The Dickinson press., 1890-01-04
LAST OF THE AZTECS.
STRANGE PEOPLE AND PRACTICES
FOUND IN SOUTHERN MEXICO.

A Wonderful Pyramid Is Found Covered
with Fantastic roglyphics-Thousands
of Skulls Adorn Its Intcrior-A Corrc-
spondent's Wonderful Experience.
A correspondent of the City of Mexico
Two Republics states that he has discov-
cred a peculiar people in the extreme
southern portion of Mexico whom he
believes to be the remnant of the great
Aztec race, who formerly inhabited the
whole Of this southwestern country.
He says: II am at present, to the best
of my Judgment, about $50 miles south
east of the Palenque ruins, but whether
in the state of Chiapas or Tabasco, or in
the republic of Guatemala, am unable
to say"
lie became lost in the tropical forest,
when, coming to beaten path, he fol-
lowed it until he found himself in
pcopled town, whose inhabitants were
entirely different from those he had ever
seen in Mexico, in customs, dress, houses,
temples and language. These people
took him for God.
He says: 81 fronted to tho east and
pointed to the sun. They seemed to un-
derstand by it that it was for whom
for ages their forefathers had waited
In the center of double line of priests,
with my servants behind me, was es-
corted to large truncated pyramid
which hithertofore had been obscured
from my sight by the vegetation. The
great mass of rock, which afterwards
measured, covered several acres Of land,
with a perpendicular height of 15O feet.
its truncated apex being fully 200
feet square. A broad staircase leads from
the ground to the two large temples sur
mounting it. The other three sides are
covered with anaglyphs sculpturcd in
unshapely way, but speaking n record Of
years. This monster pyramid is inclosed
with high fence of solid masonry, and
is topped with peculiar network of SER
pcnts. Within it are two mammoth one
story buildings of block granite, covered
with fantastic hieroglyphs Thousands Of
skulls inseparate inches adorn their inner
sides-being, in word, veritable Col
gothas. These are the charnel houses
where for centuries the heads of the
victims of festal sacrifices have been
gathered.
was, with my servants, taken to one
side of the pyramid, which was pierced
with IL tunnel. In this opening we were
led by the priests. Our way was lighted
by cocoa nut shell lamps, which revealed
to us other tunnels branching from the
one we were traversing. About midway
of the pyramids, should judge, we came
into spacious vaulted chamber which
was brilliantly illuminated from the roof,
which was many feet above us. About
the room were scattered instruments
made of copper not known to me. The
walls were lined with discs of precious
metals, studded with emeralds and other
stones common to the Aztec period.
Manifesting that l was hungry, was
surprised to see a priest step to the center
of tine chamber and ina modulated voice
issue Il number of commands. In mo-
ment afterwards there appeared upon
copper table without any one being near
it a peculiarly she'll shaped server loaded
with fruit. The table was supported by
only one leg, and how the fruit reached
its destination without being placed there
by human hands is mystery.
My mozos were badly scared by what
had occurred since we entered the town
and they did not rclinquish their vigil
ance for moment and eyed one another
curiously after the fruit feat.
must say that was astonished, but
having before seen such magical doings
it did not impress Inc with such awe,
though it did cause me surprise.
BY sign l told the priests desired
to be alone with my men. Great was
my astonishment when one of them led
me to a highly polished piece of metal
and indicated to me that by placing my
hands upon it could when 1 desired
both see and communicate with them by
signs. He touched his fingers, by way
of explanation, to it and the whole town
was pictured upon tho metal. / saw
about the streets, which were laid out
with due precision to the cardinal points,
the inhabitants offering up prayers with
their heads inclined to the east. mo-
toned to the priest to have them arise.
lie spoke into an aperture near at hand
in a whisper, but voice, which must
have been echoed in thunder tones from
in its reverbations through the pyramid
tunnel to our chamber. The people
arose.
The priest, with many bows, conducted
me to ball that hung in mid air in the
central part of the chamber. He put it
to my ear. l stepped back amazed. The
noise as of a thousand voices heard in
the brief moment that l had the pecu-
liarly constructed globe to my ear. From
this time on l was positive in my belief
that the Aztecs were the masters of cleo
tricity; that they controlled the electri-
cal currents in the air, which did their
bidding better than our system Of wires.
In one corner of the room saw large
urn, in which there appeared to be earth.
l approached it, but was warned away
by the priest, who indicated to me that
if touched it would die. understood
in a moment that it was the great posi-
tive battery that worked in connection
with the earth negative. No liquids or
wire connected it with any place.
was left by my priest friends, who
moved out of the great hall backwards,
with their hands projecting on level
with their heads toward me.
My mozos, whose ignorance of science
made them superstitious, as soon as the
departure of the white robed men had
taken place, beseeched me to leave the
such move, believing it worth our lives
to attempt it so soon. explained the
situation, telling them to wait day OF
two and I would deliver them from
danger, and they agreed with me.
was enabled to keep my promise on tht
following day, after we had seen many
interesting sights.
1 fully intended to release my. serv
ants on the following day and TAX
chances with these strange people, who
lam convinced, are the last of the Aztecs
may be able to fathom their secrets ant
penetrate the mystery of Plato's Atlantis
Maud Howe's Romance.
Maud Howe received the goodly SUI
of $1,000 from The Ladies' Home Joul
nal for her new novel. About thirtee,
wears apo when Porte,'s rictnro oe 10