The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-18
THE TENNESSEE MELUSG ERUs.
A Man or Their Race writcs About tho sISster,
OF Their Origin.
From the 81. Louf. Globe. Democrat.

From the 81. Louis Globe. Democrat.
DATuRA, Tenn, July s.-Much has been writ
ten OF q community OF people In Hancock county,
East Tennessee. known as the Melungerus.
Many OF these articles have both Intentionally
and unintentionally misreprcsented existing
conditions. Having been raised among this
class and being ono of them ! dosiro to present
our side Of the case and detail n little history in
connection Herewith. We 1.-Two in n country
which newspapers seldom roach and which is in
frequently sought by visitors. This being the
case. when an incorrect story goes the rounds OF
the press the public is inclined to view us as an
outcast race. ugly, dishonest. treachcrous and
unworthy the confidence and respect OF a civil
lized people.
We have been correctly located on Newman's
Ridge. but misreprcsented as to general charac-
ter, color, and physique. As to our origin. we
are as much a mystery to ourselves as we are to
every one else. We are taught by tradition that
we are the descendants of the Aztecs. and the
county was settled by the whites this race
lived on that portion q Newwman,s Ridge
the Virginia state line, Covering an area
Of about twenty. miles in length by two
IN nf ,his Pcr aqa but TO fey sSis Of d GSF F' Sow Mvs and Spt thss
a family moves to some point in the West: We
have had dealings, with many Of the whites In
and Virginia: and they regard US as straight;
forward and honest. Our ancestors first settled
to this country no person could live in the val:
leys or on any Of tho water courses. as the old
Which eSi M"I fever ",Sst and asne, and Other diseases
which were prevalent in the lowlands. Our an;
cestors were fond OF hunting. trapping. and
ami since this occupation proved to be u%hproft,,
able our attention has been turned to farming
OF country that has a finer variety Of apples.
peaches ISnn C Ssx peaTs: gRTisSp rs 6 ana n mS1Is a esn Ssnc traits
Ihavc conversed with many of tho older ones
Of our race. and they say their parents told them
Portuguese sailors who landed upon the North
Carolinian coast and wandered to the spot where
ancestors were buried in mounds in North Caro-
lima. and their we'll preserved relics OF pipes.
sosils; RiGas' t iRs i Sinsr tRinF ha go " b aSns c Tiss ID
with the negroes. but our long. black, straight
hair. our high check bones; and our red
The marriage of one Of our race with a white
ment, and when we have q departure OF this
kind 1t Is always the lowest Of our race with the
demned alike by MelunEerus and whites. The
names which are most comm2n with our race
M GSin Sot eel' ana a aiiSs3n' Goodman Bunch
there has not been a time in twenty years that
in the County Court We always have from one
elector on the Harrison ticket In the First Elec-
toral district OF Tennessee in 1892. and carried
this district By. an increased Republican major
ity. One man here whose maternal parent was
q Collins was a Democratic elector several years
ago. and served one term In the legislature. and
has on several occasions held important post
tions OF trust.
We have several ministers OF our race. Man
son Goodman. Abijah Collins. Mrs. Huldah Glib
son. and Martin Collins being the most promi-
nent. Each is the pastor OF q church. Mrs.
Huldah Gibson has held several successful re-
vivnls. The whole OF our race arc missionary
Baptists. We have q Post Office at Varda, a
place named in honor Of Varda Collins, ono OF
The first settlers OF our race. This ofice is six
miles north Of Sneedville, and the expense of
carrying the mail is paid by citizens of our race.
citizen. a consistent member OF tho Baptist
Church. and liked by all who lived and knew
him in his day. LEWIS PRETT.