The Ketchikan miner., 1909-01-02

25 miles north of here. The mill weighs $500 pounds, and can treat about 70 tons day. It was taken by rail to mile 26 by Mir. Skeen, Mr. A. Erickson, Claud Matheson. Duke Har- ris and John Stevenson. In the tn rec years since the discovery of the Falls creek gold ledges by Messrs. Skeen and Lechner. they have tunneled the original ledge l5o feet, and have wide. ned it from Is inches to 1 feet. The ore averages from sl0 to sl5o ton. Mining Journal.
 MESSINA, Dec. 3l.-1n late mes- sage to the Miner the frightful con- ditions in the earthquake district are more clearly set forth. Messina is still burning and the stench from the dead bodies is awful, cns can be heard issuing from deep down in the debris, the victims begging for help, food and water but none can be provided. An order was issued to the soldiers to kill the victims found alive who were pinned under the fallen buildings rather than for them to be burned alive when the fire reached tn em The order is being carried out in all cases. All attempts at counting she dead has ceased and attention is directed solely to fighting the fire and saving those easiest to release. Every ship, junk ana launch in the sea is being used to bring in provis- ions and remove those who wish to leave, yet all these are inadequate. In summing up in the districts near est at hand an estimation is made that 90, GOO perished in Messina, Reggio 40, 900, Montelern 1,s0O, Santa Ewfenin l,500, Bagnara Gaggivi l,00O, Senun- ari l,OOo, Palmi Country 24, 600 and au estimate Of 25O, ,0OO in all. Sixty thous- and refugees have arrived in Rome and they are still coming in by the thousands The misery and want is l indescribable and it is now feared disease will add to the already great calamity unless shelter can be in.- mediately provided.
 ROME, Dec. 3l-Natives from the stricken district are arriving in Rome by the thousands night and day and present one of the most pitiful sights Rome has ever bebeld in modern [
 times. Men bodily strong are..jabh. ring
 naniacs and are led by relatives anG friends into the city. Women with babes in their arms are physical wrecks and insane from grief anG hunger. Children are naked and starving and their cry for bread is ptifuI indeed Relief is being hurried to the devastated districts as fast a: the trains and wagons can haul them but there are so many to be fed and clothed that the supplies does not hal
 meet the demand, and unless more clothing is at once taken to the refu gees many will die from hunger ant exposure.
 CARACAS, De c. 31.-W. I. F, chanan the American Commissioner ar- rived yesterday and will immediately t,ke up the duties ot his office. Con ditions have made wonderful progres under the direction of Vice President c )mez, the people taking confidence in him, and assisting him greatly ir every branch of reform. The poll tica exiles are also returning and assisting
 in every way possible to aid in tn. long needed reforms now being put
 into commission by the Vice Presi- dent. What the future of the countr,
 will be is only problematic as thu President has not surrendered his office and may conclude to return a
 an early date. Still this is not looked
 for by the conservative politicians. 1
 is bought he will remain abroad uuti ! hic form of offioo oypiros