Weekly Arizona citizen., 1880-10-02
4 scrap of Mexican History.


 Senor Alfredo Cavero is writing, in the City of Mexico, work upon the famous sun-Stone, or Aztec Calen- dar Stone, ' so-called. He denies that 1t was ever used or intended as ca.- endar, but says it was an altar ded.- cated to sacrafices to the Sun God, whose worship was once universal in Central America, Arizona and New . Mexico.
 Father Duran, q Catholic priest who wrote the history of New Spain over three centuries since, states that ID l5j2 this stone was ordered buried in the earth by the Archbishop of Mexico, because of the idolatrous worship and human sacrifices which had been committed thereon" It was dug up again in lI60. The fol- lowing is Father Duran's account. derived from Indian tradition, of the formation and original erection of this sun-stou
 In I479, AXaycatl, being king of 4fANAAAts O4ANAEA AAAL HUI aNlAI Ol this sun siour, but about that time he was called upon by his allies, the TenaEiZicOs, 10 undertake war against the TOilocans snd Matlaz- iucos. Thus nearly two yesrs passed. Subsequently, AXaycail became in volved in @ contest with the neighbnr- ing Indians of MichOacau, and instead Of bringing home prisoners for the inauguration of the suu-stone or altar, he was defeated, and the ccrc- money connected with it WAS again delayed. FiHaliy, the stone Was coni- plcied. and when ali Was in readiness, AXaycatl, ihe king. sent messengers 10 all the cities and 10 his allies, ask ing each tO furnish a certain quota Of Uuvkmen and gwen quanty of stone and lime. So heartily did all respond 10 this demand that the temple for this gteat snu-slone was built in one day, and il was elevated to it's place amid the clash of drums, shells and rum pets, and the shouts of an immense multitude of spectators.
 The kings of NetZotzinco, Oholula and Metztitlan, who had been invited to the feast, persUnated gods, and were most gorgously attired.
 There were seven hundsed prison CTS of war brought forth, all whit ened with chalk and bedecked with feathers. These being ranged in line, a priest took a bundle of incense, and having lighted 1t passed four times around the altar, and then threw the remains of the incense upon It to be there consumed.
 Next appeared the King AXaycatl, arrsyed in magnificent robes, and ac- companied by Tlacelel, who bore sharp knife. This he handed to Ills Majesty. who mounted the altar and slaughtered prisoners until his arm WAS weary. Next Tlacaelel sacrificed men unti! he was fatigued. Then followed the kings, princes, lords, ana other guests, who did likewise, unlll the 700 prisoners taken m the battle of Tilluitepec had all been slain.
 After this sanCuinary feast, King made rich presents to all the kings and nCbles who had honored inc sacrifice by their presence, and they with their followers returned to their own lands.
 Then the King of Mexico being weary with the great inauguration and nauscated with the blood, which ran in all directions, fell sick, and when his strength was greatly diminished he sent for Tlacaelel and sald 10 hlm ! [. I desire you to have 8 statue ot me sculptured on Mount Chspultepec' l near that of the late King Monte zuma." TlacaeIcl obeyed the order, and when the statue was completed i he irvalid monarch desired 10 be car ried 10 Chapultepec to see It. Hay ing looked upon this monument the ! ki9g ordered his lords and other st- tendants 10 retire, and then covering his face with his mantle, he died nnon inc litter on which his atten- dants had borne him from the city.