The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-08
A TEMPLE OF SILVER
Relies Of the Aztecs in the Eecesses of
Nncafan.

Yucatan.
Mr.. Terry several weeks ago first gave TO
the world the complete story Of the new
celebrated temple of silver in Yucatan,
saws the Kansas City Times. II was sew
eral months ago that Mr. Terry had definite
information of the famous temple while
travelling through lucatan. He learned
that the Chan santa Cruz Indians. a tribe
Of small fellows inhabiting that section.
were supposed to hold the secret Of the sill
yer temple. In interviews with several
old-timers and several young and intelli-
gent hunters, Mr.. Terry learned that the
Chans were the inhabitants of dismal
swamp of lucatan, IN which no white per-
son or member Of any other tribe OF Indians
could live. They were often driven to the
very edge Of the great m GRASS. and there
the little fellows would disappear as if by
the work of a magician's wand. For
years. and. IN fact. until within the last
four or five years, the Mexican Government
has carried on vigorous warfare with the
tribe. but the Indians were victorious in
every contest.
AT one time they got hold Of some fire.
arms and used them tellingly, the result
being the same as former battles the with
drawal of the troops of the Government.
This warfare finally ceased, and for some
time the DiaZ authorities have been trying
10 negotiate with the Chans for a complete
disclosure Of the secret of their life beyond
the dismal swamp. one hunter, man IN
whom Mr.. Terry places implicit ialth, has
made positive declaration that from the top
of very high tree on the outer edge Of the
swamp he saw a magnificent city, and that
as he looked at il his eyes were blinded by
the brilliant reflection Of the sunlight on the
silver dome of the great temple, "A legend ne
had been told Of. lie could make out no
more. be told Mr.. Terry, but that gentleman
heard enough from the hunter, whom he
considered truthful, 10 believe that the
Cnans in truth have grand city beyond
the poisonous swamp through which they
make their mysterious disappearance.
In connection with his highly interesting
remarks upon the silver temple, the pOssi-
bllitv of which is suggested in General Lew
Wallace Fair God, Mr.. Terry deplored the
fact that archaeological research IN Mexico
stands today almost where II stood nifty
wears ago. 81 can mention an instance,
al least" said he. ''that will serve TO Illus
trate what mean. ON the eastern SIDE OF
Mexico. in the region 50 thickly covered
with the densest Imaginable grOwths Of
very valuable hard woods. traveller dis
covered many years ago traces OF we'll
built stone highway, the construction OF
which was not surpassed by the famous an
cient roads that history tells Us OF. The
discovery of this road was made, and there
the matter stood for years.
"latterly. the Americans have noticed
the presence Of the road at various places
and some one at sea recognized a section
of the work on an island far out IN the Gulf
of Mexico, showing that the island was
once part of the main land. The road
was shown 10 have been built down TO the
present shore. where its end was lost IN the
sea. pointing in the direction of the island
i'm question. Here explorations on this very
important matter came 10 standsiill.
The forests were too dense and dangerous
to admit Of the road being followed 10 its
end. every one said, and thus wonderful
story of prehistoric life and civilization re-
mains untold.
Mr.. Terry has made a sufficiently thorough
personal examination Of the old road to offer
his assurances OF It's value TO the archTOlO-
gist. He has also looked into the forests AT
his own expense and has seen some OF the
marvellous cities that were once bustling
with activity upon this great stone high
way, whose surface has been worn away by
the fast running wheels of time, and whose
sectional remains help tell the story that
the cities confirm. Great stones, much
larger than those employed in modern build
ing operations. were found iii many OF the
houses of the cities, and many of the struc-
lures were almost perfect, aside from the re-
suit of decay and the complete development
by mammoth trees and luXuriant tropical
vegetation.
There were no signs of an overthrow or
sudden dOwnfall-Onlv Time seemed TO
blame for the ruinOus condition of the grand
old cities Of the Aztec. Mr.. Terry is sure,
from his knowledge Of early Mexican mis-
tory. that the builders Of this royal road
and the cities that il touches were earlier
than the people whom COrtez conquered.
Uieroglyphics on the walls Of many OF the
stone houses and queer characters on the
stones of the road shows this, and still
more positive proof is found IN the charac-
ter of much Of the vegetation that surrounds
the cities and hides the great highway frOm
sight. Much Of il has been growing for nve
hundred years or more.
MIR. Terry remembers one Instance where
the roots OF a mammoth tree hung over
building, and dropping 10 the ground thirty
feet below were imbedded in the suit soil Of
the tropics. The wonderful tree itself
towers far above the grand old temple upon
which If rests, overlooking the forest and
seeming 10 suggest in its mighty grandeur
the erection by nature OF monument 10 the
ancient city that lies about The roofs below.
.,The Americans who VIII unearth the
mystery and history Of this wonderful ROAD
and its cities" said Mr.. Terry. "will ma
his name upon all lie w nos Tongue.
n will DO some day. but You and ana our
children ma, be. would like 10 know lhe
story ourselves