The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-26
COSTA RIGA NEWS.
Railroad Accident Near the Capltal-A n
mnrkn blo American.

hSurOou Aeclocnt wear the SopNnh-h Ekcs
mnrknbie American.
SAN JOSE Dec. A singular accident &C.
Cured yesterday on the Atlantic division OF
the Costa RIGA Railway. not Ave miles from
this capital in which Mr.. g. W. Camphins. the
agent and manager OF the River Plate Com
pany Of London. was fatally injured. dying
shortly after from his injuries The train con-
sisted OF freight and passenger cars. and the
accident occurred on the descent from the
ridge half way between Cartago and San jose.
rail broke. and the last car was thrown
from the track. Several passengers and tn o
conductor saved themselves by lenping from
tho train. Mr.. Camphins was on energetic
Engllshman. who had explored q good deal OF
wild country In the interests Of tho company
he represented.
A few days ago there died at the hospital In
this city an American who came from Baltl-
more more than thirty years ago to seek his
fortune. and who had never revisited the Unit
cd states. This was John E Lyon. who. dur
Ing these thirty long years. was the first and
for a time the only white man in Talamanca.
that marvellous aud as yet little known coun-
try. Lyon was originally sea captain. He
drifted into the harbor OF Bocas del Toro. saw
the magnificent virgin forests Of the coasts.
and dreamed Of enchanting untrodden re-
glons awaiting him further inland. He went
up the rivers q little distance and decided
that he had not been mistaken. There was
small sign OF human life. He resolv-
cd to locate and create a habitation in
the new paradise But he was not
permitted to remain long undisturbed. From
upon him q number Of dusky warriors. bronze
him prisoneg. and their King, whose name was
I.apiz Pencil in Spanishl. ordered his eSecu-
speak tRer IN What he
bad acquired In touching as mariner at
He was bound to o tree. and there in passive
was to put IN end to him. Something in bis
was ertsinIy brave. His bravery. affected
Spanish forces; 1t is uncertain whether any
os bs e o.
After awhile he was liberated. and. as he
by he became their friend and adviser. mar mar
aHrsa hs 5e as;s nd.
poolnted him Jefe folitco Tor the region. giving
Here he lived year after year in a two-roomed
house Of cana with comfortable beds. table.
curious sort Of Calendar Consisting Of Board
| with pegs. one OF which no moved every morn
| ing. and 80 kept account Of the flight OF time.
Visited him last July with . party q other
| cana house. built high above the ground to
| shelter the cattle that crept underneath at
| night and lowed mysteriously In one's very
| ears. His house was half milo distant from
| the fan Bernardo settlement surrounded OF
| all sides by lush grasses and with q mysterious
woodland path leading OF toward the spark
| ling Uren River All the Talamanca Indians
| Of the present generation. regarded hin. rs
their father. He spoke to them in their own
tongue. and his slightest request was law. He
had beautiful fields Of cacao and the begin
ming Of tobacco plantation and a good deal
OF live stock. and fine large. canoes to 60 up
and down the river: but he had not the Sign Of
| modern implement. such as one would look
for on hearing the word American"
He appeared to exist dreamfully from day
to day, happy in simply existing In those
| splendid and remote forests. with their small
clearings. their mysterious palenQues. and In
the distance the allurtng mountains where the
gold Is hidden. One OF the highest peaks in
the Southern Cordillera Is named for him. Mt.
Lyon. He was q eurious-looking man. thin
Gentle and Courteous n an Sla- isshIen ed Wy: :
had been his .ohildhood's home. The Costa
Ricans gave him a fine funeral. with military
honors and speeches, and buried him In the
Panteon. the beautiful cemetery OF this capital.
Cecil, CHARLES.