Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-07-27
The CITY IN The DESERT,
Ruins Of Prehistoric Buildings DiscoY-
cred In tho Colorado Desert, Cal.
Farther Particulars Of the ii""
nrIeny Mentioned In the Dispatches
Received Yesterday.

A San Diego, California, dispatch
Of July 25th, which appeared In the
NEWS Tuesday evening, gave oriei
account Of the discovery, made by
prospectors In the Colorado DESERT
California, Of the ruins OF pre-
historic city. The telegram further
stated that a party which started out
from San Diego TO explore these ruins
had been driven back by a furious
sandstorm, but would make another
effort 10 reach the place.
The fret discovery was made by
treasure-hunters from Arizona. Three
weeks ago a party Of prospcciors, con-
sisting Of Hank Ferguson, Theodore
Price, Gus Anterior aud John Uiine'
LEFT Yuma ia search OF tue mysterious
Pegleg mine. They took new dircc'
tion after leaving the Colorado rlver
bottom and bent their courso slightly
10 the northwest, toward the Cocopah
mountains, In the hope that as the
fabled mine was not 10 be found on
the most direct route across the dcsert
Il might reveal itself In some oul-oi-
the.way place toward the bleak ana
uninviting peaks Of the Cocopahs.
The men prospected along the I'M
BEATEN trails, but without success -
They cane into region where the
rocky hills gave good indications oi
being gold bearing. One particular
spot some little distance from where
the party camped, shower Whht the
mes supposed were bikes Of granite
extending In peculiar manner auoNe
the surface.
Hank Ferguson and some OF the
Others went over 10 have closer look
and were amazed 60 come upon the
ruins OF what appeared TO have Teen
great stone building or scrles OF
buildinge. Tue objects they had seen
from camp were granite pillars Of re-
msrkably quaint design that seem 10
have been tho entrance 10 the Htfuc'
tife. Ferguson and hia associates
began further Inspection OF their
queer bud, which from their accounts
will undoubtedly prove 10 bu the most
important archaeological discovery
that has come ~ tho notice oil scientists
for Year,.
The walls Of the once great building
had teen taken down or perhaps had
been shaken TO the ground ~ the tie-
mendous earthquakes that even TO this
day visit the desert region, terrifying
the Indians and Teyiving tho mui
volcanoes.
A rough approximation OF tho extent
of the ruins showed them 10 DO about
T.. ~ faa.f mFNNes ThV
north and east walls, or what little
remained OF them, we're exposed TO
view, Ms well a. portion OF the south
wall. The p.llars already mentioned
were upon the north side aud
were cnriously formed 70 repre-.
sent mathematics. They were slightly
curved, the bottom or tail ends were
made 10 resemble this rAttles, aud upon
their heads rested immense Stats OF
granite weighing tons. In all forty.
eight pills some fairly well preserved,
were found, and all were beautifully
propoftioned. At their tops, above tho
snakes heads, was ffieze Ornamental.
tion. resembling Egyptian sculpture,
and exhibiting far more sKill Ia It's
workmanship tnan Ia possessed by tho
Indians OF the present day. Tho in-
closure between the walls was filled
with debris, and no satisfactory exam
inhtion OF tho interior could be- made
However, fragments VI pottery were
found near the surface, which, with a
piece OF the stone upon which was "a
small portion q the ornamenlation,
were carried away by the prOspectors.
Ferguson says that he could see no
cement or similar material that had
been used In the construction Of the
building, big slabs OF granite having
apparently been laid one upon an
other. All around the exposed parts
the same Glass Of OTnamentati0n was
found that WIS upon tie pillars. In
one place nj the foot Of the stone pill.
lars stone BtepH were found hewn cut
Of granite. The number Of steps, on
account OF the earth anu debris, could
not be- ascertnined.
Ferguson and his associates were
naturally much excited over the die
coverits ana gave no further thought
10 prospecting for minerals. Aftei
resting anu taking particular note o.
the locality, two oi thu party started 4
return to Yuma, and Ferguson ana hil
companion headed toward San Diego
They arrived there over week ago
ditt.begrlmod and with tho appear
Rnce Of having had hard trip, Tn
wonderful discovery they had mad
was kept a secret between them 70
several days there being an agree
ment to that effect among the party.
Ferguson proposed 10 md some maj
Of capital who would make an exam
inatiOn OF the ruins. He though
the discovery would prove profitable
He bt0achui the matter 90 II. {
Gordon Of San Diego, told the stor.
Of the great fud, and eXhibite
pottery and fragments Of the grant,
with its wonderful carving. The stor
seemed "hshy" to Gordon and h