The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-14

| tween the nOmadS and the successive lords
of the manor. These were either for
with some of the more favored ones, "as
long as grass grows and water runs" Their
! increase here undoubtedly reached its eli
max at about the middle of the present
oentary. Over 400 Gipsies then had their
homes in Kirk Yetholm, and at the death
mustered from Yetholm and its immediate
neighborhood 500 Gipsies and 800 asses
as an escort for his remains from Cold
stream to the parish burying- ground
at Yetholm. This Faa was the acknowl-
edged king Of the Scottish GiPsies. Short.
Charles Blythe, King Williams immediate
successor, remarkable contest took place
between the late Faa's two daughters,
Princess Esther and Princess Helen-the
latter hale old woman, still living here
alone in her cottage at the side of Tinker's
Green, Yetholm.
These Faas were the pick of the Scottish
Gypsy race, and by their sagacity. address
and physical prowess 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 reverting to one or the other of the two
Faa princesses. Helen, the youngest, urged
her claim on the ground of the we'll known
and often expressed wish of the dead king
that she should eventually succeed him.
Lstnef' tne eAoer, cAalmeo tue sue
For months the liveliest imaginable
political canvass was waged through
out of the Gypsy camps of Scotland; the sis
ters often taking secret and rapid journeys
of hundreds of miles to further their re-
waged SO bitter that these sisters of royal
blood came to blows, the first and last
breach of the peace ever accredited to Clip
sizes in Yetholm. They were both women
of powerful build, over six feet in height,
and the encounter has been described to
the most savage and ferocious character.
Esther was victorious, and Helen, or black
bearded Nell, as she is called by the vii
layers, "got herself weel lickit.'' This
ARRAY apparently decided the contest; for
when testing day." or Shrove Tuesday,
still notably celebrated, Princess Helen
and her followers offered no objection to
Princess Esther's election and coronation.
The browning of Queen Esther-whose
full name was Estoer Fea Blythe Ruther-
ford, the Blythe and Rutherford addenda
of her race--was an affair of great note at
Yetholm. Her majesty was attended by
royal brother, several princes and princesses
of the blood, Prince Henry. her son,
now worthless vagabond. manv grand
children and great retinue of over 300
L
gentry Of the surrounding country. The
| cavalcade proceeded to the Yetholm Cross,
A jolly old blacksmith named George
Gladstone. who had performed like office
for Charles Blythe, and thus assumed the
title of Archbishop of Yetholm," wrought
a Respondent coronet of tin. sustaining
tremendous Scotch thistle. In presence of
the great multitude he made proclamation
of his right to exercise the high Office, and.
having in the most solemn fashion set the
lcp,S >11rr~ %
claimed the swartS heroine 1' .Her o ROYAL p
Majesty, Esther Faa Blythe Rutherford,
Sovereign and Queen of all the Gipsies in
the Kingdom OF Scotland-Challenge who
dare!' Addresses of congratulation were
read from loyal subjects in the different
other near cities and villages, and
from Yetholm townsfolk; after which
a levee was held at the 'royal pal
ace." thatched cottage with hard
clay floor, and the night was passed in all
manner er. Of rustic revelries:. At her death IN
to an end. No one ever aspired to the en-
joyment of her Gypsy honors; and even old
Princess Helen, with whom I am quite
favorite. tells me that she was so "weel and
fairly lickit.' that she completely lost all
her ambition for royal life. Queen Esther
died at Kelso. Her corteee from Kelso to
Kirk Yetholm, where she was buried beside
hundreds of her race, was memorable one.
Thousands of people came to Yetholm.
Upon the coffin lay the royal red cloak of
the queen, and an enormous white wreath
Of ! roses sent by Lady John Scott. Of Spot
queen. The Rev. Mr.. Davidson, for
twenty-nine years minister of the parish
church here, tells me he never Witnessed u
more remarkable scene than at this burial.
The services were held at Kelso; but such
vast crowds massed about the grave at
Yetholm that though Mr.. Davidson made
effort to reach it to say few words over
the body, the grief of the Gipsies and the
density of the crowd prevented. He also
tells me other things gained from his min
istry among these strange people which
may interest many who believe Gipsies no
better than wolves. Among these, were the
statements that no more honorable folk
in all their business dealings ever lived in
Scotland. They never would pay their rent
Their word in all matters could be absolute
ly depended upon. For over seventy-five
years no Yetholm Gypsy has ever been ac-
cused OF crime. Their home and family re-
lations have always been singularly free
from unfaithfulness and unhappiness. And.
which estimate of character may be based
they have ever excelled the nom Gypsy
townspeople about them.
Notwithstanding this, Gipsydom has so
declined here that it is but a wrath of its
former self. When here a year since
found but fourteen families comprising no
more than eighty souls. At that time pre-
dicted that l should yet live to wander with
the tawny Yetholm crew in my own loved
land. Three of those families are already
with the roadside pilgrims in America.
Those remaining are held to the spot by
the old, old folk who beg to be allowed
| the last privilege of laying their bones
alongside Of those of their kin in the little
churchyard behind the manse. When
| this is done, Gipsydom at Yetholm will be
no more. 1t will all have been transplanted
to that grand and wondrous land across
the sea, the Gipsy's haven and heaven of
opportunity and delight.
| EDGAR l.. WAKKMAN,
A few baby carriages still left ut The Bee Hive
| at greatly reduced prices.
Go to The Bee Hive for mems fall and winter
| underwear.
| Our great reduction sale of buggies and har-
ness still continues and would advise all In need
Of anything in the vehicle line to give us . call