New-York tribune., 1915-03-17
Vestments in Old Trunk
Clean with Diamonds,
Rubies and Pearls.
18TH CENTURY WORK,
CUSTOMS MEN THINK
Brought Here by Fr. GuIeroS'
VINO Fled from Carranla and
Has Vanished with Them.

One OF the finest mystery stories
that ever bounced into this town spread
itself over New York yesterday, breath
ing generalities OF gold and romance
about sixteenth century. Spanish kings
and twentieth century Mexican priests
Now. who is Saotas Guieros, MeHl-
can priest?
And where is he?
Those are two important questions.
Their answers should lift the outer
voiI from what is hidden iu tasclnaS-
ing story that appears 10 be true.
On Saturday, March s, the steamer
Montevideo. Of the Spanish Line, ar
rived here. carrying among her pas
senrers seven priests who had fed from
Mexico when Carranza's right bower
in Mexico City, General Obregon, sent
out word that the priests OF Mexico
would have to raise 100000 for Car
ianZa's army.
The arrival Of the seven men was
duly recorded in the press without any
romantic trimming. A day later they
we're forgotten
Finds Glittering Gems.
Yesterday brings forth the story. II
develops that one Of the priests brought
with him a trunk that was outwardly
as unimpressive as its human compan-
ion. When customs inspector opened
il his ewes fell upon such a collection
OF bciewelled gold crowns and robes
that he almost lost his mental balance.
SO he ordered the trunk sent to the
Appraisers Stores for examination. The
. nlph
the customs officers and o@iclals at the
Appraisers Stores. said the articles es-
caped duty because they were antiques.
Uc declared the contents of the trunk
worth about 100000.
The principal object Of official atten-
tion was silken archbishop's cope,
with the ancient Spanish coat-of-arms
worked in diamonds, rubles. emcralds
and pearls on the breast The priest
told the customs men that the robe
had probably been sent to Mexico tro.n
Spain some time in the sixteenth cen
tury.
Almost a. interesting were two gold
crowns, set with diamonds, rubies.
emeralds and sapphires. There were
several smaller and heavily jewclled
clerical vestments in the trunk.
ET1eSL ltllS Htit hiSipie'
The priest gave only an outline Of
the history of the robes and crowns to
the authorities. He said they had been
in the Cathedral in Mexico City for
more years tnan he had been able 10
trace, and that when trouble threat
ened. through the promised sacking Of
tie buildings in Mexico City by the sol
diers, he packed the things in the old
trunk and secreted the trunk until he
was able to slip away with 1t to this
country.
General Obrcgon will be sorry to
hear of this the priest remarked, and
smiled.
An appraisal of the robes and crowns
was finished late last week, and the
value was fixed at about S2OO,OOO.
They were passed in as antiques, duty
free. and the priest removed them.
The names Of the seven priests given
out at the time that the Montevideo
arrived do not include that of Saotas
Guieros. L was reported that he
might be found at the Mission of the
Immaculate Virgin, on Lafayette Street.
He is not known there. Nor IS he
known at the Church of st. Francis
Xavier. Father Heredae, Mexican.
who is now there, and is acquainted
with most Of the present and former
priests in Mexico, does not know him.
There is no hint of the whereabouts
Of the romantic articles. IL was re-
ported last night that they are to BE
nut on public exhibition in this city
and that mystery At the start won't
hurt a bit.