Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-08-13

The two narratives relate to the sam
people is hard to determine, as neither
describes very definitely the location of
the alleged discovery:
"The campaign of General Crook
against the Apaches last year opened
to research tract of land 200 miles
square, which is rich in relics of our
countrys unknown past. 1t contains
chain Of ancient cities in RUNS, and
chain of ancient towns still inhabited
by race which holds itself aloof from
the indian, the Mexican, and the Ameri-
can, prides itself on the descent from
the ancient inhabitants of the country
and maintains religion and govern
ment, both of which are peculiar to
itself We are indebted to Captain W.
Z. Manning, of the regular army, for
the facts in our possession concerning
this newly-discovered race. Captain
Crook, who was with General Crook
during the whole campaign, and was
recommended for promotion by the
latter on account of gallantry in the
field, explored during the intervals Of
fighting. He visited the inhabited
towns, talked with their rulers, and in
formed himself concerning their GUS
toms. The largest settlement is in
New Mexico, about thirty miles south
OF the border line. 1t is type of the
rest. A strong wall surrounds it.
" thin are houses for about 1000
people. The population has dwindled
however, to about 1900. The place
was mentioned by Spanish Jesuit,
who published in 1929 i description of
his wanderings in America. About
1885 another Jesuit wrote minute ac
count of it. This account is true in
nearly every detail to-day. The
language resembles the Chinese. So
an ardent arch@ologist, whe visited the
city a year ago, says. Some of the
minor customs correspond to those of
the Chinese. The women are of the
true Celestial type almond eyes, pro-
tuberant bodies, little feet, etc. They
dress their hair and Themselves in
Chinese fashion Their religion is
barbarously magnificent. Montezuma
is their deity. His coming is looked
for at sunrise each day. Immortality
is part of their creed. The priests have
heavily embroidered robes, which have
been used for unnumbered years. The
ceremonies Of worship are formal and
pompous. The morality of this stran re
people, SO far at least as foreigners are
concerned, is irreproachaLle that they
kept a record of events by means of
tying peculiar knots in long cords. This
if true, seems to establish some kinship
or remote acquaintanceship between
them and the Aztecs. Their govern
ment is a conservative Republic
Power is vested in council of thirteen
caciques. Six of them are selected for
life Old men are generally chosen, in
order that their terms of Office may not
be Unfortunately long. The remaining
seven are elected from time to time
One of them is the executive. Another
is a sort of vice-president. There is
war chief, chief of police. etc. These
seven eaciques are usually young men.
They serve but few months. Sufr
age is universal. 1t is scarcely nec-
essary to supplement these facts with
the statement that these dwellers in
towns are quite far advanced in civil
zation. On this point one fact speaks
volumes. Woman is not a beast
burd eh among them, as she is with al
Indian tribes. She is held in high re
spect. Her tasks are confined to thos
of housekeeping. The written records
which we have mentioned show that
this desolate community has maintained
its traditions unbroken for at least three
and half centuries. Its history, care
fully studied, may prove clew to the
problem Of the aboriginal Americans.
The mound.builders of the North and
the city builders Of the South may be
represented in the town jewellers Of
New Mexico and Arizona Wash.
Star.