The Elbert County tribune., 1911-09-29

top of the hill. which always barren, and
that he would fnd the ground covered with
roses. He was to fill his zarape with the now
ers and hasten to the bishop with them. Juan
did he was bidden and when he spread
out the roses before the bishop there. on the
inside of his coarse zarape painted
beautiful picture another miracle. OF the Vir-
gin Mary. This enough: and one OF the
finest churches in all Mexico built at the
foot of the hill OF Tepeyacac.
This remarkable portrait was placed In q
prominent part of the edihce. where 1t may
be to this day. enclosed by a beautiful
frame. said to be solid gold; and 1t Is known
throughout Mexico Our Lady Of Guada-
lupe"
On December 12 the festival OF Our Lady
Of Guadalupe occurs. and thousands make
the long pilgrimage to her shrine. This has
taken place since 1852. in which year the vir-
gin of Guadalupe officially recognized.
On the hill OF Tepeyacac is little chapel
which marks the spot where Juan Diego cut
the roses that he took to the bishop. Just
back OF 1t is the Guadalupe cemetery In
which some Of Mexico's most famous men.
among them are Santa Ana. viceroy Bacareli
and Colonel obergon. are buried.
This edifce is reached by two series OF
long winding stairways, which go up the
steep hill from opposite sides. About half
way up of these flights the mast and
sails OF ship made Of stone and pastered
with cement How long they have been there
no say There Is legend concern
ing their origin which is follows: Many.
many long years ago. centuries. perhaps. a
ship was In a great storm on the Gulf OF Mex
leo The vessel In danger OF sinking and
so the sailors prayed to the Virgin. and prom
ised her that II she would them they
would take the mast Of their ship to her
shrine at Guadalupe. and there set 1t up so
that 1t would remain forever monument
to her power. The vessel saved and
true to their vow. the sailors removed the
heavy mast and carried 1t upon their shoul-
ders over the long. weary miles from Vera
Cruz to the City of Mexico. and thence to
Guadalupe. where they erected 1t. the sails
set. It covered with stone and cement in
order that 1t might be preserved for the bene-
At of future generations: and there It re-
mains to this day. high up on the hill where
all may
On the spot where the Virgin is supposed to
have stood when she appeared to Juan Diego
a spring. the waters OF which are supposed to
any Ill., gushes forth Over this fountain
a little chapel. OF the most beautiful that
| have ever seen. stands. Over the altar Is a
painting Of Our Lady OF Guadalupe and
every day many go to her shrine to Worship
One of the most pathetic scenes that can be
imagined takes place In front of the cathedral
Among the passengers of every street car
that arrives are the lame. the halt and the
blind. Some have. to be carried. others are
led. while many who are friendless, hobble
and drag themselves to this sacred spring to
obtain drink OF It's magic waters.
No description of this interesting land
would be complete without mention of
the picturesque city OF Guanajuato. This IA
nous old place founded by the Spaniards
In 1854. and the attraction which brought
them there the rich vein OF silver known
Veta Madre (motber vein). which has been
worked steadily for three and half
centuries. The great valenciana NINE 10
rate he city hae nrod cad nh S200-
100000. Mining is carried In the same
primitive manner as in the days OF the early
Spaniards.
The cemetery and the catacombs are prob
ably. Of more interest to the stranger than
any other point In the city. Armed with
permit which the hotel proprietor gave me
| climbed the steep hillside streets to the city
Of the dead. situated upon the summit OF one
of the mountains.
This cemetery Is rather small and | won
dered that there were few graves In it. but
the mystery explained to me. In
the walls that enclosed the place are thou
sands OF vaults Just large enough for coffin.
These may be rented for stated periods but
when this time has expired. II the relatives OF
the deceased do not renew the lease the re-
mains are taken out and thrown the bone
pile beneath The crypt Is then ready for
occupation again. The ground where the
graves are located is sold outright
However. the greatest surprise of all was
before me. My guide opened small door
built In some masonry top OF the ground
and flight of narrow. winding stairs was
exposed. These descended and they
brought us into long. underground passage
where is one OF the most remarkable and
gruesome sights In all Mexico About half OF
this chamber is occupied by a number OF
corpses. In that dry climate. flesh will not
decay when protected from the weather and
these bodies were SO withered and dried up
that they looked like leather. The express
sions on the faces were horrible In the ex-
treme
The other end of this chamber is piled full
OF bones. They are the remains OF the poor
wretches who had once been laid to rest in
the vaults above. and who after the term for
which their friends had paid rent had
elapsed. had been removed to this place
These catacombs are indeed horrible and
a poor place for any one inclined to nervous
trQuhles. for Ii r,erxas ..=at.-x