The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-08-14
FROM The Chicago Tribune.J

FROM the chicago Irtbune-j
The canpaign Of Gen. Crook against
the Apaches, last year, opened to re-
search tract Of land, 300 miles square,
which is rich ii relics of our country
unknown past. 1t contains q chain OF
ancient cities in ruins and eotsrie Of
ancient towns still inhabited by race
which holds itself aloof from Indian and
Mexican and American, prides itself on
its descent from the ancient inhabitants
of the country, and maintains a religion
and a government, both of which are
peculiar to itself. We are indebted 70
Capt. w. C. Manning of the regular
army, for the facts in our possession con-
cerning this newly discovered race.
Capt. Manning who wss with Gen.
Crook during the whole campaign, and
wos recommended for promotion by the
latter on account of gallantry in the
field, explored in the intervals of fight
ing. He visited the inhabited towns,
talked with their rulers, and informed
himself concerning their customs.
The largest settlement is in New Mex
leo, about 80 miles south of the border
line. 1t is type Of the rest. A strong
wall surrounds il. Within are houses for
about 1000 people. The population has
dwindled, however, to about / 800. The
place was mentioned by Spanish Jesuit
who published, in 1929, description Of
his waDderings in America. About 1885
another Jesuit wrote minute account
of it. 1t is true in nearly every detail, TO
day, The language resembles the Chi
nese. So an ardent archsologist, who
visited the city nearly year ago says:
Some of the minor customs correspond to
those of the Chinese. The women are of
the true Celestial type-almond eyes
protubeElnt bodies, little feet, etc They
dress their ha.r and themselves in Chi -
nese fashion. Their religion is barbar-
ousiy magnificent. Montezuma is their
deity. HIS coming is looked for at sun
rise, each day. Immortality Is part of
theiL creed. The pries:s have heavily en- 9
broidered robes. The ceremonies of wor-
ship are formal and pompous. The
morality of this strange people, as far at
least a. foreigners are concerned, is ire
proachable 1t ia probable that they keep
record Of events by means of tyirR
peculiar knots is long cords. This, if
true, seems to establish some kinship or
remote acquaintanceship between them
and the Aztecs. Their government il a
conservative republic. Power il inv. :
ed in q council of thirteen caciques. Six
of them are selected for life. Old men are
mostly chosen, in order tina. their terms
of office may not be inordinately long.
The remaining seven are elected from
time to time. One of them is executive.
Another 8 sort of vice President. There
is war chief, Of police, etc. These sew
en- caciques are usually young men.
| They serve but few months. Suffrage
ia universal. 1t Is scarcely necessary to
/ supplement these facts with the state.
rnent thar these dwellers in towns are
quite far advanced in civilization. On
this point, one fact speaks volumes. Wo
man is not beast Of burden among
them, as she is in all Indian tribes. She
is held in high respect. Her tasks are
confined TO housekeeping.
/ The written records which We have
mentioned show that this isolated com
munity has maintained its traditions un-
broken for at least three and half CEN
turies. Its history carefully studied
may prove clue TO the aboriginal
Americans. The mound builders of the
North and the city builders of the South
may be represented in the town-dwellerS
of New Mexico and Arizona.