The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-07
MOUNTAIN
Of sulphur
American Capital to Reap a
Golden Harvest
OUT OF POPOCATAPETL
Volcano in Time of the Ad-
venturouS CorteS

Z
source of golden profit. The deposits
are so vast. the material of such com
parative purity and the proposed under
taking so odd that the story is one of I'm
usual interest. Popocatepeti, the sonW
| capped sentinel which rears its hoary
head to the southeast OF the valley O.
| Mexico, may soon be harnessed with
modern contrivances which will dig deer
into its gigantic heart.
Captain Charles Holt, representative OF
| the syndicate has been, looking over tbs
! ground for some time, and not long age
/ he and Mr.. Samuel Green, a capitalist OF
| this city spent night in the crater
/ They brought back samples of pure sui
! phur and were apparently much gratified
by their survey. though they refused tc
divulge any of their plans
Cnmoved by the silent grandeur which
! has excited admiration from the time
when the lofty peak first came within the
range of vision of the daughty Spaniards
not possessed of the fear entertained BY
the ancient Aztecs, who believed the era
of the wicked rulers, these North Ameri-
| cans, worshippers of the almighty dollar
are prepared to delve into the very bowels
of the gran volcan" for their quest OF
wealth.
Popocatepeti. in times agone, doubt
less deserved its name which means the
hill that smokes but during the recent
years il has given no sign of volcanic dis
turbances. IZtaccihauti, the white wo-
man." credited by Indian superstition
with being the bride of her more colossal
neighbor, still deserves the appelation. for
she never has discarded the white robe
of snow which so becomes her.
When Cortes, with his adventurous fol-
lowers. went to Mexico no man had ever
attempted the accent of Popocatepetl. The
Aztecs. who regarded the volcano with
genuine terror, probably could not have
been induced to face the natural diff
culties of the task, even had their tradi-
tons not placed an effectual veto on the
attempt. Not so the Spaniards, who
courted peril for the love of it.
In the year 1919 Diego Ordaz. one of
Cortes' officers, accompanied by nine
Spaniards and a number of Tlascalans,
made the attempt, but was unsuccessful.
However. they passed the limits of per-
petual snow and brought back huge
icicles. which were TO the natives objects
of wonder and proof of the dauntless
valor of Lhe Adventures.
Two years later Cortes sorely in need
of sulphur for the manufacture of gun
powder sent Francisco Montana. with a
party Of four Spaniards. TO bring the
article from the crater. The effort was
crowned with success. After reaching
the rim of the crater the Spaniards drew
lots to determine who should descend
therein. The perllous task fell TO Mon
tano. who was lowered in a basket. Suf-
ficient sulphur was secuerd. but the dan
ger was so great as TO decide Cortes not
to repeat the venture.
The ascent of Popocatepetl today is a
comparatively easy matter. The trip is
made from Mexico City by rail TO Ameca-
MEGA. thence on horseback TO the halfway
house. and from there TO the summit on
foot. Guides are easily secured. and any
person Of ordinary endurance san climb
TO the crater If the trip is made at the
right season the descent can be made on
a ''petate" mat-in nearly as many
minutes as the hours consumed in max
ing the ascent.
Popocatepetl is the property of General
Gaspar Sanchez Ochoa. who acquired title
by "denouncing' the summit as a mineral
prospect and by purchase of lands COM
prising the sides and base Besides the
value OF the sulphur deposits the property
includes valuable tracts Of timber and
water falls suitable for the development
of electrical energy.
On the summit of the volcano are two
peaks, the highest OF which is practically
inaccessible; the other is known BY the
name OF 'Espinazo del Diablo"-Spine Of
the Devil. The crater itself contains prac-
tically an inexhaustabe supply Of sulphur,
which, through the workings OF nature.
is in a constant state of renovation.
The sulphur is Of excellent quality. con-
tains neither iron nor arsenic, and has a
higher commercial value than the product
Of Etna At present the deposits are
worked on a very small scale, the sulphur
being extracted by Indians. carried out
Of the crater in small quantities and re-
dned by primitive methods.
The first plan conceived by General
Ochoa was to build an aerial cable train
10 the summit over the rim and down into
the crater. The present project IS 70 build
the lire only TO the level OF the floor OF
the crater and construct tunnel through
the side of the mountain The cost OF the
work is estimated at 5000. In connec-
ton with the aerial line a railroad Is pro-
jected TO run from TlamacaS. at the base
OF the mountain. 70 Amecanecs. which.
with the necessary refueries would re-
quire a capital OF half q million dollors-
General Sanchez Ochoa. the owner OF
Popocatepetl. is al interesting character.
he was for eighteen years chief OF the
Department OF Military Engineers. and
although advanced in years still remains
In active service as a member OF the Su-
prene Court OF Military Justice For the
last thirty-fve years he has lived II the
City OF Mexico. where he has made the
Iturbide Hotel his home. Here for thirty
one consecutive years he has occupied
the same apartments
The General is siXty-five years OF age
Each yezr. on his saints day. the sixth
OF January. the band OF the CORPS %
engineers repairs 10 the paYio OF the hotsl
to serena6e the old chief OF the deps-t-
meut. With the band 50 army officers.
state officials and personal friends 10
offer congratulations The Itu-biee Is
favorite resort Of Americans. and as an
act OF courtesy the General invariably
directs that some Americans be Played