Mr. Hodge ascended the Butte by means of an extension ladder, and once on top proceeded to investigate in a much more thorough and leisurely manner than Professor Libbey had attempted to do.

After a long and careful search, which convinced him that people had once dwelt on this mound, Mr. Hodge began to dig at various points where he thought he had a chance of making a find.

His perseverance was soon rewarded. After a few hours' labor he found two stone axes, a broken fragment of a shell bracelet, a stone arrow-point, and several fragments of pottery.

This proves conclusively that there have been dwellers on the Mesa-top, and it seems a pity that after all his trouble the Professor was not rewarded by some such find.

Mr. Hodge says that Professor Libbey could not have attempted to dig, but must have expected to find the traces he was in search of lying exposed on the surface.

By Mr. Hodge's measurement, the Mesa is 431 feet at its highest point, and 224 feet at its lowest.

He thinks there is not a shadow of doubt that it was once occupied by Indians, and suggests that an expedition be sent out prepared to encamp on the Mesa, and examine it much more thoroughly than he was able to do.

The committee appointed to look into the possibility of establishing a government factory for the manufacture of armor-plate has reported that it will cost about three million dollars.

The committee was also instructed to look about for a desirable site on which to build the works. This raised the hopes of the towns within the iron districts. Delegates from several States have appeared before the board to extol the desirability of their various townships. As yet, however, it is not decided whether the Government will build the works at all, and so the matter of place has not been taken into serious consideration.

It was supposed that the Bethlehem Iron Works and perhaps the Carnegie works might make some offer to the Government by which the works could be under the control of the Government, or the armor could be made at the price the Government offers ($300 per ton). No offer has as yet been made.

A suggestion has, however, come from a man who thoroughly understands the manufacture of armor-plate.

He says that by the use of a new process of making steel the plate can be turned out at a much less cost, and with half the waste that there is in the present method of making it. The plant to make this new-process steel can be built for half the money required for the old-style plant, and moreover the armor-plate can be turned out in a much shorter time.

By the use of this process he asserts that the finest armor-plate can be made at a cost of $150 per ton, and at that price there would be a margin of $50 profit.

The armor factory board has written to him, telling him that they will be ready to consider any proposals from him in a few days, and will inquire into his process.

The manufacturer says that if the Government does not take kindly to his plan, he will start his own factory, and make armor-plate at $150 per ton.

There is little fear that the article which this Mr. Carpenter offers is of an inferior character, for all armor-plate is carefully tested before it is accepted.

The people who have gone to the Klondike gold hunting have found out for themselves the truth of the saying that "all is not gold that glitters."

Day after day news reaches us of the trials and struggles, the hunger and hardships, of those who have hurried off in this mad rush after wealth.

Only a day or two ago a carrier-pigeon reached its home in Portland, Oregon, bearing a message from a party of young men who had set out from that city to seek their fortunes.

Wishing to be able to tell their friends of their safe arrival, the young men took several carrier-pigeons with them. This bird is the first that has arrived. The message it brought was by no means a cheerful one.

When the slip of paper tied to its leg was unwound it was found to contain these words: "We are all well and in good spirits, but tell every one you know not to come up here this winter."

It was written on the summit of Chilkoot Pass, and dated August 25th. The pigeon had flown a distance of 1,071 miles to bear this message, and was completely worn out when it reached its home, refusing food, and declining to enter the dovecote for some hours.

The scarcity of food is already being felt. Some of the old miners are frightened, and are coming out of the district before it is shut in with snow.

Hundreds of men are, however, pouring in from all directions, and shameful stories are reaching us of the wild and lawless deeds that are being done.

A returning messenger brought word that a party of men who had for some reason been separated from their comrades blockaded a mountain pass, and having barred it up with trees and rocks, guarded it with firearms, refusing to allow any one to pass until their friends came up with them.

So lawless did they become that they threatened to shoot the first man who ventured to approach the barrier.

Party after party arrived at the pass, until finally there was a crowd of two thousand people waiting in the narrow gorge to be allowed to pass the barrier.

This state of affairs continued for several days, until a party of men, more resolute than the rest, pushed their way to the front, made a rush for the barrier, and overcame the resistance.

The waiting crowds promptly pushed aside the barricade, and began to file through the narrow pass; but so eager was each man to be first into the land of gold that the travellers pushed each other aside, knocked their fellows down, and trampled them under foot till the pass looked like a battlefield.

It is strange how men lose all sense of humanity when they are thirsting for gold. The stories of jealousy, hatred, robbery, and murder which have followed the rush for riches into the Klondike are a repetition of the lawless doings of '49 in California.

The question of providing food for these eager hordes has been considered by the President and his Cabinet during the past week.

It has been decided to send two detachments of troops to Alaska, to preserve order and carry supplies to those who are in need of them.

As it will be necessary to send the supplies before Congress can meet and make an appropriation for it, General Alger, the Secretary of War, has agreed to purchase the provisions at his own expense, and trust to Congress to pay him back.

A report is current in London that a great honor has been conferred on Sir Julian Pauncefote, the English Ambassador at Washington.

The term for which he was appointed ends next year, in 1898, but it is said that in consideration of the good service he has done, Lord Salisbury has obtained permission of the Queen to keep Sir Julian in office for another year.

The rumor that a new arbitration treaty is to be prepared is again being circulated.

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The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 47, September 30, 1897

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