The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-06-03
DESERTED CITY
IS A MYSTERY
Discovered by Gold Seeker
Who Lost His Trail.
COULD NEVER FIND IT AGAIN
Was Once a P0pnlOus City,
But Now Silence Reigns
Supreme There.

Mexico City, May 29.-The mysteri-
GUS, abandoned city known to be To-
Gated in the heart of the Sierra
Madres, in the State of Durango, was
again stumbled upon recently by
Henry Brodworth, an American pros
pector, who arrived at Durango, few
days ago, and told his story. He says
that the wonderful town is situated
from the remote mining camp of San
Dimas. He was on his way to Papas-
quiaro from San Dimas, accompanied
by Mexican mozo, or servant. They
lost the trail in the mountains, and
for nearly a week they wandered
around trying to find a pathway that
could be followed by their mules and
lead them out of the almost inaccessi-
BILE mountains.
1t was while in this plight that they
came upon the ancient city, The
buildings OF which are still standing
in an almost perfect slate of pres
eryation. They spent part Of a day
in the town, exploring its streets.
The deathliDe stiffness of the place,
and the mystery of its depopulation
were more than The superstitious Mex
lean servant could stand, and he
threatened to desert Brodworthbon the
spot unless ne left the town forth
with. Rather than lose his servant, the
American again sought the recesses
of the mountains, and after another
day of wandering, again struck The
trail and arrived, in due time, at
the railroad town of Papasquiaro, and
went from there to Durango. He mad
a careful note of the directions fol-
lowed by them after leaving the place
and he has full confidence that he
can lead an exploring party to the
place.
HIDDEN AWAY IN VALLEY.
Brodworlh says that this deserted
town must have had a population of
more than 100000 people at the time
it was abandoned or depopulated. In
the center of the town is a large
temple with spire which reaches 10
a great height. 1t was the glittering
of the sun upon this spire that first
attracted his attention when a great
distance off in the mountains. When
he came closer he saw the city spread
out in a narrow valley, more than p
900 feet below him, high mountains
surrounding it, except at one point,
where a narrow defile was discerna-
BILE. 1t took long and patient climbing
over The mountains to reach this de-
file and obtain an entrance TO the
city.
The buildings are built of Stone.
Many of them are Two stories high,
and they are fitted up in much the
same manner as the towns which were
built by the Spaniards in the early
days following the conquest by Cor
tez. The temple, however, is not built
in cathedral form, and this leads Brod
worth 10 the conclusion that the city
is relic of civilization long ante
dating the early Spaniards. Surround
ing the temple is a piazza, which is
now grown up with giant trees, which
have forced themselves through the
rough paving blocks.
The only kind of merchandise which
Brodworth saw in the rooms, which
were evidently occupied ais Stones for
markets, were shriveled objects,
which looked like they may have
been grains of corn at one time. A
weevil or some other pest had eaten
the hearts out of the grains, and the
dry atmosphere OF untold ages had al
most converted them i/o dust Mr..
Brodworth admits that he did not at
tempt to make any explorations of the
induce his Mexican servant to accom-
pany him into the houses, and that
he did not have the nerve to enter
alone.
MEXICAN NOTICED GOLD ORE,
Brodworth is not the first man to
have seen this deserted city. 1t was
discovered by Jose Barresa, a Mexican
more than go years ago. About ~
years ago Malyera w. Cresworth, an
English mining an,accidentally came
upon the abandoned town while on a
prospecting expedition In the Sierra
Madres. He returned to Durango and
organized an expedition party to in
vestigate the wonderful place. but he
was never able to find it again. The
Indians of the Sierra Madres have
long referred to such a city in their
traditions.
The story of Bar7esz who was alive
up to a few years ago. is that when a
young man rs years old, he was inn