Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-09-24
THEFT ~ :.
OF THE ~
SACRED
N By ]. M.
SCANLAND
By ]. NJ
SCANLAND
Copyright, 1903, By J. N. SednIdIsd

RN the Jemez mountains, near Alhu-
querque, n. NJ, stand the ruins OF
III an estufa, the only remaining
landmark" of the Jemez Indian
village, the last chapter in the history
of an extinct tribe. The site where the
village stood is a forest, and the huge
stone walls rising grimly amid this
scene of desolation remind the visitor
of feudal castles in desert as depicted
in the romances of the dark ages. Here
was enacted about a generation before
civilization began to spread westward
a scene more realistic than perhaps any
depicted in romance, with superstition
as the underlying cause.
1t is perhaps known to even the su-
perficial reader that the Pueblo Indians
are sun worshipers; they believe that
their god, Moctezuma, dwells in the
sun, and to the rising sun their prayers
are repeated at mornings, and the sa-
cred fire Is kept perpetually burning In
the estufa, or church. Should this fire
become extinct disaster will surely fol-
low-perhaps extinction of their tribe
or village.
few miles from the Jemez village
was the village of the Pecos members
of the same family of Indians, also
tracing their descent from the Toltecs,
but living under a separate govern
ment The Pecos and the Jemez were
friendly neighbors, and during a sea-
son Of great drought the Jemez had
given from their bountiful crops many
measures of corn, fruit and vegetables
to the Pecos, whose crops had failed.
The Pecos envied their more favored
neighbors and attributed their calam-
ity to the evil spirit, who was domi-
mated by the good spirit Of the Jemez.
The evil spirit came out of Diablo
canyon last night and threw his spell
over the priest of our sacred fire, and
now it is no more! Our tribe is
doomedw said Mancos, the shaman Of
the Pecos, addressing the chief cacique
of the tribe.
"For three centuries the sacred fire
has burned, most noble caciQue, until
the storm spirit came, and the priest
whose duty 1T is to keep 1t alive under
the penalty of death fell asleep, and
luc evil Oue SlOle Tie SdCItu DidLc,
added the shaman in tones Of grief.
Lead the traitor beyond the walls Of
the village and let the squaws kill him.
He is unworthy of death at the hands
Of the braves" ordered the cacique.
The shaman bowed, again bowed to
the east and gave orders to the war
captain to be executed instantly.
While the drums were beating for the
execution Of the sentinel priest the ca
Clique summoned a council of the
braves in the estufa. With terror
stricken countenances, they met In the
sacred hall, in which women are not
permitted to enter under penalty Of
death. Here are held their most sacred
dances and other rites and also the
councils of war. Stone benches hewn
from the wall extended round the
council chamber, where the braves sat
as stolfd and as solemn as the gloomy
wallis The throne of the cncique
faced TO the east, and in front was
totem pole, on which was engraved the
history of the tribe. The cacique now
arose and addressed the braves.
''The evil spirit has stolen away our
sacred fire." said he, land our race Is
doomed The temple must again be
lighted by fire from heaven, but the
Great Father Is angry with his people,
and it may not be 50. The True Spirit
loves our neighbors, and we must per