all business begins in Porto Rico, in
order TO avoid the heat of the sun After
a sufficient crowd is gathered around the
spot where the vessel is Inoored the life
size figure of a man. arrayed in grotesque
costume, supposed 70 represent his satanic
majesty, is dragged on deck and, amid
jeers. Kisses and curses. fastened to the
yardarm. For some time the figure is al
lowed to hang; then it is carried three
times around the deck of the craft and
finally fastened to the capstan or some
convenient post where the crowd proceed
to belabor il with clubs, shrieking and
yelling at the top of their voices that they
have killed the devil When the clothes
are cut into shreds, the figure entirely de-
nuded. exposing the block of wood that
serves as a head. it is repeatedly dipped
overheard and finally hauled in again
where the block of wood is chopped into
splinters and handed 70 the cook. who
burns them in the galley fire.
In such of the inland towns Le-e the
sect exists the ceremony is similar Early
In the morning the stranger will be awak-
ened with the hum of a hundred voices
approaching his dwelling.
1.-The first time / saw it." said Mr.
Maxfield, Il was aroused by what first
thought was the hum OF an approaching
storm, but which increased in violence
until around the corner OF the street
rushed a disorderly mob of men, women
and children, half breeds, Portuguese and
negroes, indiscriminately, shouting like
fends at the tops of their voices and drag
cling behind them the form of a man.
which they occasionally jumped upon and
kicked. My first impression was that
some unfortunate wretch had incurred
their wrath and they were wreaking their
vengeance on him. Hurrying on my
clothes. l rushed forth. hoping to save the
body from further mutilation at least.
Following the crowd 20 the public square,
i saw them halt and haul the body on to
the limb of a tree. Then saw for the
first time that the figure was stuffed with
straw Quickly the bundle of rags was
fastened TO the trunk. sticks were piled
4
merr1ly.
Around this pyre danced the disorder !
" crowd, yelling. screaming and heaping |
or the head of the figure. |
there was ar explosion. and the |
figure was blown to pieces. portions of |
blazing rags falling ON the heads OF the |
mob. A bag Of gunpowder had been fas-
tened around the neck Then, as though /
by magic. the fire went down, the hooting /
crowd dispersed, and it seemed but mo- /
ment when was LEFT standing alone with /
a scorched tree and heap of smoldering
rags
Another ceremony of this strange people
s called drowning The devil" and, like /
The logging process. this is also performed
,n Friday It is Outlines accompanied
With mere serious Consequences, for the
Tictirn is a man or woman of incorrigible
temper whom a neighbor has charged with
having devil
The leaders, or headInen. Of the sect de-
tote their time to the work and become
.depts in the art of jugglery II is nothing