Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-03-31
Man-Eating Giants OF Seri


''There are 174 giant caunibes, men and
women, living on Ser! Island, in the Gulf OF
California, and not sixty miles from the
mainland OF Mexico." said George G.. Nc
Namara at the Palace Hotel last night.
'Whst / say might seem ridiculous, bat 1t
Ia neverless fact, for have seen some of
them during my travels in Mexico. Who
there ancestors were or how long they have
occupied the island is not known, but they
are now becoming extinct.
II saw three women and one man and
their appearance and manner gave me the
impression that they are brutes by nature
aud brutes in heart and soul. It was just by
chance that saw them, ss few OF them ven
ture awsv from the island except to sell the
mats and sbawls which they make from the
skins sad feathers of the albatross. They
are cunning thieves. but otherwise their
minds are dull-tn fact they seem stupe-
fed. They have vacant stare in their eyes,
and, when not serious, az iGiotic smile
spreads over their facee.
The island of 6er Is about twenty miles
long and at places ten miles vide, and was
told no Mexican or white man ever ventures
near or attempts to land on It, ss they claim
the island is their domain and Shoot their 10
truders with with poisoned arrows or cap
tute and eat them They exist on fish and
goat meat which are plentiful. Low houses,
bui!s OF shrubbery, ere their abode. Some
live In 'dugoute.' or CAVES Cut into banks
Tney roam nboIs the island and lead The
LATEST life OF any any people hail. haze ever
heard of. No one Can really tell what their
daily routine OF living is, but it Ia fact that
rih ha 10 iy,io coil no
msny years before they will becomt exiiDcf.
'Their mode of burial is not known, but
it wac estimated that where there are now
hanofol there were several thousand not
ten years sgo and II they bury the dead,
and do not burn the be dies ss csnuibels do,
tho bones of their enormous frames will COW
er large ares OF the leland.
1.-THE man photographed is over feet
! In height. His face was g study when he
saw the lens pointed at him, aud he could
not understand what was being done. He,
es are all his race, was snpersitcus, but we
| overcame that obstacle by giving him q
present of an old pair of trousers. which he
Immediately tied around his neck. The gen.
tlemsn standing next 10 him Ia about six
feet tall, and he had to hold the Indians
hand. An old rag enciscled the upper por-
tion of the Indians limbs, and it was tied
around the waist. The blanket ia made OF
albatross skin and feathers. The bow and
arrows which ne holds are the only weapon
| they know of or use. His legs from the
knees down are not covered, The hat he
wears is of straw, and he, as he stands there
is the typical Seri Indian.
| 1.-The women wear patched dresses made
of cloth which they receive for albstroBs
! mats and shawl; they are wrinkled and old,
| very few girls being among the tribe. The
| bowls on their heads contain broken vss
sels made Of clay.
:They are wonderful people," contin-
oed Mr.. Mcnamara, land no doubt their
pact history. If revealed, will bring to light
the facts that relate TO the magnificent reign
of the Montezumss. or even far beyond the
time of Cortez San Francisco Examiner.