AN ORIGINAL AID TO DISCOVERY.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 9786, 25 September 1897, Page 5 (Supplement)

AN ORIGINAL AID TO DISCOVERY.

Professor William Libby, jun., of Princeton University, is, says the Scientific American, about to undertake an unique exploring expedition, with a party of six. They expect to leave New York this month for Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the vicinity of this place rises from the alkali plains to a heigh b of more than 700 feet a "mesa" or tableland of sandstone. The top of this has never been explored by white men, because the almost pe r pendicular walls make its summit inaccessible even to the most experienced mountain climbers. To students of archaeology and anthropology this tableland possesses great interest, because of the belief that it was once the home of a race of cliff dwellers. Articles of pottery have fallen from the top of the "mesa," so this belief seems reasonable. Professor Libby and his party intend to explore the tableland, if it is a possible thing. They will remain in camp at its base until they are either successful or are convinced that their endeavour? are useless. They intend to avail themselves of several devices to reach the top. The first idea of Professor Libby was to take a mortar with the expedition, and shoot a line over the "mesa" at its narrowest point, where it is only a few yards wide, the method being very similar to that adopted by the life-saving service. Recently Professor Libby became impressed with the utility of Mr Eddy's kites, and the professo 1 * has visited Mr Eddy relative to the matter. Professor Libby will have material for a dozen of Mr Eddy's kites prepared. They will be con structed for use in the extremely light winds prevalent in the vicinity of the lone tableland. He will ship the mortar, cables, and other equipments for the expedition. If the cable can be successfully hauled over the "mesa's" summit the party will rig a boatswain's chair on the cable, and thus be able to ascend to the top of the tableland.