Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-07-15
CHAMITA CELEBRATION.
$500 People Attend the Festivities.
Gorgeous Indian Costumes Ele-
gantly Entertained by Hon.
Samuel Eldodt.
Addresses By Well Known Oitizens-Affair
a Great Success.

$3.50
seen in New Mexico, with the possible
exception of the day of historical tab
leauX at the "Tercio" in 1888, was pre-
scented on Wednesday at the t~ri-centen-
NAL celebration at Chamita. The whole
affair from first to last was a grand sue
cess.
The special train from Santa Fee took
up about 200 passengers to the celebra-
ton. As it approached Chamita, two
long lines of Indians fiom the Pueblo of
San Juan, on horseback and goigeodsly
appareled for the occasion, were formed,
on each side of the track. The
whole vicinity and the surrounding
heights were covered with a crowd of
visitors, in carriages and wagons, on
horseback, OF foot, all awaiting the ar
rival of the train. The lines of Indians
referred to made a most effective pic
ture, as the costumes We're very brilliant
and a number had large ornaments of
eagle feathers on their heads. A spe-
cial body guard of six Indians was pro-
vided for the governor, and as Secretary
Wallace represented that office, he was
carefully attended by this guard of
honor throughout the day.
Led by Hon. Samuel Eldodt the con-
course assembled around a mass of ruins
which showed the situation of the
ancient town, and here Hon. L. Brad
ford Prince, chairman of the committee
of arrangements, called the meeting to
order and informed those present that
they now stood at the exact spot where
the conquestodores under Onate founded
their first city, precisely 300 years be-
fore. He announced that on account of
the lack of shade there, the exercises
would take place in a beautiful grove
on the east side of the river, near the
pueblo of San Juan.
An imposing procession was then
formed, led by the 200 brilliantly dressed
Indians and in which every one present
took part. So great was it's length that
the advance was quietly seated in the
grove before the latter part of the pro-
cession had yet started nearly a mile
away, and the number participating In it
was %variously estimated at from 5000 to
$500. In the grove Mr.. Eldodt had
erected a spacious platform, decorated
with flags and festoons of red, white
and blue, and this was quickly sur
rounded by the thronging multitude.
In the absence of Governor Otero,
from whom a letter was read regretting
his inability to be present, Secretary
Wallace made an excellent address of
welcome on behalf of the territory.
which was received with much APP
plause. Chairman Prince then referred
feelingly to General Jose Ma. Chavez,
who was born in the first veal of the
century, and is the only man living in
the United States who has held office
under three successive governments
without a change of residence, whose
feebleness prevented his hoped for at
tendance, and introduced his son, j. M.
c. Chavez, who delivered the address
of welcome on the part of Rio Arriba
county.
Letters We're then read from President
Mckinley and Governor Adams. of
Colorado, regretting that the business
of the war required their official atten-
tion elsewhere, in the case of the latter
after he had specially prepared an adj
dress to be delivered on the occasion
and made all arrangements to be pres
ent.
Hon. l.. B. Prince then made a brief
historical address, giving the dates and
facts in connection with the settlement
at San Gabriel under Onate, and the
previous visits to the locality by Cap
tain Barrio Nuevo in 1541, Espeio in
1888 and Castano in 1891. He also read
a list of 81 of the names of the com
p%anions of Onate, which are still repre-
sented by families in New Mexico, a
number of whom yet live in the neal
vicinity of the original settlement.
Hon. Antonio Joseph was then intro.
duced, and was followed by Hon. An.
tonic De Vargas, Hon. Mariana LARA.
goite and Hon. Sixto Chavez, all oil
whom made eloquent addresses, full OF
historical facts and patriotic fervor.
The enthusiasm of the audience was
fully aroused and found expression in
bursts of applause at every a~llusion to
the American flag and the present wal
for the liberation of Cuba.
A procession was then formed, led by
Acting Governor Wallace and his guard
of honor, preceded by the governor Of
the pueblo of San Juan, bearing a large
American flag.
Before entering the town, the house
tops of which were covered by dense
masses of people, the procession was met
by a counter-procession of Indians, pre-.
pared for the dramatic dance of the
Matachines. 1t is safe to say that this
spectacular drama has never been per.
formed in New Mexico in such gorgeous
costumes and with such magnificent
effect. The masks of the performers
were respondent with silver ornaments.
and the varied colors of the appropriate
costumes wa brilliant beyond descrip
ton. For over an hour the drama con.
tinued with an accuracy of impersona
ton and gracefulness of motion which
charmed every beholder and exhausted
the kodak supplies of nearly all the pic
ture taking visitors.
This and the subsequent "Baile de los
FranceSes' were the browning results O
the efforts of Hon. Samuel Eldodt, whose
desires had been enthusiastically second.
ed by the authorities of the pueblo. Al
the conclusion of the beautiful drama OF
MOntezuma and Malinche, there was all
intermission of an hour, during which
Mr.. Eldodt, ably assisted by his charm.
ing wife and her sister, delightfully."- en-.
tertained a large number of the visitors
lIOul UDIOuu UOUu " LIS uUSpludUlt uOIut
and in the cool arbors and shaded walks
of his beautiful garden.
At 2:3O the ceremonies of the day
were resumed by the performance
of the "Franceses" dance, in which bril-
liancy of costume and grace Of move.
ment harmonized in the production of q
most beautiful spectacle.
The railroad arrangements under the
able management Of Mr.. Helm were
admirable, ample Accommodations were
provided, and the train at the conclusion
of the ceremonies started on it's return
promptly at 4 o'clock, while all the roads
In the vicinity were lined with carriages
and horsemen returning to their homes,
The day was exceptionally favorable,
the rain Of the preceding night having
laid the dust and given a refreshing
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