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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, June 24, 2002
Ghost Writer
Belief in supernatural cures continues into today
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a continuing series of features
on historical locations in Pecos region
By The Ghost Writer
We modern, sophisticated thinkers belittle the idea of throwing women
in the river to prove they were or were not witches. If they floated, they
were witches and if they drowned they were innocent. They were at least
proven innocent when they died. We consider that act an act of ignorance.
We are no longer ignorant but think logically about all things religious
and secular. Or do we?
Mr. Wilson M. Hudson related in his 1966 edition of The Healer of Los
Olmos and Other Mexican Lore the story of a mother taking her daughter to
Don Pedrito Jaramillo the curandero (the curer) to cure a swelling on her
neck. Don Pedrito had been told by God that he had the ability to cure people
and his reputation was known in all of south Texas.
The woman lived in Corpus Christi and Don Pedrito lived near Falfurrias.
He was a generous man, not taking payment from people he thought could not
afford making a payment and furnishing food and lodging for many patients.
The prescription for the little girl's swelling on her neck was to buy a
small bottle of olive oil, dip a chicken feather in it and oil the sole of
the girl's feet from the toe to the heal for nine nights. The treatment was
carried out and the swelling disappeared.
I recall, 35 years ago, that a young man's wife had headaches that could
not be cured by any of the many doctors that he took her to. She thought
that one of her boy friends from the past had put a hex on her for marrying
my friend. No M.D. in West Texas could cure her. One day, a doctor (so called)
from Mexico came to town and performed some cure similar to the olive oil
and chicken feather and she was cured.
There was a local woman who shot a woman in the buttocks while the woman
was running from her. She said that she would shoot her again as she was
convinced that she was a witch. Educated people believe in astrology. Some
people think of astrology as they do the chicken and oil treatment while
others live by it.
Richard Roberts, second-generation faith healer, made the statement that
only Christ knew when the end of the world could come. He was trying to ease
people's fear that Y2K would be the end. This is the man who will stop his
wife from talking to listen to what God has to say to him. I'm surprised
that God didn't tell him to read Mark 13, 32 where Christ told his followers
that only the Father knows when the end will be. This faith healer is making
millions by claiming to heal yet he will not publish the names and addresses
of the healed. He would have the world at his door if he could heal and prove
it. Richard's father, another Faith healer, built a hospital. Is there something
odd here?
Why do people believe legends and superstitions? I'm glad that I don't
have any hang-ups. I must hurry and close this story as the cat just turned
one and a half times in his bed _ a sure sign that lightning will strike
my computer if it is not turned off.
In a lively discussion by my "mature advisors", each related his exercise
routine. One man said that he received enough exercise by walking about a
block from his office to the coffee bar. The other informed him that they
get more exercise each night just going to the restroom.
"Night" booth space still available, Chamber says
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Monday, June 24, 2002 -- Booth spaces are still available for this
weekend's Night In Old Pecos/Cantaloupe Festival on Oak Street.
The festival, along with the annual Golden Girl Revue and the Little Miss
Cantaloupe Pageant, helps kick off the long Fourth of July holiday celebrations
and the West of the Pecos Rodeo.
The festival is set to begin at 6 p.m., on Saturday in the 100 block of
Oak Street.
Festival Committee Chairperson Debbie Thomas said that this year the committee
hopes to draw more families to the festival by providing more games and activities
for children.
"We're trying to add a few more activities to keep the families down here,"
she said.
Kids of all ages will have the chance to participate in the Cake Walk,
sponsored by the Catholic Daughters or try their pitching skills at the Dunking
Booth hosted by the Rodeo Committee.
The Class of 2003 is sponsoring a new game called Cantaloupe Bowling,
which is sure to be as messy as it sounds.
The Women's Division is also going to sell temporary tattoos for the children
young and old alike.
There will also be several different games for the kids provided by Jody
Rigger and the North Temple Baptist Church.
Most of the kids will surely be attracted to Larry Bryers booth, which
contains a miniature train and a Ferris wheel.
For those who have dreams of stardom in their eyes a kareoke machine will
be available from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., provided by P & M.
DJ Bully Matta will provide musical entertainment on Oak Street throughout
the night.
A local band, Rim Fire, will provide a variety of country music in Windmill
Square from 9 p.m., to midnight, when the festival ends.
Thomas also said that the Pecos Prancers would be performing a short dance
for the audience sometime during the night in the square.
The nominees for Golden Girl and Little Miss Cantaloupe will also perform
their production numbers from the pageant the night before.
"The Windmill Square Players will make an appearance as well," Thomas
said.
A festival can not be a true celebration without food, therefore there
are approximately 15 different food booths scheduled to be there on Saturday.
Also, there are many novelty booths and retail booths planning to be there.
All in all, Thomas said that there are approximately 30 booths taken at
the festival, however, there are still many more available.
Booth prices vary on the number of booths needed and if electricity is
required.
Single booths (12' x 12') are available with electricity for $100 and
without electricity for $85.
Double booths (24' x 12') are available with electricity for $140 and
without electricity for $125.
"Anyone wishing to sponsor a booth needs to contact the Chamber of Commerce,"
Thomas said.
Thomas added that the committee has been working hard to improved the
lighting in the park next to the West of the Pecos Museum to make it safer
for festival-goers.
"We've been up here in the evenings making sure the park will be lit up
enough for the crowd," she said.
Thomas said that this week leading up to the festival is very nerve racking
however, she is expecting thousands of people to show up for the festival.
"In the end it's all going to come out just fine," she said.
Weather
PECOS, Monday, June 24, 2002 -- High Sunday 99. Low this morning 72. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly clear. Lows 70 to 75.
Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Tuesday: Mostly
sunny. Highs 100 to 103. East winds
5 to 15 mph. Tuesday night: Mostly clear.
Lows 70 to 75. Wednesday: Partly cloudy with
isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Highs 100
to 103. Thursday and friday: Partly cloudy
with a slight chance of afternoon and
evening thunderstorms. Lows 70 to 75.
Highs 95 to 100.
Obituaries
Eufemia Lara Flores, Marianne Ingram and Joe Bryan
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail newsdesk@nwol.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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