The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-19
Men Whose Ancestors Ate Each
Other Subjects of Inquiry.
Chicago Professor Takes His
Life In His Hands.
IN FAR-OFF MEXICO.
Dwell the Fierce Tribe of
SsMixes" Hostile to Whites.
Object to Obtain Data For An
thrOpOlOgical Researches.

Chicago, Dec. 19.-Professor Freder-
lcz Starr of the University of Chicago,
explorer and archaeOIogist, will leave
Chicago next Wednesday for southern
Mexico to journey among Indians whose
tribe but a generation ago took pride
In the possession Of the title, the last
OF the American cannibals.'' Three
years ago the educator ventured lit
tie way into the territory of these fierce
savages-the NIixes-onIy to be driven
out by them. Upon this journey he will
have an escort of three persons only,
a photographer, q plaster cast maker
and a Mexican half-breed whom he
brought from the Montezuman land last
spring for the purpose of training him
for this particular expedition.
The University Of Chicago is to bene-
1T by the trip among these QuOndam
eaters of human flesh. The object which
Professor Starr has in view is the col
lection OF physical types Researches in
this field Of anthropOlOgy include meas
urements of the people visited, their
photographs and their busts in plas
ter. These Will be used in future class
room lectures by the scientist, provided
he returns safe from his perilous ex-
ploration-
Professor Starr viii leave Chicago
next Wednesday with the Mexican boy,
Manuel Gonzales. He will be joined a
Mexico City by Charles Lang, pho
tOgrapher of Bluff, Utah, and by a ma
tive Mexican plaster worker, BachecO
by name from Pueblo. Leaving Mexico
City the party viii travel to Oaxaca by
rail and viii then begin It's horseback
journey of 1000 miles among Indians
who are almost unknown to historians
or even to the officials of the Mexican
government, which claims a nominal
control over them.
The Mixes live in the mountains to
dhe south Of OaNaca. Three years ago
the intrepid Chicagoan started into
their country. Soon after entering the
district inhabited by them he came
across the mutilated corpse ia ma
tive A little further on he met the
murderers, who were making no effort
TO conceal their crime. That night his
companion was set upon by an intOxi-
waited chief and almost killed. Shortly
afterWard Professor Starr started back
toward civilization
Within a month the teacher will again
be in the land of the Mixes. many of
whom are the children of cannibals, IN
armed except with utensils commonly
used for eXcavating. The photograph
ing and measuring Of the men, women
and children will be a comparatively
easy matter, but in the securing Of the
plaster casts the brave investigator
looks for some trouble
To get these molds the native, the de-
Ecendant Of cannibals, must be held and
oiled Then soft plaster is spread upon
his back The same process is used
upon the breast and lower part of the
race, and then an impression is taken
Professor Starr said that he was going
to get at least so of these casts In the
process Of securing them he declared he
might have to use force, although he
greatly preferred gentler means, hyp-
notisms for example.
If the explorer survives his visit
among the Mixes he will continue his
journey still further to the south among
the members of a savage tribe called
the Juaves. These Indians are of doubt
1ul origin, but of undOubted ferocious-
ness. They live upon fish, captured in
the gulf upon the shore Of which their
villages are built, and have never seen
more than two white men. Physical
types VIII be secured of these also.
The southernmOst point in the profess
Eor's itinerary is the Indian village of
Chaumala- In that village the TzOtzill
Indians made themselves famous a
short time ago by indulging in the last
of the Mexican wars. Inspired by pa
gan priests and priestesses the people
arose and before they were subdued
hundreds were Killed. Among these
Professor Starr will end his labOrs.
Should all his plans be realized-and
upon ten previous journeys he has had
that good fOrtune-he will return to
Chicago late in April