Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-22


which is eight miles distant, has
robbed it of its commerce and its in
dustries and there seems to be no rea-
son whatever for the continued exist
ence on the map of the city of Cholula.
Yet even today this decrepit old rem
nant of past greatness contains no less
than twenty-seven churches, and from
the top of the pyramid one can see
/ with the naked eye thirty more at var
ious points on the surrounding plain.
Some of these churches are richly fur
nished and one is surprised on enter
ly kept up One of them dates back
to the year 1929 and everything in the
old town bears evidence of age and
former glories that have passed and
gone. The ride of eight miles on the
Puebla is delightful one, passing as
points associated with the wars of
modern Mexico.
A Visit to TIaxcala.
No place that l have visited in Mex
ic0e has interested me more than the
old town of Tlaxcala. which is today
the modern capital of the Mexican
state of the same name. When Cortes
came to Mexico Tlaxcala was mighty
metropolis, it is said, with a population
exceeding 100000 and was the seat of
an Independent empire. Her people,
who were strong and warlike race,
had maintained their independence, be-
ing at that time one of the few nations
which had not been conquered by the
imperial dynasty Of Montezuma. But
for the final decision of the Tlaxcalans
to unite their forces with the army of
Cortes on marching on their hereditary
enemies, the Aztecs, Cortes could not
have succeeded and the history of
Mexico FOR the past 400 years would
have been far different from that now
iunalterably written on the book Of
fate Cortes first thought the Tlaxacal-
ans and then made an alliance with
them. They marched with him to
Cholula and participated in the mas
sacre at that place and then, served as
his chief allies in the siege Of and
final successful assault on the city Of
Mexico.
The town of Tlaxcala, though state
capital, is not on a railroad. It Is
reached by mule cars at a distance OF
six miles from the station of Santa
Ana on the Mexican railway. The
trip 10 Tlaxcala can easily be made
in day either from Puebla or Mexico
City AS rode up the narrow valley
in which Tlaxcala is situated, saw
the same mountains, hills, stream and
cultivated fields the victorious conquer
ors looked upon. There was the same
public square, the same market place,
and a Christian church on the same
spot where the Tlaxcalans had pagan
temple but the people, where are
they? Cortes said ethat there wer
100000 when he came. Today 1000
are about all that remain in this "land
of bread,' which is the meaning
of the word T1axacala To be frank,
we think Cortes exaggerated in this
instance as he is known to have done
in others, for we do not see how 300,-
900 people could have existed in even
the most primitive fashion in this mar
row valley. The people there today
are The descendants of the people
whom Cortes found there: Here is To-
Gated the church of San Francisco, the
very oldest in America. Its foundations
were commenced in 1921. In this old
church, are two antiquities that are
Enthusiastically genuine and which in
terested me imm ensely. Here is the
identical stone baptismal font in which
were baptized the four Tlaxcalan chief
tains that were converted to Christian
ity by the priests accompanying Cor
tes' expedition. And here also is the
identical first pulpit from which was
preached the gospel OF Christ on the
American continent.
In the public museum in Tlaxcala is
one of the best collections OF prehis-
toric stone images and idols that is. to
been seen in Mexico Here is also fur
niture that was used by Cortes and the
vestments of the priests who baptized
the four Indian chieftains above re-
ferred to and numerous other interest
| ing relics. In view of the part taken
| nv the Tlaxcalans and the many his
torical associations connected with
the place, visit to Tlaxcala
makes up one of the most enjoyable
Of many delightful days to be spent in
Mexico among associations OF rare
historical interest.
The City of Puebla is itself a most
interesting place to visit. 1t contains
about 100000 inhabitants and its his
tory is romantic and full of legend. 1t
/ has many churches and the cathedral
of Puebla rivals the great cathedral
of the City Of Mexico, except only in
point of size being regarded by many
as the finer church. Puebla has seen
much of the vicissitudes of war. 1t
was occupied by General Scott and
the American army on May rs, 1S47
1t was the scene of Zaragoza's victory
over the French on May S, 1862. II
was recaptured by the French in May
1853, and in turn taken from them
/ four years later on April 2, 1867, by
4 General Porfrio Diaz, the present
4 president of Mexico.
i At the latter battle General Dial
had horse shot from under him. Y
. peon soldier secured him another. a
. former Iowan tells me of an inciden
in President Diaz's life which explains
his wonderful hold on the affections O
the people, Notwithstanding the iro1
hand with which the laws are admin
, istered. A year or two ago, while OF
hunting trip, on the Cuernavac'