Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-14
LOST CITY FOUND.
Interesting Discovery of a Mex
lean Explorer.
ANEW FIELD FOR HENRY STANLEY

The Forgotten Relics of "a Long-Ago Civ
ilization To re Brought TO LiGht-How
Well Built City Was Found by Juan
Alvarez, Who Was Refused Admission
A Story That Reads Like "A Romance,
and Perhaps Is One.
CITY OF MEXICO Dec IA Mr.. Juan
Alvarez, who has just returned from an
exploring expedition in the southwestern
part of the republic, reports that he has
found city which has never been entered
by white men, 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. It is an
old Aztec city and the approaches to it
are so guarded by nature that it is an i'm
possibilities to reach it if the inhabitants do
not want the traveller to get in. The city
lies in the almost inaccessible mountains
in the region lying in the extreme south
western part of the country, and is so far
away from civilization that few white
men have ever been in the neighborhood.
Struck the Town by Accident.
1t was by the merest accident that AL
where in the vicinity, and after he had
discovered it all his efforts to reach it,
were unavailing on account of the per-
sistent opposition Of the natives He had
been travelling over the mountains in
search OF an outlet to the Pacific ocean,
when be came to the top of an elevated
plateau and crossed to the farther edge.
He had a magnificent view, and looking
over the country saw what he took to be
houses in far distant valley. A close in
spection with glass soon convinced him
that what he saw was really a collection
of houses and he at once set about reach.
Ing the place to see who lived in that part
Of the country.
Got n Closer View of the Place.
After days of hard work climbing over
cliffs and mountains he reached place
from which he obtained good view OF tho
city, and saw that it was regularly laid
out in streets and peopled with a race who
knew something about civilization. The
houses were of stone, and were surrounded
by yards in which were growing flowers
and shrubs. On all sides were 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 o: the country
showed him that the city was within a
natural amphitheatre, and was accessible
from one side only.
The Only Means of Access.
He saw that the only means Of access
was through long and narrow defile
which led into the mountains from the
Pacific coast side, and he started to reach
the place where he could find this en-
trance. He made an outline drawing OF
the city as it appeared to him from the
distant mountain top, and this is all he
has to show that there is city within
never allowed to reach the spot.
Could See the People Moving.
From this drawing it is plain that the
city has not less than 1 900 inhabitants
The houses are all of stone and are sup
piled with doors and windows In the
center was large building which was
undoubtedly the temple of worship, for
on its walls could be seen sculptured de-
signs representing the deity. 1t was in
the shape of the ancient teocali which
are to be found in many parts of this
country, and the people could be seen
passing in AMI out OF it during all hours
of the day
There was no Thoroughfare
AlieT Ten ddyS arOuOuS WORK Alvarez
found himself at the foot of the noun
tains on the western slope, and set about
searching for the canyon leading to the
city. He had so well marked the lay of
the land that he had no difficulty in find
ing the entrance, bat he was met by n
band of Indians who refused to let him
proceed They offered him no violence,
but insisted that he should return He
told them that he had come over the
mountains and that he did not know how
to get back. After consultation he was
told that he would have to remain awhile
as prisoner.
Given a Free Mule Ride.
Two runners were sent into the noun
tains who returned in day with orders
from one in authority, and Alvarez was
blindfolded and placed on the back of a
mule. He Travelled in this condition for
three days. only having the bandage re-
moved 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 tie borders ofthe Pacific ocean.
The Indians had gone, leaving him with
nothing to guide him back to the place
where he had seen the city.
Imitatnrz of ha IIendara