Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-11-14
CENTRAL AMERICAS PALACES.
The Rains OF de Hseas-Glsry q
Departed Creataess.
fpittSburr Dir,atch

Mr.. Francis r. Fast, secretary Of the Cen
trail American Syndicate company, expressed
himself upon Central America Is follows
Most, or might say all, Of my travelling
was done on the back Of a mule, with only Q
servant would travel IN day, and .
| night, after swinging my hammock under 9
tree in the public square Of the little village
where l intended to rest, q crowd Of the
principal men Of the village would gather
around and ask innumerable questions about
my country in . queer, innocent fashion.
After had told them all, they in turn would
relate the traditions Of their ancestors; Of
the fabulous mines Of gold and silver: OF the
Spanish conquest, and tho glory Of their do
parted greatness I Travelled from the
British colony of Belize to the Incas' ruins in
the province II C0pan, in TIE republic Of
Honduras"
What do you know Of the reported dis
covery by a priest Of key to the Mexican
and Cent raj American hieroglyphicsr
Il know nothing beyond what have read
since returned to New York. I heard
nothing down there. In fact, I think there
Is very little in il. I-don't - how any key
ian be obtained that would unlock the Incas'
mysteries. There il no vestige Of the old
language left, and there was no contempt
rancous language that was reduced to writ
ing that know or ever heard Of. But Of
these lncas' ruins, they arc wonderful You
come upon them In the midst Of moraa and
swamp. Miles OF magnificent columns, the
wreck of the palaces Of emparors who rulsd
before Cortez came. Next to tho beauty of
their ruins comes the beauty Of their pot
terry, remains Of which arc to be found
within the walls Of every temple and pal
ace
What was the most striking thing in the
way Of ruins that you encountered!"
"a wonderful road. Ths Appian way has
been the boast OF antiquarians for ages, but
what do you think Of q road dxty miles long
In the heart Of Central Amsrica, Constructed
over mountain and through moras and
jungle, and exquisitely paved with square
blocks Of stone as compactly sst a. our Bel
gian blocks of todayl One Of the Inca en-
perors had the road built expressly for his
bride, SO that when she came on her bridal
trip to his palace her mule train would have
q fit road upon which to travel. The tradi-
ton says that this ruler, whose name has
been forgotten, had 1000 men for nearly .
year working on this enterprise. The ruins
are there to show for the work yet, and
travelled on that strange thoroughfare over
whose stones, firmly set, the tangled vines
and branches OF the giant trees formed .
canopy that almost excluded the sunlight"
And the people are lazy and dishonest,
presumeT suggested the reporter.
"LAzyi Yes" replied the gentleman, but
not dishonest. On the other hand they are
strictly honest Once q month peon is sent
from the mines down to the colony for coin
to pay the hands. He has no guard, and TO
ceives 60 cents day for his services He re-
turns regularly with from q, 600 to g, 600 in
gold in the net on the mules back The
village is sixty miles from the mine The
native women are the prettiest on the CONT |
nent, but they are the most slovenly, too,
may add" Mr.. Fast will return to Central |
America the coming fall in all probability.