Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1910 — DISCOVERED BY ACCIDENT. [ARTICLE]

DISCOVERED BY ACCIDENT.

Some great scientific discoveries have been made by accident. The recent arrival of an expedition in charge of a professor of Yale University at Cuzco, the anejent capital of the Incas, brings to mind the interesting ruins found in that vicinity. Dr. Felix Oswald, in “Summerland Sketches,” gives in account of a famous discovery made in Mexico in 1828. Don Pancho Yegros, a Yucatan planter, and his guest, Dr. Lewis Mitchel, a Scotch surgeon, returning from a hunting expeditibn, were seeking shelter from a threatening storm. They chanced j to come across an Indian guided them to an old Indian temple in the forest. They lighted a fire, and having noticed some curious sculptures, the gentlemen proeeedcdte-iaßpeetthe inter-lon-of the building. The masonry was covered with dust and cobwebs, but an application of wet rags brought to light rows of bas-relief. After daybreak, Dr. Mitchel rummaged- in a pile of debris and unearthed the torso of a little image, which tie pocketed with an enthusiasm that puzzled the planter as well as the Indian. On leaving Don Yegros’ house, the doctor requested his host to question ;he Indians thereabouts in regard to ruins, and then rode away, having promised to return the coming year. He was hardly out of sight when Don Yegros remarked to his Indian jervant: “Isn’t it strange that we have lived lere for a lifetime and not suspected he existence of such a curiosity? Why, .hat caballero tells me some’of his countrymen would buy those stones or their weight in gold.” “He gave me half a dollar,” said the Indian, grinning. “He ought to like lia countrymen to the north a bit. In he chaparral there is a square league ust covered with empty old buildngs.” The don turned on the. man. “Are you mad? A league of ruins! You do not mean buildings like those we slept in last night?” v “No, senor, very different. The houses are as high as yours, and forty times as long. One of them has more rooms than the tiles on your roof, and tong galleries with figures and heads.” “Why couldn't you have told us that a few moments sooner?” exclaimed Doti Yegros. “Didn’t you see how delighted the caballero was with one little statue?” “He liked it, didn't he?” returned the Indian. “I- found a much better one once and carried it to the priest, and he said I W’as a miserable idiot.” "So you are!” cried the don. “Get on a horse and ride after the caballero, and bring him back. Why, you came near missing the greatest opportunity you ever had of being of use in the world.” Thus were discovered the great ruins of Uxmal, which rival those of Thebes and Persepolis in beauty and grandeur.