Evening journal., 1897-03-01
AMERICAS POMPElI.
INTERESTING DISCOVERIES MADE by
AN ALASKAN TRAVELLER.

BE "A Prehistoric City Laid Bare-some
Beautiful Specimens of Pottery.
One Of the most interesting theories |
in regard to the ancient colonization Of
America is that relating to its Asiatic |
origin. These theories were supported |
by tribal traditions, chiefly among .he
highly civilized races Of Mexico as they |
were discovered by the Spaniards, flom
an analysis of which it would appear
that the first settlements of this conti-
nent were Asiatic-for the time of
high degree Of cultivation, in time over
run and subjugated by more warlil1e and
powerful invaders, who, like themselves
came from the north.
Archaeological discoveries in New
Mexico, Arizona and California have
tended TO confirm these obscure legends,
and now a correspondent of The Globe
Democrat Of st. Louis presents the lat
est claims in the evidence of Professor
Alfred Eldrige Of Montreal as to recent
discoveries made by him in Alaska.
Professor Eldrige's statements TO the
correspondent were, in brief, as follows:
AT the mouth of the Kuwalik river,
on the shore of Kotzebue sound, l en-
countered a small settlement of Indians,
who were much surprised at my desire
to proceed up the stream.
Tho chief did all in his power to
persuade me to abandon my project, ex
planning unbearable perils galore which
/ would be certain to encounter The
savages seemed to think the district
cursed by the Great Spirit, and nothing
could tempt them TO set foot on it..
i did not feel uneasy, however, I'M
til arrived at the moutk of the Ku-
walk. As l entered the mouth of this
frozen river it seemed as though / could
read, Abandon hope, all ye who enter
here, written across its horizon, and
the vision Of possible Dantean Infer
no. beyond amazed me.
"On the border Of a little lake where
l stopped my attention was drawn to a
spot half way up steep peak, which
had evidently suffered some recent dis
turbance On arriving at the situation
I saw that a great body Of earth had
broken away and rolled down the noun
tain.
1.-THE first thing to attract me was
the discovery Of a small piece of broken
earthenware, light brown in color, with
an artisticaliy worked trimming of
Greek design worked in black pigment
It was Just such a piece as those | had
found in New Mexico some years be-
fore, and any cne can imagine my
amazement at its discovery in that
quarter.
Il turned quickly to scan the sides Of
the earth where tho avalanche had torn
it apart. and in the midst Of theorevice,
not 800 yards away from where I stood,
saw the protrusion of wall of dull
gray masonry. crumbling ard broken
but showing beyond all doubt, even al
that distance. that the builder was hu
man. On making further investigation
l found evidences Ct numerous othe
walls at distance Of 80 or more fee
apart, and some CT them revealed cCr
ners Of masonry.
1T soon became evident 70 ne that
had discovered an American Pompei
through the work of the avalanche. Tn,
remains of houses / saw were undoubt
edly those Of prehistoric city, covered
with earth and debris, which had hid
den it through some volcanic action
possibly during, but most likely Ions
after its desertion, centuries ON centu
ries ago.
"All Of the masonry was Of beautifu
symmetry, constructed Of hewn sand
, stone blocks Of an approximately evei
size, laid in strong mortar beds anC
with the joints broken. There wer
many pieces Of broken pottery and othe
articles Of domestic use lying around tn
ruins.
But 1 sought higher game, and afte
preparing q wooden handle TO a cope
spade which / picked up on the seem
l went to digging most industricusly
Almost Immediately my antiquate'
: spade unearthed a few more fragment
Of pottery, which seemed an ominou
sign. As / reached about six feet be
meath the surface pots, vases, cups
= plates, jugs, pipes and numerous article
u Of doubtful use and too heavy TO brin
away with me were uncovered with al
mcst every thrust Of the spade. The las
articles rly spade revealed were nike
, sizes CT arrows, spears of odd design
- scrap ~. hatchets and drills.
Il Cug into a square room which ha
y no wi, dows in the walls. Here foun
!, some Of the finest specimens Of potter
= l have ever seen. They We're beautiful
; ly decorated and finished in a wa
!, that is a lest art 10 modern potter:
There were many exquisitoly shaped jar:
2, about 3 feet tall and as perfectly prC
served rs the china just delivered froI
the hands Of our nineteenth centur
y potters-if anything, more artisticall
proportioned.
= 1t does not require r.uch thought c
l. study TO see an undeniablo connectio
between the evidence of prehistoric IL
habitation in Spanish-Amcrica an
those which have uncarthed in nortl
is crn Alaska a fact which opens az oi
y titely new and extensive leld for archa
r illogical study.
II Always Running.
70 Your wife has such q LIQUID voice