Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-15
Excavation Shows Form Of Htuis Like That
Described in Bible,
lGHT ON EARLY RACES OF HOLY LAND
HOrites and Amoritss Better Known Since
Land ia Examined.
CAIRO IS EXPERIENCING LAND BOOM
Prices of Real Estate In Egyptian
city Sometimes 60 Make west
ern Real Estate Agents
Envious.

CAIRO. July A-(special Cablegram TO
The Bee)-Reports received here OF the
work OF the Palestine Exploration Fund
show that Mr. r. A. Stewart Macalister'
director OF excavations, is accomplishing
wonders with the limited means at his
command Perhaps the most remarkable
discoveries have 20 do with Rebeccas
wooinE and samsons death.
The site OF the ancient and buried city
OF Gezer. where most Of the researches
have been made was FIRST identified only
thirty-six years back, but its excavation
is the most recent enterprise, begun in
1900.
The excavations have added 1900 years
TO the early history Of Gezer aatlng II
back to 1000 p. c., when dminutive
eaNe-dweling race lived there. land
mark IN it's biblical history is that the
city was given by the king Of Egypt to
his daughter when she married Solomon.
II stood on the verge Of the territory in
habited by that mysterious race. the Phil
. istInes and when David routed them he
went in pursuit as far as Gezer.
Rebecca who went 10 draw water from
a we'll was picked out from other maidens
by the servant Of Abraham, who was in
quest OF wife for his masters son. The
unearthing OF houses at Gezer helps ex-
merits
Rebecca by reconstrbcting the home OF
r the maiden and her interesting brother
Laban
Samson story strengthened
The death OF Samson has been ranked
as myth by critics who could not accept
the possibility Of his supposed achievement
In pulling down the pillars and killing so
rrany PhilIstines. But In a stratum at
Gexer some 300 years older than the time
OF Samson, the excavators have found
form Of building which answers TO re-
marl<able extent the conditions Of the
story. II is q temple with a portion sup
ported by four wooden pillars.
The discoveries az Gezer also enable OK
perts 10 form a fair conception of the
Horites, hitherto unknown race OF cave
dweiers referred 10 in Genesis and Deute-
Yonomy The Amorites, who arc mentioned
Tor their "iniquites'' In Genes's, now stand
IN clearer light, for their meny f2rnls ,,ef
idoiatry snd moral abomlnstions are better
understood by the digging out OF the High
Place OF Gezer. which is the largest early
Falestnian sanctuary or place Of worship
yet unearthed
Land Boom In Egypt.
The land boom" here in Cairo shows no
sign Of diminution AZ the outset the new
houses required by newcomers from oil over
Egypt Levantines as well as Mussulmans,
were built 10 order. the builders having
first satisfied themselves as TO the requisite
funds being duly forthcoming. However,
whnt may be speculative building only COM
menced about two or three years ago, when
foreigners began TO pour In from all over
the world New quarters OF the town
sprang up In the direction OF the Abassieh
and Of Gesreh. The price OF land rose by
leaps and bounds and landowners, builders,
contractors. uphosterers and architects
aulassed large fortunes without incIrring
any risk of loss. The process of house
building continued with such unchecked
rapidIty that the day seemed near at hold
when no building ground could be found
within the existing confines of the city. II
was then that the era Of speculative build
ing commenced in earnest
Prices Are Fabulous.
Cairo proper Is practically confined be-
tween the Nile the west and the Mo
haitian range of hills on the east The site
lying between these two boundaries is al
ready covered by dwellings. The principal
spaces left untouched for building purposes
we're roughly the desert land lying along
the plain, across which the old railway
ran from Cairo 10 suez, in the days OF the
overland mail. and the partially cultivated
land about Gireh on the western banks OF
the Nile.
applied to the sudden rise of prices given
Tor huildirg land in Cairo. Four years
ago the KRsT el Ali Palace, adjacent 70 the
British agency. and running down to the
banks OF the Nile. was sold for 100000
Happily for the owners. the sale could not
he carried into effect. owing to the right Of
pre-emption being exercised by a neighbor
Whhin the last few weeks Il has beer
iually sold for SS,S0oooo.
small property which was bought som,
years ago for $4,000 was sold toward tn,
end OF last year for $4,000 Within IN,
course OF a few months 81 was resoId b,
the purchaser for $4,000. again sold foi
Nle0tc and, finally, parted with for Sl6O 900
Up TO a few years ago s. for a squar,
metre was considered fair price for lane
Ia the most fashionable quarters OF Cairo
only few weeks ago some land In a com
paratively unfashionable situation wa
bought for SlOo per square metre and with
in a day or two the owners were onere,
siA
Sugar Company Wrecked.
1hls is the brighter side Of the picture
As usual there is a ny I'm the ointment
the disaster 10 the sugar planting industr,
Of Egypt. Eventually this may be expects
TO have a depressing effect upon even
land boom such as Egypts capital ha
witnessed But IN a general way up TO tn
present time Il may be fairly stated tina
nothing % the sort has occurred How
ever, coming down TO details. the con
clusion OF the sucreries eompany's cas-,
when the Cairo courts approved the recon
struetion OF the company. may be said I
have determined a tragic episode in Egyr
tlan industry, When the Cairo director.
Including the Hon. A. Davey, son OF Lor
Justice Davey, were acquitted month az
In the action brought against them. publ
opinion foresaw the favorable issue OF N
bankruptcy proceedings. The eject wa
seen in q shrinkage Of some 10000 sine
= the beginning Of the year The company
debts are partly liquidated by the sale Z
its railways 20 the state system. stron