Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-31
4 FORBIDDEN CITY.


@tAs ihhaDiteu Dy lnuiahs ana was Never
| Entered by White Men.
Mr.. Juan Alvarez, who has Just re-
turned from an exploring expedition in
the southwestern part of the Republic,
q dispatch from the City of Mexico says,
reports that he has found city which has
never been entered by white man, and
which has evidently been in existence
for hundreds Of years, going back before
the time OF the conquest of the country
by the Spaniards. Ii is an old Aztec
city, and the approaches to it are so
guarded by nature that it is an impossi-
bility to reach IL if the inhabitants do
not want the traveller to get in.
The city lies in tho almost inaccessi-
bic mountains in the region lying in the
southwestern part Of the country. and
is so far away from civilization that few
white men have ever been in the neigh
tarhood. 1t was by the purest accident
that Alvarez became aware that city
was anywhere in the vicinity, and after
he found it all of his endeavors to reach
it were unavailing, on account of the
persistent opposition of the natives.
He had been travelling over the noun
talns in search of an outlet 10 the Pacific
ocean, when he came to the top of an
elevated plateau and crossed TO the
further edge. He had magnificent
view, and while looking over the coun-
try saw what he took to be houses in
far distant valley. A close inspection
with glass soon convinced him that
what he saw was really collection of
houses, and he at once set about reach
ing the place to see who lived in that
part of the country.
After days of hard work climbing
over cliffs and mountains he reached Il
place from which he obtained a good
view of the city, and saw that it was
regularly laid out in streets and was
peoped with u race who knew some
thing about civilization. The houses
We're of stone and were surrounded by
yards, in which were growing flowers
and shrubs. On all sides wore evidences
OF taste shown by the inhabitants, and
it was evident that he had found city
which was not known to the outside
world.
A careful examination of the country
showed him that the city was within a
natural amphitheatre and was accessible
from one side only. lie sHw that the
only means of access was through long
and narrow defle which led into the |
mountains from the Pacific coast side, |
ana he started to reach the place where |
he could find this entrance. He made |
an outline drawing Of the city MS il APP
peared to him from the distant mountain |
top, and this Is all he has to show that
there is city within the heart Of the
mountains, for he was never allowed to
reach the spot.
From this drawing it is plain that the
city has not less than 1000 inhabitants.
The houses are all stope, and are sup
piled with doors and windows. In the
centre was a large building, which was
undoubtedly the temple of worship, for
on its walls could be seen sculptured de-
signs representing tho Deity. 1t was in
the shape OF the ancient teocalli, which
are to be found in many parts of this
country, and the people could be seen
passing in and out of it during all hours
OF the day.
After ten days arduous work Alvarez
found himself at the foot OF the noun
tains on the western slope, and sci about
searching for the canyon leading to the
city. lie had so well marked the lay OF
the land that he had no difficulty in
finding the entrance, buthe was met by
oanu OF Indians Who refused to let him |
proceed They offered him no violence,
but insisted that bic should return. He
told them that he had come over the
mountains and that he did not know
how to get back.
After a consultation, he was told that
he would have TO remain while as
prisoner, and two runners were sent
into the mountains, who returned in
day with orders from some one in au-
thority, and Alvarez was blindfolded
and placed on the back of a mule. He
travelled in this condition for three days,
only having the bandage removed from
his eyes at night. On the fourth day
he was told to remove the bandage, and
when he did so he found himself on the
borders of the Pacific ocean. The In
dians had gone, leaving him with moth
ing to guide him back to the place where
he had seen the city.