Evening star., 1896-01-18

knowledge concerning this island habita-
ton, never before visited by ethnologists.
Prof. McGee, 1t will be remembered, left
Washir gton early in November, accompa-
MED by three assistants, bound for the
west coast of Mexico. Here he made sew
eral valuable surveys, crossing later to the
island. His trip was looked upon as an ex-
ceedingly perilo US one at the time of his
departure, because of the murder by the
Seris, in March. 1894, Of Robinson and Lo-
gan, who visited Tiburon Island on behalf
of a San Francisco paper. as well as on ac-
count of the general cannibalistic reputa-
ton of these savages. OF all the Indians
of this continent, or nearby the Seris are
the least known to ethnologists. Prof. Nc
Gee finds fresh evidence that they are like
wise the most primitive of all tribes to the
south. They were first seen by white men
in 1910, when Coronado, the great Spanish
pioneer, discovered the interior of Mexico,
and since then there have doubtless been
no improvements in their modes of life.
Their villages are scattered along the
Mexican coast. adjacent to Tiburon Island,
but the greater part of their population
occupies the island proper. Prof. MCGEE
last year explored portions of this MAIN
land settlement and studied the people. In
interview with Star writer, the pro-
feSsor gave the following account of his
adventures:
1--WE outfitted in Tucson, Ariz., November
o. taking with us four horse wagon, two
saddle horses and five men, all told Pro-
ceeding with rapidity into Mexico. crossing
the frontier at Sasabe, we journeyed on to
Caborca, where we made surveys of seven
intrenched mountains. Thence we went
east to San Raphael d Alamto, where we
made surveys and photographs of a re-
markable series of intrenched buttes. After
several days spent in this locality we pro-
ceeded across an interesting country by
way of Bacuachi, on the borderland of the
Seri country. Going again south. We
reached the Rancho San Francisco de
Costa Rica," ranch on the Gulf of Cali
cual Encrarias, which \ las to be our sup
ply station.
Cowboys in Pursuit.
Before embarking we made preliminary
trip into the main ppzsish of the Seri ceun-
try. by wagon, climslAkhe highest NOUN
tains of the Seri ranges Making Topographic
cal surveys ard searching for the Indian
habitations on the fHhatA Aland. In spite of
our efforts we failed to find. single Ser!.
but learned of an incident which had great
bearing upon the future Of the expedition.
1t appeared that upon the third day before
our arrival the Seris had stolen four of the
cattle belonging to a Mexican rancher, and
that band of cowboys had fallen upon the
savases while they were engaged in cutting
up the animals. So unexpected was the
assault that the Indians fed in great haste
leaving their weapons behind them Among
these we fouad an old army musket and
many bows and arrows. The robbers, how
ever, made good their escape and warned all
Of the remainder of their tribe that the
Spaniards were In pursuit. When we arrived
we, of course, found the whole territory
evacuated, and We did not see single Seri
on the mainland all the time we were there.
"On returning to our ranch we got lumber,
previously ordered, and brought up by
direction of our friend Pascual, the Mexican
rancher. OF this we built simple. fat-bot-
hSNof fot OH toto v,a1 Ar,sf
When completed we put this boat into a
wagon, drawn by eight or ten horses and
hauled 1t down to the shore of Kino bay,
part of the Gulf of California. Launching
our craft, and after some preliminary navf-
cation of the bay, we went up the coast for
twenty-five miles, to the strait called Ell In
fiernillo. or Little Internal, which flows be-
tween Tiburon Island aud the mainland.
Navigating along the coast Of Mexico, touch
ing upon the Seri country all the way after
leaving the ranch. we found many shell
heaps. accumulated by the Indians. Many
of these were of considerable size, often as
much as forty or fifty feet high.
Mounds of Clam Shells.
1.-The small villages of the Seris are To-
| Gated along the shore in spots most favor
able for finding CLAIMS. After eating the
clans they throw away the shells, and thus
| for centuries this refuse had collected in
| such high heaps, as described, that they are
| found useful for foundations of settlements.
| Some of these shell mounds found to cover
an area of several acres. All of the settle
| ments of this kind which I visited were de-
| serted by their former inhabitants. The
| Seris wander from place to place, occupying
| villages for only few weeks at time,
| when they become restless and seek other
| scenes. Often they return again to the old
| settlement, using 1t regular residence
| during the fishing season, while another
| more favorable for the finding of game is
| the regular abode for the hunting season.
We followed the trail of what appeared to
be five Indians, who, from the appearance
| of their footprints, could not have gone be-
! fore us more than few hours.
'In one place we came across a fire which
| they had left burning. Beside 1t was stick
| which had been the only means by which
| their fire had been kindled. This was a
| simple rod of wood to be revolved between
| the hands and held against piece of dry
4 board until the friction developed flame
/ Beside the fire we found the remains of a
7 large turtle, which had been eaten. We
| tracked the band as far as San Maguie
I Point at the terminus Of the strait proper
/ Here where the channel, reaching to the
island, was but one mile and a quarter wide
they had crossed to TIhnron in their canoes
| and consequently we lostithem.
The northerly gaN 10 severe In these
and the sea was toesskeukh for Us to cross
with our little boat. HI 6nsequence of this
we were compelled t9Ts4aain at this point
on SnOre, TOT SeVerakdaNS, Wa1tlnS Tor the
sea to abate. By thS tit Pe we ran entirely
out of water, and juSt az was In the act
OF dispatching a party Aix or seven miles
| into the mainland, thk vshd fortunately fel
| and We decided to cross to the island ir
| two detachments. Our party now consisted
| Of twelve, altogether, including four white
men. two Mexicars. five Papago and one
| Yoh Indian. The white men, besides my
, self, were Mr.. Willard Johnson Of the geo.
logical survey, Mr.. ]. W. Mitchell and Mr.
| C. D. Millard, interpreter. Nine Of Il.
| crossed on the first trip, and after landing
on the island seven, including myself. there
remained, two returning to the mainland
/ for the other three men, whom we had lef
behind with the baggage and provisions.
Search for Water.
Just now we were to meet our frs
serious misfortune Soon after the depart
ure of the two who had gone back to brin.
those remaining, FIVE of US who had LANDED
penetrated into the interior Of the island Il
search for water. Having gone seven mile
we located spring and returned to camp
arriving there about 40 o'clock at night
The boat had not vet returned, and we re
tired at a loss to kEow what had becom
Of our companions. We waited anxiousl!
the next morning and stiA there was NJ
boat in sight
ITO keep up their spirits + told my com