The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-11-15
A Curious Wall in Texas.

A Texas correspondent writes to one Of
the scientific departments Of the govern
ment of a strangely interesting prehistoric
wall discovered on the frontier of the Lone
Star State. This marvellous ruin surpasses
in interest all the other wonderful remains
hitherto found of the PEG lie who once in
habited the whole Mexican plateau and at
tanned high state of civilization. 1t passes
through Milano and has a total length of
sbout 90 miles. 1t is built of solid masonry,
10 to Is feet high and rs many feet thick.
It's height and thickness are thus almost
as great as the famous Chinese wall on the
north of China. Its direction is northeast
and southwest. 1t is for the most part I'M
derground, and this is one of the curious
things that puzzle those wise men who are
supposed to know all about prehistoric re-
mains. 1t is undoubtedly very old.
One might suppose it to be the sure foun-
dation of gigantic fortress which rose
above the ground many feet The towers
and other means of defense with which it
might have been provided have had time to
crumble away in the years that have passed.
The long fortress may have been pulled
down by the conqueriug invaders. AS the
people died out from the land the debris Of
the old wall would in either case cover its
foundation.
The Aztecs probably built this wall. They
have left some inscriptions on it, but since
their language is entirely lost no scholar
can ever hope to decipher them One GOV IS
n space eight feet square The charact rs
are kindred to Indian Inscriptions, but not
so closely allied that their mystery can be
penetrated.
There was undoubtedly populous vii
lage or city in the vicinity, for on high
hill near Milano tho remains of mighty
temple of worship are found This was
supported by more than 200 lofty pillars.
Some of them are still standing They were
made of clay which was well burned. This
gave them the appearance of stone
In this temple were placed many idols
broken parts of which are preserved. One
shaped like an owl is preserved entire
Human sacrifices We're made 20 these rs
well as sacr' ices Of birds, beasts ead rep
tiles Skulls and bones have been pr, served
In the clay. SomeOt THESE belonged tny.'ry
large animals. Some are petr...,d, '-:.l 81,
is thought that these carly A1,'e~ w3y
have understood the mt oi petrtncI On aad
thus preser' i the bones of their ST. .iu,,-
Many of the skulls show luarl,s VI yi.,roc'',
which was lone prrhrp- wien thu n'il.an
| victims were ,.aiu strange TO say, uonc
| of these 81 lis is larger than thc hrHd OF
| an infant, 81. they DHrc tuu.ar tr,.ll
The idols are al curiously marked.
| Around each pillar small stones are piled
| up in circles or SQUARES, aud inside each
| circle underneath the pillar there is cen.
ter or fousd ion stone fashioned to repre-
sent the Godnead. Near the wall there are
also furnaces, in which the natives smelted
iron.
The locality and direction of the wall are
not easily accounted for Perhapsit marks
! the boundary of certain tribal territory
which was exposed to the attacks of the
enemy. An enormous amount of labor and
material must have been required for its
construction if built above the ground on
the same gigantic plan as the foundation.
Although there were toward l 900 900 people
then living in that vicinity, the work must
have extended over a considerable period OF
time. Unless this was some strategic point,
It is difficult to understand how but a few
thousand could be interested In its con
struction. - Washington Star.