Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-06-25
SAN JUAN FESTIVAL
1t Attracted Hundreds of People to
the Quaint Indian Pueblo On
the Bio Grande.
INDIAN DANCES And RACES
The Braves We're In War Paint-A Visit
to the Delightful Groves Around Cha
mita-A Well Attended Excursion
From Santa Fe.

The annual feast Of st, John the Bap-
tist took place at San Juan, about five
miles above Espanola, and about one
mile and half east of the Denver &
Rio Grande station of Chamita, yester-
day. A magnificent special train, con-
sisting Of six passenger coaches and
chair cars and baggage car, with Con-
ductor Hill in charge and Engineer
George Riddle at the throttle, pulled
out Of Santa Fe at o'clock in the
morning, with about 300 passengers on
board. All were provided with we'll
filled lunch baskets and other neces-
sary refreshments, and a merrier party
of excursionists never assembled in
New Mexico. The train moved smooth
ly up the hill, over the mesa, down the
hill to the Rio Grande, and thence to
Chamita. about forty miles above San
ia Fe, at the rate of twenty miles an
hour, the recent refreshing and plenti-
full rains rendering the trip exempt
from dust. and hence exceptionally
joyable The train was met at Chamita
by all kinds of conveyances, including
a multitude Of saddle horses, and soon
the excursionists were transferred
across the river and landed in San
Juan.
A HOT DAY,
By that time the rays Of the sun were
decidedly scorching. and shade and
fresh water were sought. These were
found In the extensive and beautiful
orchard and gardens of Samuel Eldodt,
where numerous summer houses have
been provided after the true German
custom for picnic parties. and also In
the groves surrounding the village. Aft
er resting few moments and opening
lunch baskets, the visitors Joined the
throng from all parts Of the valley in
visits to the ancient Catholic chapel of
San Juan and the shrine of Our Lady
of Lourdes, and in viewing the dances
and races Of the 500 Pueblo Indians
present. The latter features Of the
feast were witnessed with the deepest
interest by many people from the east.
and many albums We're enriched by the
snapshot pictures taken on the scene.
1t was 80 warm in the sunshine that
generously flooded the dancing pavilion,
which was located in one Of the streets
between two rows of adobe buildings,
that the Indians really did not need any
more clothes than they wore, and most
Of them were coolly attired chiefly In
paint of various bright colors, and
looked plenty warm enough. None of
ventional broadcloth, and the gowns of
the squaws were cut nearly as decol-
lette as those worn at fashionable re-
In the most refined social cir
cles Of the eastern cities. The tomtom
furnished inspiring music for the
dances, while the band Of st. MichaeIs
college filed in the interludes with sew
eral fine selections of religious and pa
triotic music.
A HISTORIC SHRINE.
Hundreds Of people visited the chapel
Of San Juan, which has history dating
back over 300 years, and the massive
shrine of Our Lady OF Lour-
des was Viewed with unfeigned admi-
ration by all observers, and many of the
devout joyfully embraced the opportu-
nifty to kneel therein and offer up to the
unseen God the sweet incense of a 81
lent prayer. This beautiful shrine was
built out Of the private purse Of Fa-
ther Camilo Seux, who has been the de-
ri OF On M
August. 1868. and who Is still actively
and effectively engaged in missionary
work, chiefly among the Indians, who
fairly worship the noble man. The
shrine cost about 10000. In front of the
chapel, which Is located across the
street from the shrine, Is a noble bronze
statue Of Our Lady of Lourdes, which
stands upon a massive cut-stone pedes-
tai and Is very imposing. The statue
was cast In France. and Is genuine
work Of art 1t was placed there by Fa-
ther Seux some time before he built the
shrine. ....
THE TRIP HOME.
At 3 o'clock the special train. in
creased by the addition of the two
coaches occupied by the brothers and
students of st. Michaers college. who
went up the day before. pulled out Of
Chamita for the City Of the Holy Faith
with nearly 500 people on board. Every
seat was occupied, and good many
persons rode on the platforms. The to-
tai number Of people at the feast. in
cluding Indians, could not have been
less than 1900. and some estimates
place the number as high as 1000.
Another locomotive was added to the
pulling power of the train at Espanola.
and the excursion reached Santa Fe at
6 o'clock in the evening without an ac-
cident Of any kind or an unpleasant In
cident during the day. The ride home
was cool. exhilarating and restful. Gen.
eral Agent Helm accompanied the ex-
cursion party all day. and proved roy
al host. He was untiring in his efforts
to contribute to the pleasure Of all.
Conductor Hill. Engineer Riddle and all
the other railroad men who accom-
,oriad tho ovcuroior daaQrvo the hiRh-