Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-12-16
Mexico's Forbidden City.

Mr. su9n Alvarez, WHO mas JosI &c ufEeu
20 tie Cits IL Mexico from an exploring ex-
pocition in the southwestern part of the re-
Pubic, reporis that be has found city
which he's never been entered By Wbi.e
men, sad which has evidently been 10 e1.
isteaCe fer hut dreds OF years, goiDg back
tetore the Inns Of the conquest CT the ooun
try ny the Spsniards. Il Ia an old Az &C
city, o d the approaches to 1t are SO guard
"a hy bstIre that 1t ls an imposeibiity to
reach 1t If the inhabitants do lot want the
traTeler 10 get in-
The city lies In the sinosS Inaccessible
mountains ln the region lying nths extreme
south Res.ern part of the country, and is 30
fas eway from civilization that fsw white
nan hsve ever been In the neighborh ocd.
Il vas ty the pnrest accident that Alvarez
tecsme ewa:e that city was sn7where 10
the vicinity. and after he found it sil OF his
endesvors to reach 1t we're uDevsiiipg, on
account Of the persistent opposition Of tue
l&ti7ss
He had been traveiirg over the mountains
10 search OF en outlet 10 thu Pacific Octa :,
plateau and crossed TO the further edge. He
nad magnificent view, and, while locking
ever the country saw what he took to be
hcusea In far distant valley. a clcss iG-
speotioa With glass soon convinced him
lbst wbat he cav vas really collection OF
housse, aud Es at once eet about reaching
tbs pace, to sse who lived In that part oi
the country.
After days OF hard work climbing over
cliff, sn6 mcuntsns be reached place from
which be obtained good view Of the city,
sad saw that II wss regularly lsid cut In
streets, and was peopled with race who
sne1 something about civilization. The
a1uscs were Of stone, and were surrounded
by yards, In which were growing flowers and
shrubs. Oa all sidee we're evidences OF taste
shown by the Inhabitants. and ii was evident
lhet he had found city which was cot
xnown to the outside world.
a careful examination OF the country
showed him that the city was within nat
uyal mphitheater, and was accessible from
one side cniy. Ee saw hat the cnly meana
Of access wes through long and narrow de-
file which led into the mountains from the
Pacific coaet side, and he started to reach
he place where he could 6cd this entrance.
Es made an outline drawing & The city as
it appeared to him from the distant noun
tain top, ard this Is sll he has to show that
there lie city within the heart of the mcun
tains, for be Was never allowed to reach the
spot.
From this drawing 1t Is plain That the city
has not less than four thousand inhabitants.
The houses are all CT stone and are supplied
with doors and windows. 10 the centre Wss
lsrge building, which was undoubtedly hs
eppe of worship, for on Its walls could be
s;en sculptured designs representing the
Deity. II was In The ehspe Of the ancient
Jeocalli, which are to be found 10 msny arts
Of this country, epd the people could be sseD
passing il and GU. Of it during all hours CT
The day.
After tea days arducus work Alvarez
found himself st the foot cf the mountains
% the western slope, and get atoat search
irg for the canyon leading to the city. H.
asd so we'll marked the lay of the land that
he had no difficulty In finding the entrance;
but te was met by band Of Indians, WHO
refu,ed to let him proesed. They offered
him 10 violencs, but insisted that he should
return. He told them thai he had come
o7er the mountains, aad hs did not kaow
aow TO get back.
After consultation he was told thst be
would have TO remain awhile as prisoner,
ard two runoers we're ssnt into the mouL-
ans who returned In day with orders
ron soue one In authority, and AlVarez
was bird o.dsd and placed On The back
| Of mule. Ee travelled in this conditier q
oT three days. only having the bandsgs rt-
| moved from hie eyes at night.
Ga the fourth day ne was told to reno, Q
| the bandage, and when he did go he 'ouZ d
himself on the borders of the Pacific Cesar.
The Indians had gone, leaving him with ne.
chirg to guide him back to the place whe Q
ae had seen the city.