The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-07
SECRETS OF AGES
ARE DISCOVERED
Messages From One of the Oldest Civilizations on
Earth Found by Professor SavIIe.
TAKEN FROM THE MOUNDS OF ZAPOTECS
Wonderful Stories Coming From the Mexican City of Ma-So I'M
portant Are the Interesting Archaeological Finds Professor
Savile viii Remain Another Year--Leopod Bares
Will Assist in the Work
stone which held the two below.

stone which held the two below.
CHAPEL FOR IDOLS.
There were four halls above and be
low. They were divided in this way:
That in front served as q chapel and
sanctuary for the idols, which were plac-
ed on q large stone that served as an al
tar at the great feasts or al the funeral
OF some king and principal chief TIE
superior gave notice TO the lesser priests
or inferior officers that they should ar
range the vestments and decorate the
chapel and prepare the incense. They
went down with q great escort without
any Of the people seeing them, nor was
it ever permitted them TO turn their faces
toward the procession. being persuaded
that they would fan dead in the act of
disobedience.
Upon entering the chapel the priest
put on a large white cotton robe and an
other one embroidered with figures of
beasts and birds In the manner of a sur
plice or chasuble. Upon his head he had
something after the style Of nitre. and
upon the feet another invention woven
with threads Of different colors, and thus
clothed he came with great pomp and
Circumstance to the altar
Making the great obeisance 70 the
idols, he renewed the incense. and began
70 talk very much between his teeth with
these figures, the depositaries Of Internal
spirits. In this kind of communication
he continued with these def0rmed and
horrid objects, that held all overcome
with terror and amazement until he re-
covered from his diabolical trance, and
told the spectators al the actions and
orders which the spirit had persuaded
him Of, or which he had invented.
when he was obliged 10 make human
sacrifices the ceremonies were doubled.
and the assistants bent the victim across
a great stone, and. opening the breast
with some knives Of flint. they tore it
apart with horrible contortions of the
body. and. laying bare the heart they
tore it out with the soul for the Demon.
They carried the heart to the chief priest
that ne might offer it to the idols. putting
it TO their mouths with other ceremonies,
The body they threw into the sepulchre
OF the blessed, as they called it.
II after the sacrifice any one wished 70
detain those w'so oficiated, or TO demand
some favor. he was informed by the in
ferior priests that he could not go to his
house until his gods were appeased, com
handing him 70 practise penance. fasting
without speaking to any woman but only
10 the priest OF one doing penance for
vice honesty was required and until he
declared that he pracHsed It he was not
allowed TO depart from the enclosure.
VERY SAD AND DOLOROUs.
"One han was the burial place of these
priests. and another han was for the
kings OF Heozapotlan, who brought dec
oratons of the best garments. feathers. /
jewels and chains of gold with precious
stones. arming them with shield in the
left hand and in the right a sword. Ike
those they used in their wars. During
the funeral rites they played upon very
sad aud dolorous instruments. and with
grievOus lamentations and great sobbing
they went on chanting the life and ex-
ploits Of their chief. until they placed
him upon the funeral pile intended for
him
THE last han had another door at the
rear into an obscure and fearful opening
that was closed with a great stone 10
shut the entire entrance. and into it they
threw the bodies Of thase THAI they had
sacrificed ana also those of great chiefs
or captains that had been kiHe5 in battle
whence they brought chem although from
q great distance Tor The purpose ~ bury
ing them there Here was uraotised the
Blind barbarity of the Indians.
The blind priests taught those who
were suffering from infrnitias az from
their labors that here they might hona
for q happy lie. and they bet them in