Evening star., 1899-08-12


sugar and spices. When mixed with wa
ter, this compound is both palatable and
nourishing, and a single pound of it will
furnish subsistence to a Yaqui brave for
days.
The most noted Yaqui chief of the pres
ent century was Cajemi. He was born In
Sonora tE and during his boyhood
attended the local parochfai schools. At
the age of nineteen Cajemi Joined the Mex
ican army, in which he rapidly advanced,
becoming a captain at twenty-one AT
twenty-eight he was made colonel, and
shortly afterward was detailed for duty as
governor of the territory occupied by the
Yaquis In this capacity he continued for
three years. at the expiration of which
time he was ordered to rejoin his regiment
at Vera Cruz. Cajemi, however. had
wearied of military honors, and developed
ambitions of another character. Hence,
instead of complying with his recall. he is
sued a proclamation, declaring the Yaquis
a free nation under his leadership. At this,
Gen. Pesqueira, governor of Sonora, imme-
diately dispatched large body of troops
against him. This was met by 1850 va
quis with Cajemi at their head, and a ter
rifle battle ensued. Though vastly out
numbered, and ultimately Obliged to retire
to the mountains, the Yaquis inflicted great
punishment the Mexican forces, who
were unable to follow them. For the sue
ceeding three years Gen. Pesqueira kept up
desultory warfare against Cajemi, at the
expiration of which time another powerful
army was sent to annihilate him. This
latter force the Yaqui chieftain intercepted
ing on the Mayo river. Here another fierce
engagement took place. resulting in the
advance of the Mexicans being stopped.
The Yaqui Chieftaip betrayed.
The most celebrated of the battles waged
against this remarkable chief, however
fought in small valley near Caliente
In this conflict, though outnumbered four
to one by the Mexicans Cajemi and his
warriors came out victorious, the former
losing 300 men, while the Yaquis lost but
half that number.
For two years subsequent to this crush
ing defeat the Mexicans did little more
than act on the defensive, and Cajemi was
practically in control of the entire region,
which he terrorized by a constant guerrilla
warfare.
In 1888 Cajemi took up a position in the
San Miguel mountains, and every effort
on the part of the Mexicans to disodge
him therefrom proved futile. Finally, Gen.
Martinez, then in command of the Mexican
troops, resOrted to subterfuge In order to
decoy the Yaqui chief from his stronghold
One day priest, the godfather of Cajemi's
children, appeared in the camp of the hos
tile tribe. Going before the chief, he rep
resented that Gen. Martinez was weary of
the prolonged struggle, and was willing to
make satisfactory terms with Cajem pro-
vided he would meet him in council. At
first the willy chief declined to take the
risk, but eventually, after much persuasion
and every assurance of security, he con-
Sented to accompany the priest under flag
of truce into the valley for the purpose of
comforting with Martinez. No sooner had
he arrived here, however, than he was
seized and thrown into prison. A court
martial followed, in which Cajemi was ad-
judged guilty of treason, and sentenced TO
be shot. His execution took place at
point where fifty Mexican soldiers, whom
his followers had slain, lay buried. For
years afterward the scene of his death was
marked by a wooden cross.
When the Yaquis learned how their chief
had been betrayed and put to death they
were frantic with rage, and swore everiast-
ing vengeance, not only against the perpe-
traitors of the deed. but against every MEM
chose subchief known as Tetabiate, who
was distinguished for his reckless courage
and ferocity- The new chief at once insti-
tuted campaign against the Mexicans, the
memory of which to this day inspires the
settlers of that region with horror. In
every direction within a radius of $50 miles
of their mountain retreat the unsparing
hand of the Yaqui fell. During the terrible
months that followed the lives of hundreds
of ranchmen, miners, travellers and soldiers
paid the forfeit of Martinezs treachery and
for the first time in the history of the Va
quis it was reported that women and chill
dren were numbered among the slain.
Tetabiate's Ferocity.
Not long after his succession to the lead
ership of the hostile tribe. Tetabiate way
at Batamatal, within less than six miles of
Guaymas, and slew every member of the
command He then killed a burro and re-
moving its skin drew it over the body of
the Mexican captain. To crown his au-
dacity he next raised the body on a pole
and conveying it to a point within plain
view of Guaymas proceeded to taunt the
garrison by exhibiting his ghastly trophy.
The termination of the last war against
the Yaquis in May, 1897, was characterized
by much ceremony. Satisfactory negotia-
tiens having passed between the late Gen.
Torres, commanding the Mexican troops,
and Chief Tetabiate the latter appeared
at the village of Ortiz, on the appointed
day, at the head of 500 warriors chosen
to take part in the demonstration. An i'm
n,ense stand had been erected in the center
of the plaza and a great concourse of peo-
pie were assembled from all over the sur
event. The government was represented by
General Torres, at the head of 2,0OO Mexi-
can troops. After the signatures of the va
qui chief al.d the Mexican general had been
affixed to the treaty each made q speech to
the assembled multitude. General Torres
in his address complimented the Yaquis for
their bravery and endurance and Chief
Tetabiate in return paid high tribute to
Governor Sanchez of Sonora then delivered
patriotic Grafton, after which the MeKi-
can troops and Yaqui braves marched
around the grand stand, exchanging many
saiutes and otherwise overwhelming each
other with courteSieS The exercises were
succeeded in the evening by grand ball
and gorgeous pyrotechnic display; on the
following day a barbecue was given and
thus, with feasting, dancing and general
merryrnaking, ended one of the bloodiest
wars recorded in Mexican history.
The Song nj the