Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-08-19

been found. Tradition has described
II as an archaeological treasury. and
had located it somewhere amid the
wild lands and savage tribes OF east
ern Mexico. Men Tersed in the his
tory and landmarks of the ancient
Aztec empire and its kindred princi-
palities have sought in vain for the
ruins OF this once great city. Teayo,
1t is known, once rivaled Choluea as
a mysterious religious mecca and
rivaled even the Aztec Mexico in com
mercial and military importance. The
discovery Of the ruins of the snc!ent
Otomite capital, in the state Of Vera
Cruz, was ma5e month ago. For
300 years it had been hidden from the
eyes Of civilized mar Strangely
enough Teayo has nel er been with
out inhabitants. The dread otomite
indians, who have caused the Mexican
nation anxiety decade after decade
and still resist the authorities sue
cessfully, never abandoned the seat
of power OF their ancestors. This
race, commendable for its love of Ia
| SNA c~@A AA00oNAy CT lCA AOAC OC-
cause of its sanguinary character,
has kept all civilized people out Of
Teayo until this late day. But at last
the Otomite capital stands clear Of
the dark past and offers to science
some extraordinary subjects for
study.
Some months ago an American min
ing engineer sent a party into Vera
Cruz to prospect the mountains for
minerals. After the arrival in the
state the party decided to investigate
deposits of coal which appeared to
be abundant and promised rich re-
suits. Guides were engaged for diff
ferent districts. Among these was
an Otomite who had been captured
By the Mexicans during the last war
and forced into the army, but who
had escaped and returned to his
country. This Indian was one of the
few who had learned Spanish while
IN the army. He informed the Amer
leans that there was vein Of coal
near Teayo, and volunteered to guide
the party to the locality.
The Americans undertook the jour
ney. For IA days they travelled
through mountains almost unknown
even to Mexicans, at times cutting
their way through the jungle with
hatchets. While the distance was
not great. the obstacles made the
journey one of hardships. Dangers
were many. The region abounds with
tigers, lions and serpents. If the
party had not been accompanied by
the Otomite they would have fallen vic
tim, if not to wild animals, to the ma
tives, who exclude strangers from the
country Having overcome all diff
ficulties that lay in their path. the
prospectors arrived near Teayo and
inspected the carboniferous deposits.
The Otomite guide went to the ruined
city and obtained the permission Of
the inhabitants to bring the strang-
ers there. Under these circum-
stances the Americans entered the
place, being the first representatives
Of modern civilization to do so free
from constraint Those composing
this party of unexpected discovery
were George Lowell Roberts, Herbert
Gray, F. L. Won Roncan and Law
renee MacGregor.
Some photographs of prime import
ance have been obtained and the de-
ciphering of hieroglyphics is slowly
demonstrating that a discovery Of
exceptional historic value has been
made. The most interesting Of the
ruins o. the ancient OJomite city is
the sacrificial tower, which now rises
65 feet above the ground. This trunc-
ated pyramid formerly had an alti
tude of over 100 feet. 1t was robbed
of 40 feet of its height through the
erosion of the country, and is being
slowly buried under the alluvium.
According TO tradition, the struc-
ture in the days of Otomite civiliza-
ton rose much higher terminating in
point, the entire mass being built
In conformity with the portion at
present visible. Although the exact
angles Of the structure cannot now
be determined, owing to many irreg-
ular subsidences, it is not probable
that the Otomites builded to the
height suggested II tradition is
right the original extreme altitude
was approximately 200 feet, making
it the most elevated structure of its
kind in Mexico. There is no doubt
that it was considerably more than
100 feet above the soil at one time,
as is indicated by the great quantity
of stones detached from it. scattered
about the vicinity. The over-active
hand of man undoubtedly demolished
a great part of it. However, tradition
cannot be supported. Structures OF
this form were usually truncateG, and
not pyramidal, among Mexican an
clients. But, separating tradition
from reality the sacrificial tower
stands forth one of the most impress
! ing remnants, If not the most import
ant monument, of Mexican antiquity.
Considering its size and age. 1t is the
best preserved prehistoric structure
on the continent.
At the ground the north and south
side extends 65 feet from corner to
! corner, and the east and west IS
leet. The width Of the stairs on the
! east side is so feet to the ground,
and Is IS feet at the summit. n IN
I =