The Grit-advocate., 1905-07-14
LOVE AND TRAGEDY
IN HISTORY OF HISTORIC NEW
MEXICAN TOWN.
Affection Of Savage Indian Chief for
Beautiful Daughter Of Spanish Gran
dee Cause Of Massacre of Many In.
noeent People.

The recent destruction of Tome, N
NJ, by flood waters from the Rio
Grande river removes one Sof the
quaintest and most historic places in
the Southwest, says the Kansas City
Times. At the time of it's obliteration
Tome had population of about 800
Every house in the town was swept
away and what was formerly the main
street Is now the new channel of the
erratic river. No lives were lost, but
there were many narrow escapes and
thrilling rescues. The1 eurvivors are
now camping on the adjacent hills.
Tome is rich in historic legend, trag-
edy and romance. The place was
founded in the seventeenth century by
colony Of Spaniards coming by way
of Mexico. This colony consisted OF
seventy persons. headed by Don Ig-
nacio Bacca, a Spanish grandee. The
settlement flourished and for many
years was the leading town of New
Mexico. although 1t never attained a
population beyond few thousand. In
its palmy days Tome was the home Of
the Baccas, the Castilos, the Oteros,
the Chaves and other distinguished
families, whose names still stand on
New Mexico's roster of aristocracy.
Tome was once the scene of an ap-
palling Indian massacre massacre
which came as revenge because
Cueryeno Verde, a Comanche Indian
chief, had been outwitted in his plans
to marry Beatriz Bacca, daughter of
Don 1gnacio Bacca. the Spanish gran
dee The chief had made the acquaint-
ance of the Bacca family and lost his
heart to Beatriz when she was mere
child. He asked her father if he might
have her for his wife. Presuming that
the Indian was jesting, Don Bacca re-
piled in the affirmative. adding that
the chief might come and take Beatriz
on her 18th birthday.
The redskin suitor remembered
When Beatriz was Is he appeared at
her fathers home, accompanied by
band of warriors, not to make war, but
to help celebrate the nuptials. Don
Bacca, realizing that the Indian was
in earnest, resorted to strategy.
"See me tomorrow" he said. "for
have bad news for you-Beatriz is
dead"
Meanwhile the father caused a
grave to be dug and next day the In
dian was led thither. He looked at
the little mound, accepted the story as
true, and went away mournfully.
A faw WaaEs 1ator tho chjpf diSeov,
cred that he had been. deceived. He
was furious. Gathering his warriors
about him he swept down upon Tome
early on Sunday morning when
many of the residents were in church.
First he captured Beatriz, the object
Of his savage affection. Then he gave
orders to destroy the town. The
fleeing worshipers were caught and
,scalped. Beatriz became the unwill-
ing bride of the chief. and although
she grieved for long while. she final
:ly became reconciled to her new en-
.vironment and lived 10 an advanced
age.
So many people wire killed in the
Tome massacre that the local priests
had to call upon the clergy Of Albu-
querque, a short distance away. to
come and help bury the dead. The
romantic story of Tome is fully veri-
fed by church records saved from the
recent flood by Father Railerre, the
local parish priest, who has been on
duty in Tome since 1858.