The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-01
RENE rkabie Discovery. Wonderful
Subterranean Palace.

Recent proceedings in the Hungarian
Parliament disclosed most remarkable dis
covery, which, were it not so conclusjvelv
authenticated, would be almost impossible
to believe. The story, as condensed from
the office reports, is that two peasants, or
rather shepherds, from the village of Ivan
EgeIzeg, near the ancient city of Veszprim
and not far from Lake Balaton, came to
Pesth, and to Jeweler offered some broken
fragments of what evidently was some very
old golden ornament for female wear, pro-
badly bracelet or band for the upper arm
The jeweler questioned the shepherds, and
their answers being unsatisfactory, he had
the men arrested on suspicion of being
thieves. On the examination they told a
tale which was so astonishing that it was
communicated to the Minister of the In
terror, and this functionary ordered an in
vestigation by scientific officers. The infor-
nation of the shepherds was that in the
woods skirting Ivan-Egerzeg, where they
had some huts for shelter when out at night,
they had been digging at little hill, want
ing the earth for building purposes. Sud-
denly they came upon what appeared to be
a square structure of brick walls Remov-
ing this stone, they found that these walls
inclosed an opening into the earth, and they
resolved to sound its depth. Lowering a
stone tied to rope, they ascertained that
shaft, about three feet in diameter, or nine
feet square, descended perpendicularily to a
depth of over hundred square feet. The
pebble they had lowered reached what
semed like stone floor beneath, and from
the sound itself they Judged that this open
ing must lead to some large subterranean
cavern or hall. .-t-.
The agreed to keep their discovery a
secret and to explore the mystery. A day
or two afterward the shepherds were again
at work. They prepared a small square
board freighted with stones, and in the
centreof it they placed three lighted can
dies. This they let down through the shaft,
and by the light of the candles they saw
distinctly that the inner sides of the shaft
were smooth snd apparently ended in some
large apartment. As the candles continued
to burn all the way down, they came to the
conclusion that the air could not be vitiated,
and that it would be safe to go down
They next prepared rope ladder of the re-
quisIte length, secured several lanterns, and
then one of thsm let himself down the shaft.
At the bottom he stood in wonderm- nt as
he gazed upon large square hall, the walls
covered with faded paintings chars,
benches and tables standing arouno, orna
mented with gold and ivory, and large,
heavy, doors, hung on golden hinges, lead
ing to other rooms. The Shepherd climbed
the ladder and told his companion of the
discovery. Both of them went down to
gether, and walking about, found them
selves in a succession of rooms aboundinq
in elaborately carved furniture of stylt
they had never seen before. In some OF
them were low, large stands, evidently
once used for beds; there were also closets,
bureaus containing armlets, shields and
helmets. There were also breast-plates OF
leather, covered with iron and studded with
ornaments of gold. Some of the armlet
they took away, broke them up, and carried
them to Pesth for sale, in which transaction
they where arrested, as above stated. The
officers of the Hungarian Ministry of the
Interior began their investi CATION under the
ancient law which makes all such discov-
cries the property of the crown, and their
report, as communicated to Parliament, is
still more startling. Their researches clear.
ly establish it as a fact that this subter-
ranean structure was undoubtedly an old
Roman castle, built many centuries before
the Huns and Magyars left their Asiatic
homes To invade this part of Europe. This
section of Hungary was the province of
Il duuOutA, VI TIC ana III the
vicinity of Lake BAlaton there was a large
and permaasnent Roman camp, the agri-
cultural and military settlements of the
Romans extending for many miles, and
traces of tins Roman occupation, which
continued down TO the sixtlScentury of the
Christian era, have repeatedly been found.
But how this vast structure, which is said
to cover two acres, and but two stories high,
with massive walls of stone and brick, was
covered with earth to the depth OF more
than sixty feet, over which forest of heavy
timber had grown up-a forest, too, that Is
mentioned as existing in the oldest pre-
served chronicles of the kingdom the Off
GERS have so Tar found, is impossible to ac-
count for. In one room several skeletons
of human beings have been found, but the
bones were too much decayed TO indicate
with certainty the race to which they be
long. As thorough search of this wonder
full building is now proposed. further devel-
opments may clear up the mystery. The
shaft through which the discovery wa:
made is believed to be q chimney or an o5-
servatory or lookout, as iron hooks have
been found fastened 70 be wall inside, 70
which means Of ascent and descent were
PROBABILITY attached. The Minister of the
Interior has asked for preliminary appro-
pration Of 100, O0o forins TO make more
full examination, and also demanded au-
thoEity TO commence work ~ once, digging
out the whole earth now burying the place,
and thus bring 70 the eyes Of the nineteenth
century evidence of Roman provincial life,
hidden from the light OF day possibly fol
fifteen centuries.
The Nstional Democratic convention
copseiles at 81. Louis On the twenty
Of June. The future destiny Of the country
depends upon the deliberations Of thi,
au1uas bofr. IL can defeat Conkiing sol