A representative of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. F.W. Hodge, has just returned from an expedition to the Enchanted Mesa, and his account is utterly at variance with that of the Professor.
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.