Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-24
MOUNTAINS OF GOLD.
OLD MINES RICH IN MINERALS AND
 DEAD MEMS BONES.

MT. RusselI's Discoveries Tn the Stronghold
 of a Race of Strange Indians-Remarka-
 ble Stories Told by m American Resid-
 ing In Mexico.
 Fabulous deposits of gold are known to exist In tho Sierra do Nayarat, in the territory of Topic, near tho west coast of Mexico D. B. Russell 0 we'll known American residing in this place. and who is an extensive manufacturer and dealer in machinery and apparatus for mining, has returned from trip into tho mystcri- ous fastnesses which, with their inhabit- ants, have long baffled the attempts of the prospectors to unrayel their golden mystery of the centuries MT. Russell, who Is an old resident hero, and whose word is never disputed, is perhaps the only man who has been allowed to view the riches and 1.-Two to repeat the story. Others have penetrated part of the way into the Eldorado,, but have always met death ut the hands of tho Alacian 1ndinns who hold the stronghold and iealously guard it's secret.
 The gold belt lies in tho Sierra do Ma yarat, rugged and almost inaccessible rango of mountains some 90 miles north
 
 journey from this city. There is also an other range known as the Alica, running nearly parallel with the Nayarat, which is inhabited and guarded by il brave and warlike race of Indians, the Alacians. They are supposed to be direct descendants of the Aztocs. Securing military escort from tho governor of Topic, Mr. Russell set out on his perilous journey and in due timo reached tho entrance to tho canyon, in and about which aro all the settlements of this mysterious people.
 Nuar tho close of the second day the ex- plorers passed over the last rango of noun tains shutting in tho Alacians and had their first glimpse of the entrance to the valley. It is narrow pass between two cliffs, which rise almost perpendicularly to height of nearly 5000 feet, and is Q natural wonder. Tho view into tho valley proper is shut off by mountain wall run ming at right angles to the pass. From the top of the mountain the captain of tho escort sent an interpreter to notify tho chief of the first village beyond of tho coming of MT. Russell and his party. while they followed cautiously. It was after dark when they noared tho entrance to the village and were met by a chief and crowd of natives in their gala dress, who, accompanied by band of music, came to extend O seemingly hearty vol como All the natives except tho chief wore complete suits of birds feathers. which covered them from head to foot.
 At ybreak they started for the main city, place of 6,0o0 CT 1000 persons long days travel away. The intervening country was found to be under a high state of cultivation, corn vegetables, fruits and other products being raised in abun- dance on terraces 9. 900 feet or more up the mountain sides, which, in places, havo a slope of 45 degrees. Even the highest of these terraces seemed to bo well irrigated.
 The houses along the route wero roomy and comfortable adobe structures, and the people were well supplied with cattlo, COWS especially, and largo numbers of tame deer. The natives are straight fea tured, with long rather than oval faces, very quick and energetic in tbeir movo' ment and experts at handling their bows, arrows and slings, with which they always go armed.
 Mr. Russell scanned the surrounding hills eagerly during the journey for evil denoe of the mineral wealth, and 1t was not long before he was overwhelmed by It. The valley is so narrow that he could scru tinize tho mountains on both sides, and along toward the middle of tho day he be- gan to catch glimpses of old tunnels and the openings of abandoned mining shafts. On nearing projecting spur he saw what looked like mineral vein, and when ho came to it there was plainly to bo seen fine streak of gold quartz, inches wido running through rocks
 That night was spent at the house of the chief of tho main village, who told Mr. haf ants of tho "fathcrs of Mexico" and had been conquered by either Spaniards or Mexicans in their wars with the latter. Some 50 years ago Mexican troops tried to subjugato them, but were driven out of the valley and far beyond. Then tho gov ernmcnt made peace with them, so that HOW they have to pay only small tribute to be loft alone in their mountain homes.
 The old chief hesitatod long before granting Mir. Russell permission to inspect tho holes in the mountains, but finally consented and the noxt morning sent him off with guard of 30 men. These were greatly exercised when Mir Russell an nounced that he was going down into the shafts, and 1t was only on the chiefs or der that they accompanied him. When MT. Russell climbed up to the shafts, he saw at once that they were openings of old mines.
 Tho first mine Mr. Russell entered was dark, and he had to descend by means of n log of wood notched for footholds. When he landed at the bottom. he felt something under his foot, and holding candle down was mortified to find himself standing on mass of human bones, which fell apart md rattled with every move he made. He was so overcome that bo sank down on O rock and gazed aghast at the menentos of either some tragedy or religious observ- ancc, but us he sat his eyes fell upon tho finest ledge of gold he had ever seen in his life By this time the horrors of the dead chamber had worn away, and ho clipped