Evening journal., 1897-09-13
THE MESA ESCANADA
Evidences of Prehistoric Life on
the Mysterious Cliff
THE RESEARCHES OF Mr.. HODGE.
An Agent csssfhe Smithsonian Institute
Scales the Enchanted Mesa In New
Mexico and Brings Back Infor-
nation of Scientific Value.

Washington Sept. 13.-Mr. f. w.
Hodge Of the bureau Of ethnology.
Smithsonian institute, has just return
ed from an expedition to the Enchanted
mesa of New Mexico, which has excited
the interest of scientists and the daring
Of exploring parties. 1t was brought
into prominence a few months ago by
the expedition Of Professor William Lib
bey of Princeton university, who took
rope throwing mortars, huge kites ball
looms and tons of apparatus to scale
this hitherto inaccessible tabieland. The
purpose of the investigations has been
TO determine whether the summit of the
mesa was at one time inhabited by the
prehistoric Aooma Indians.
Professor Libbey reported no evil
dences Of early occupancy. Mr.. Hodges
explorations have brought good results,
however for after scaling the mesa he
spent some time on the summit, found
a number of fragments of pottery, ar
rows. shell bracelets. stone axes. etc.
establishing conclusively that the top OF
the mesa was at one time inhabited.
Mr.. Hodge was sent by the bureau Of
ethnology to examine a series Of ruins
in western New Mexico and to attend
the snake dance of the Moki Indians.
This done. he was directed to proceed
to the Enchanted mesa and scale it's
precipitous walls in any way he saw fit.
He procured an extension ladder, COM
prising six sections Of six feet each, to-
gether with AN ample supply Of rope.
and proceeded to the mesa on Sept g.
accompanied by Major George II. Pradt
deputy United States surveyor at La
guna, N. NJ. who is familiar with that
section; Mr.. A. c. Vroman Of Pasadena.
Cal, who acted as photographer Of the
expedition: Mr.. II. c. Hayt Of Chicago,
and two Laguna Indians
The Height of the Mesa.
The mesa was determined to be 431
feet from the western plain to the top
Of the highest pinnacle above the cleft
and the talus at the base Of the cleft
224 feet above the plain. The climb was
without any serious difficulty until the
party reached a great sandstone. The
ladders were hauled section by section
to this point b., means of the ropes.
then fitted together and raised against
the cleft Mr.. Hodge ascended to the
top and. climbing over the slope imme-
diately above, succeeded in lashing the
top of the ladder to huge bowlder that
had fallen from above and lodged on
lilt ANlIdIt oOlllG ~ Attl rum AAAt sum
nit. The ladder was then ascended by
the remainder Of the party and the top
easily reached. The ascent consumed
exactly "a hours.
The explorers had not been on the
summit Of the mesa five minutes before
Major Pradt picked up a fragment of
ancient pottery, which indicated clearly
that the mesa had been visited at any
rate n former times and that Profess
or Libbey was mistaken in his con-
clusions.
During the afternoon and the. mex
day Mr. Hodge examined the ground
critically while Major Pradt made a
survey Of the mesa and Mr.. VrOman
secured a number Of photographs. Sew
eral potsherds. two stone axes (broken)
a fragment OF a shell bracelet and a
stone arrow point were the chief evil
dences of former occupancy found OF
the narrow. storm swept crest, but
abundant potsherds, etc, were found IN
the talus swept down from the summit
All vestige OF the ancient trail ascend
ing the talus and continued on the
summit by hand and foot holes in tbs
solid rock have been obliterated, bu
some traces OF the holes remain. Thi!
verifcation of an Indian tradition nOta
Bile for inherent evidence Of accuracy
is peculiarly gratifying to students o
anthrOpology.
Professor Libbey's ladder was discov
cred still lashed in place above the ere
vase.
Mr.. Hodges report will arouse grea
interest among American ethnologist
and archeologists. inasmuch as they ar
said to show that Indian tradition
should not be dismissed as merely
mythical after only casual explora
tiOn.