Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-04-24

itis VI th6 north Ee9<
published in the Atla.
says that people speaking i5c
language live there and are supposed q
pc members Of the lost tribes Of Israel.
In THIS connection II may not be inappro-
pirate to recall an old legend extant
among the orthodox Jews OF Russia re-
garding this subject, and which confirms
the report of the explorer
Years and years ago, so the story runs.
an exiled Jew on the bleak wilds of north
ern IBERIA, In an effort to reach an over
hanging branch of tree, placed his foot
upon log floating on the water. No
sooner had his foot touched the log when
1t seemed inspired with life and moved
rapidly off, bearing the exile away toward
the vast ice fields which were plainly Wis.
ible and plentiful toward the north. Rap
IDLY the current swept the log northward.
bearing with 1t the Unfortunate Jew. who
was so benumbed with fear and cold
that he was unable to formulate a plan
OF escape from his perilous position.
FOR three consecutive days and nights
the prisoner chung to the log, passing
through towering fields OF icebergs and
uashil1g under arches cut by the current
through the sky-scraping fields of Ice.
Out into beautiful sunshine our traveller
eventually emerged. The grass was green
ana the trees We're CARRIED In the spiendor
Oh nature and birds made merry music ON
every branch. People. great in numbers.
We're congregated ON either bank of the
stream, all dressed in holiday raiment of
the finest texture, but similar in charac-
ter to the clothing worn by our ancestors
1000 years ago. The current of the stream
ceased to flow, the log drifted to the bank
and the almost famished and thoroughly
frightened traveller repeated for the thous-
andth time the Hebrew words .'shama-
israel" and In uncertain manner dis
mounted from the log,
The Inhabitants crowded about. ana
speaking in Hebrew with which language
he was thoroughly conversant) learned OF
his need of food and rest, and supplied
those wants, after which they INQUIRED
whence he came and whittier he was go-.
lng. Numerous inquiries were made re-
garding the people who lived beyond their
ciroumscribed world, who in reciprocity
informed him Of themselves and their
mode of living, which had in nowise
changed since the advent OF the Christian
era.
They worked and worshipped, even as
1id the Jew In ancient times, when Pales-
hAtNS vas "a SdIuoIl anu Jerusalem the CEN
ter OF civilization. The traveller learned
that these people were the lost tribes of
Israel, who had migrated to this goodly
country. led by the descendant of Aaron
named Joseph-who had passed away
without leaving any descendants. with
them they had brought many of the yes
sells and much of the paraphernalia OF
Solomon's temple and patterned their
house of worship after this famous tenn
pie of Jerusalem.
The traveller was told that the streams
current was active six days in the week
and on the seventh became quiet and did
not move, but as he was member OF a
different tribe to themselves he would
not DO allowed to remain within the coun-
try. So he was placed in a boat, which
was pushed out into the current and was
borne by circuitous route back to ST.
IBERIA. Afterward he was pardoned. re-
turned to Russia and told his adventure.