Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-12-12

OF Guadalupe. the greatest fostiva
in the Mexican religious calendar
was celebrated here today. Special
excursions on all railroads brought
thousands of pious pilgrims from nj
parts of the republic. and L is osti.
mat d that before the day is owe,
not less than $4,000 d,votees vii
have paid visits to the shrine IN IA
famous church at the villa de Guai
alupe, just outside the city. In every
city throughout the country. and az
tthe Villages ana rural communities
similar devotions will be paid TO tn,
memory OF Mexico's saint. Since the
passage of the reform and the gov
ernment officials no longer take any
part In the celebration. but It's OBJ
servance is none the less enthusiastic
On the part of the populace,
For days preparations FOR tho fes-
'ival have been going forward ana
os usual they Illustrate that curiou~
mixture OF piety AMI worldlnoss that
Is n trait of the NJ xicans No otho.
country In the world produces sucf
a medley of devotion and barharlsn-
In the observance OF It's national feq
tlval. Prayers and devotional exer
'ises while an important part OF tn,
lays program. by no m ans satls',
he enthusiasm Of the PILGRIMS VIII
'ome here to pay their respects T.
Nuestra Sonora lc Guadalupe. Game
" chance flourish and The mos
'ious peon. aft + SATISFYING the de
oands OF the church by dipping Nj
myers I'm the holy water, crossln'
himself and utterlug prayer, hao
ems back to the gaming table or ~
ook pit supremely unconscious thu
lis actions are fin the least paradox
al or ineongrnou2.
In booths locateG at adyantageou
"ositions near the shrine are sol
he tamales the Grill con cainl an
ther curious concoctlons OF food
ear TO Tie Mexican taste, while
her booths LIQUID refreshments o
IN exc e1ingly maddening characto
re dispensed. The tourist who VIZ
rs the scene OF the festivities Is abI,
% buy. al a price not moro than p
'ozen tines that which nativ
would have to pay. the marvelou
articles for personal a1ornpent no"
81 specimens OF Indian handiworp
pottery and othcr brlc-a-brac pocu
lar TO Mexican curiosity shops Tn
N rry- -go-rOuuds furnish amusemer
'or thousands Of Mexicans. clad g.
grapes OF many colors and gowne
With imm nse somhroros. and tb
ay sight Is not less amusing am
'oyel for the visitor who soos 70 fc
We first tlm1. Indian dances barba,
us performances accompanied D.
he weird wild music OF 1diau lr
'ruments are a feature Of tho ccle
ration and give touch OF savagcr
. tn scene. The dancers are M
'red in fantastic costumes and chan
rhc delorous dlttlcB handed down f.,
hem by thor forefathers. I'm homo
T the Virgin OF Gau1alure Th
rack Of Grecrackors and The druDl
y babbllns Of rovcllers who hav
rank more than is good for them
card on every side. Tonight
rcat display Of Grcworls VIII cloe
ne festivities
~ accordance with tTc ugual en-
IN on Guadalupe day. n picture %
nc Virgin ls displayed iu front
rarly every homo in " z'co today
hcther that home Doe the palace %, .
panlsh grantee. ihc hovel OF n Ioa
the hut Of an indian
According 10 tradition 50 was s.
/ 53t ten y ars after the corquc
r Mexico by rhc spaniarde th1t o..
rrgln Mary appeared 90 an ln1iaf
n the spot where the famous churoI
,ow stands and commanded him e.
ulld an ediGco to her honor on Oh.
dtc. This indian was Juan Diego
was in D.cmbcr ~ Chat Doc r-
eiycd his mission which he prove
% llo bishop by hor'ne hm h
/ 'nkcf on which bad been mir1c
ously imprinted an image OF OBJ.
firgin.
This blanket bearing ho mlracn
ous image. l8 eth preserved in o.
hurch 0f Guadalupe Money ar
osuy jewels aggreroIng in vir,
many millions of dola's have bee.
wen for IT'S adorn mont and So na.
'es in a frame OF solid goil cover
I Eth a crystal plate. above r,c a..a
Il the church which wa ore..c
" command OF The VIRGIN ON carf
.lde Of The image within thc go'1r
'rama, arc strips Of goli FOO wh'r
litter and fash myriad damon
'0noralds, pearls and other procior
| .tones