Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-03-21
WHITE INDIANS.

A writer in the Mariposa Chs,oaich
furnishes the following description O.. the
village and surrounding country Inhabited
by the tribe of white Indians beyond the
Sierra Nevadas, about which SO much has
been formerly said by other writers
This village is pleasantly and roman
tically situated in beautiful aud rich
valley, guarded on either side by lofty
and precipitous bluffs, which from the ev.
ergreens growing upon their borders in
varlagated colors, present singularly
picturesque appearance. The mountains
and table land adjacent are thickly stud
ded with magnificent and lofty pines, ce
dars and oaks while in the valley, dress
ed IN her richest and rarerst colors. Flora
relgns supreme. We were greatly sur
prlsed upon entering the village to OBJ
serve the taste and utility displayed in
Its construction. The streets were yery
regularly laid out in circular form. sha
ded by trees resembling in appearance the
magnolia The houses are partly Grecian
in style, and of very good workmanship.
That occupied by the Chief, or King.
would reflect honor upon more enlight-
ened people. 1t is gigantic structure,
built IN the form of a pyramid, and sur
rounded by succession of corridors ris-
ing one above the other. Upon the rail
ing of each corridor-which is wide and
grooved for the admission of earth-are
cultivated the most beautiful and fragrant
flowers, so arranged that at a short dis,
tance the palace resem bles an immense bo-
quet The people seem to have great re-
spect for their chief, who is venerable
man Of about sixty We were received
and entertained by him during our stay
IN the village, with the warmest and most
profuse hospitality. A part of his suite
was delegated to accompany us in our in
spectIon OF the village and surrounding
scenery. In truth, so much attention was
lavished upon us. that at times | was al
most induced to believe that surveil-
lance was placed upon our movements
" We were told that the valley extended
nearly to the desert but that view of
its entrance was obscured by hills of sand
OF the origin of this people could learn
but little reliable. They have tradition,
however, which may shed some light upon
the subject. It is that their fathers came
from across the great waters; they were
visiting. as was their custom annually. q
neighboring nation, when they were driven
by gale from the land The gale con-
tinued with terrible force for a number of
days, driving them rapidly to the east
After enduring fear, hunger and thirst,
until they were driven to despair, they
came in sight of land. This land proved
to be inhabited by savages, by whom they
were taken into the interior and held as
slaves. Soon after, plague appeared
among the Indians, which made fearful
ravages. The Indians were made to be-
lieve that it was Judgment upon them
for enslavipg the white men. and they
were accordingly liberated. Their fathers
then established themselves in the valley
which they now occupy. They were evi-
IDENTIFY of Asiatic origin in stature they
very much resemble the Hungarans, and
speak language very similar | have
thought it possible that they have sprung
from the nation mentioned by Kossuth as
inhabitiDg the interior of ASIA