Arizona republican., 1913-01-26
MISSION TRIP
 WORTH WHILE
Journey of Motorcaders to San Xavier is One of the Most Impressive Features of Run to Tucson; Inter- esting History

It was q wonderful trip the Motor cade made to the famous old San Xavier mission, about nine miles south of Tucson last week. No more interesting bit of Spain or Old Mex leo can be found in all the great southwest than the San Xavier, built three hundred years back, by monks from the old country, who pushed northWard into the bowling wilder ness of desert and Indians 10 carry the gospel of the conquistados to the partly suDdued tribes. Now the mis- sion stands as perfect almost as when the last padre perished at it's altar in the great Indian raid that rid this country for many years of the kindly ministering Of the missionaries. and except for minor restorations the building is the same as they left it.
 Now the mission is kept up by the contributions from church and visitors, and from funds raised for the purpose in various ways at Tue son. Although thousands see the mission every year, it is not suf-
 ficiently we'd known to the travelling
 public, which takes in the missions of California without ever knowing
 that near the main line of travel
 through Arzona there Is a place of
 just as much interest and much more antiquity and historical association as
 those they sec in the sister state.
 Ii Is not perhaps the fault of Tucson
 that there is not moro publicity given
 san Xavier. but it is the truth. any
 way.
 The Motorcade last week was a means of introducng the mission to many people who will appreciate it's rwonderful beauty and interest. Ecsi
 of all. perhaps, was the fact that tie
 party included tourists from all pa-ts
 of the United States as well as Ari-
 zona, scribes hy the dozen. writers
 Gf letters. stories and articles. ana picture takers. too. The official photographer of the Motorc2de. and Govcrnor Hunts personal photograph CT, w c. Adkins. took some mag nifeent views of the mission. ex te.'iors and inside scenes. He shot the altar q number of times. and also took some fine pictures of the two sacri.sties. containing the side altars- confessional and shrine Of the Virgin Perhaps the bes. view Of the mission was secured from the knoll nearby on which IS situated a shrine and erotto dedicated 10 the Virgin. Tic hill is circled hy a road about half way to the top. and the machines ar vent up. carrying their full load Of
 passengers.
 The mission itself is os white istucco. eiaborately nodded and carved with representations of conventional saints and things. Standing out sharply from the dead brown of the desert and the hut-like surroundings of the little Indian village. the mis- sion presents sight never to be for gotten. a bit of old Spain. dropped down among the hills and deserts of this most attractive rart of the new | world To the right of the entrance. which is wonderfully shaped Of the original doorway, stands the shrine of the Saviour and the grave ple' 1 of Padre Nicholas, one of the early fathers. On the other side is the | building which contains the rooms of 1 the sisters. who now look after the mission. the library, museum and ! school rooms where quite class of Indian girls and boys attend.