The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-18
THE YAoUI PROPHECIES.
Why the Mysterious Santa Teresa
Was Banished from Mexico


notice. says a correspondent,
that some enterprising reporter has
tried to make Santa Teresa responsible
Tor the Yaqui rebellion. Santa Teresa
Is at her home in Clifton, Ariz., and
has not been on Mexican soil since she
was banished some years ago.
Il nave heard the story of Santa
Ieresas life from her own lips, and
from her father, and I know that she.
never did have anything to do with
Indian uprisings in Mexico.
santa Teresa was born on her faith
ers farm, in the state of Sonora. Her
father was then a wealthy farmer,
residing more than 100 miles from the
Yaqui reservation. The Yaqui Indians
heard of the wonderful healing powers
of Santa Teresa, and a number of sick
Haquis had been cured by her. She
won their everlasting gratitude, and
their simple, superstitious minds en-
dowed the kind-hearted farmers
daughter with divine power.
'One day there came to the Yauui
settlement a priest. The settlement
had a little cathedral but no priest,
except such as occasionally visited the
village as this one did. The priest
round in the little cathedral a very fine
old painting which had been left there
by the SpaniardS. The priest wanted
the painting, and said he would take
it and replace it with another painting.
The Indians objected, and finally noti-
| fled the persistent priest that he should
not touch the painting. On returning
to his regular station the priest re-
! ported that the Indians had rebelled
/ against the Mexican government. AS
/ result of that report troops were
ordered to the Indian village to subju-
gate the rebels.
The Indians heard that the troops
were coming and supposed that they
were being sent to support the priest
and take their painting. War signals
flashed from every HILL and the Yaquis
/ gathered in force to protect their paint
/ ing of the Virgin. They went out to
meet the soldiers, after having taken a
vow that if they won the fight thev
would all so to see Santa Teresa and
take their wounded for her to heal.
We'll the battle resulted in the
slaughter of all the troops. TO re-
member their vow the Indians went into
the battle shouting, Remember Santa
/ Teresa" MeXicars hearing the battle
cry, concluded that Santa Teresa was
responsible for the uprising, when, as
q matter of fact, she did not know any
thing about it.
After winning the battle the In
/ dians headed for Santa Teresa's home.
It was long march, but they were GO
ing to keep their vow. Runners no.
titled Santa Teresa's father OF what
had happened, and told him the Indians
we're coming. He knew their visit
would cause the government to sus-
/ picion him, so he took his family and
hurried to the nearest military fort and
notified the officers Of the advance OF
the Indians. He returned to his home
with the troops. The IndiarJ, had
been there, and, finding Santa Teresa
gone, had left several of their wounded
and returned to the Yaqui country.
THE presence of the wounded Yaqus
in Santa Teresa's home was accepted
by the army officers as proof positive
that Santa Teresa had been aiding the
rebels, so she was ordered to leave the
country She did so, and has never re-
turned or had any communication with
the Yaqui Indians. So you can see her
banishment was a mistake, as was the
Indian uprising"