Our Catholic Heritage, Volume I

Our Catliolic Heritage m T exas

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Revolt of tlie Zumas and allied tribes. How good this advice was, that also declared the loyalty of the Julimes or Jumanos, soon became evident by the fact that in March of that year the Manso Indians in El Paso had shown signs of unrest, and as a result of an investigation carried out by the governor it was discovered that a widespread revolt had been contemplated. This involved not only the Manso Indians and the recently settled natives of New Mexico at El Paso, but all the nations between this point, Parral, Casas Grandes, and La Junta. Encouraged by the rebellious Indians of New Mexico, and more particularly by the ever watchful and resentful Apaches, who were angered by the determined campaigns which Governor Cruzate waged against them from the very day of his arrival in El Paso, a great conspiracy had been formed. But fortunately this was discovered on March 14, 1684. The eight suspects were quietly arrested, tried, and sentenced to be garroted and their bodies to be hung up in the public square as a warning to all the others. But the execution was postponed by the intervention of Father Francisco Farfan and his companions, who pleaded with the governor not to carry out the execution at this time as this might endanger the safety of Father Lopez and his companions. The citizens joined the Padres in their petition and the governor granted the request. The postponement of the execution of the leaders arrested at El Paso did not keep the uprising from spreading as originally planned. Revolts broke out soon after in Janos and Casas Grandes according to the sehedule agreed upon, as well as along the Rio Grande in all the Zuma pueblos. Fortunately, however, through the loyalty of the Jumanos at La Junta, Mendoza, Father Lopez, and all their companions, were notified in time and were directed to return to El Paso by a different route. Thanks to this precaution, they arrived safely in their destination after an absence of almost eight months. 57 But if Father Lopez and Mendoza succeeded in arriving at El Paso safely, together with their companions, it is to be remembered that Fathers Acevedo and Zavaleta had remained behind at the new missions of La Junta, among the Jumanos. By the middle of the summer the Conchos, the Julimes, and other tribes who lived in the vicinity of the mouth of the Mexican Conchos and along the Rio Grande joined the rebels. This action seems to have been precipitated by the unwise execution of eighteen 57For a detailed account of this revolt which involved ten nations and sorely tried the endurance and perseverance of the weakened and half-starved settlers at El Paso, see Hughes, op. cit ., 334-364.

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