Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-14

Gypsy race, and by their sagacity, ad-
dress and physical proves were able for
nearly 800 years to exercise royal supremacy.
The Blythe line was extinct in Scotland, and no
one could be found to dispute the royal line re-
verting to one or the other OF the two Faa priu-
cesses Helen the younger, urged her claims
| on the ground of the well known and often eE-
pressed wish of the dead king, that she should
eventually succeed him. Esther. the elder,
claimed the succession on the grounds OF senior
lty. For months the liveliest imaginable poltl-
cal canvass was waged throughout the Gypsy
cret and rapid journeys of hundre is OF miles to
further their reSpec i've interests. At last the
contest waged bitter that these sisters OF roy
al blood came to blows, the first and last breach
of the peace ever accredited to Gipsies
In Yetholm. They were both women OF
powerful build, over six feet IN height,
and the encounter has been de icrl bed to ne by
an eye witness now living here as OF the most
savage and ferocious character. Esther was
victorious, and Helen, or black bearded Nell,
as she is called By the villagers, got herself
weel ickit.'' This ARRAY apparently decided
the contest; for when Testing day, or Shrove
Tuesday, on which the famo Bowmont games
are sti notably celebrated. Princess Helen and
her followers offered no objection TO Princess
Esther election and coronation.
The browning OF Queen Esther1whose full
Blythe and Rutherford addenda coming from
marriages with worthless men OF her race-was
an affair OF great note at Yetholm. Her majesty
was attended by a royal brother, several princes
and princesses of the blood, Prince Henry,
her son, now q worthless yagabond, many
grandchlldren and a great reLlnue OF over
800 Gypsies, with as many toWnspeople and
gentry of the surrounding country. The caval-
cade prodeeded to the Yetholm Cross. Jolly
old blacksmith named George Gladstone, who
had performed ike office for Charles Blythe.
and thus assumed the title OF archbishop OF
Yetholm,' wrought resplendent coronet OF
tin, sustaining a tremendous Scotch thistle.
In the presence of the great mu .titude he made
proclamation OF his right to exercise the high
Office, and having in the most solemn fashion set
the emblem of royalty upon her head, proclaimed
the swarth heroine her royal majesty, Esther
Faa Blythe Rutherford, sovereign and
QUEEN OF ALL THE GIPsIEs
in the kingdom of Scotland-challenge who
dareu' Addresses of congratulation were read
from loyal subjects in the different shires, from
villages, and from Yetholm townsfolk, after
which q leYee was held at the royal pal
ace, a thaUched cottage with hard
clay floor, and the night was passed in all m ln-
OF rustic revelries. At her death in July,
1855, Gypsy royalty in Scotland came 10 an end.
No one ever aspired to the enjoyment OF her
wInm am quite fayorite, tells me that she
was so ''weel aud iairly Ticket, that she com
plctely lost all her ambition Tor royal life.
Queen Esther died at Kelso. Her cortege from
kelso TO Kirk Yetholm, where she was buried
beside hundreds of her race. was memorable
one. Thousands of people came to Yethoim.
Upon the coffin lay the royal red cloak OF the
queen. and an enormous white wreath OF roses,
sent by Lady John scott of Spottiswood, sur
the body of the queen. The Rev. Mr.. David
son, for twenty nine years minister of the par
ish church here. tells me he never witnessed
a more remarkable scene than this burial. The
services held a. Kelso; but such vast
crowds massed about the grave at Hetholm that
though Mr.. Davidson made effort to reach /, to
say few words over the body, the grief of the
Gipsies and he density of the crowd prevented
He also tells me other things gained from his
ministry among these strange people which may
interest many who believe Gipsies are no bet
ter than wolves. Among these were the state
ments that a no more honorable folk in all their
business dealings ever rived in Scotland. They
never would pay their rent at a ixed time, but
could be absolutely depended upon. For over
seventy-fve years no Yetholm Gypsy has been
accused OF crime. Their home and family rela-
tions have always been singularly free from I'M
faithfulness and unhappiness. An in short,
he believes that in all things upon which esti-
mates of character may be based they have ever
excelled the nOn-gipsy townspeople about them.
Notwithstanding this, GIpsydom has so de-
clined here that it is but wrath of its former
self. When here year since found but four-
teen families comprising more than eighty
souls. At that time predicted that should yet
live to wander with the tawny Yethom crew in
my own beloved land. Three of those families
are already with the roadside pilgrims in Amer
lea. Those remaining are held to the spot by
the old. old folk, who beg 20 be allowed the last
privilege OF laying their bones alongside of those
of their kin in the little churchvard beside the
manse. When that is done, Gipsydom at Yet
holm will be no more. 1t will have been trans
planted to that grand and wondrous land across
the seattle Gipsy's haven and heaven of OPP
portunity and delight,
EDGAR L. WAKEMAE.