The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1899-08-24

In King William County, Virginia.
not more than twenty-five miles from
Richmond, there live the only remains
OF IA once large and powerful tribe of
Indians. When Pocahontas saved
John Smith from the club the Pamun-
keys numbered some 10000, and could
raise an effective force OF 5000 war
riors. Less than 100 now are left, and
although the birth rate has In the last
decade slightly exceeded the death
rate, there Is little probability that they
can maintain their individuality an
other century. Yet they want for
nothing, have more land than they
know what to do with. and are all In
all the richest of red arlstocrats They
live on Il little peninsula, bottle
shaped neck of land comprising some
500 acres, Of which 80 are under cult
walton. They are far more wealthy
considered per capita than any nation
In the world. and far more happy.
Their tract abounds In game. which Is
one Of their chief sources of subsis-
tence. 1t Is secured TO them by an act
OF the old colonial Legislature. They
hold 1t in common. are prohibited from
alternating the title. and are exempt
from taxes, although, under an ancient
law, they are required TO supply the
Governor of the Virginia colony an.
nually with IA certain amount of wild
game. This practice still continues,
and during the shooting season, spring
and fall, they are in the habit. now and
then, of sending the Governor, by the
conductor OF the train. bunch of wild
ducks or haunch Of venlson.
The Pamunkeys have no relation
with the United States Government.
They receive no annuities, and their
names are not upon the rolls OF the In
dian office. The State OF Virginia an
nually appoints five trustees TO look
filter their interests, but the offices are
sinecnres, as the Indians are perfectly
capable of looking after themselves.
They elect their chief and council of
four, who exercise executive, legisla-
tive and judicial functions. Every
member of the tribe Is allowed to vote,
and on the day appointed they meet at
the council house. with usually two
candidates to choose from. Those in
favor OF one indicate their choice by
dropping "A grain of corn into the bal
lot box; those who prefer the other IN
dictate 1t by dropping bean in the
same place. These native officials take
care OF the tribe. punish all offenses ex-
faianfau xrshI lao Ia a
courts have jurisdiction. and conduct
Il cooperative merchandise store.
which Is patronlzed by white people
In the neighborhood, as we'll as the
members of the tribe. The Indians are
temperate. moral, peaceable and indus
trlous. Very few of them are full
blooded. During the 300 years OF con
tact with the whites and the negroes
around them they have been unable 10
preserve their racial integrity. although
the laws OF the tribe prohibit cobalt
tation or marriage with persons OF
African descent. They are exceeding
~ proud of their lineage, and, while
they would probably acknowledge the
white aristocracy of Virginia as their
equals. they decline TO have anything
TO do with the blacks, and some years
ago raised miniature rebellion because
mulatto woman was placed in charge
OF the public school upon their reserya-
ton.
Realizing that continual intermar-
rage has impaired the physical condl-
ton of the tribe. they have recently ap-
pointed committee TO treat with the
remnant of the Cherokee Indian ma
ton OF North Carolina on this subject.
The Pamunkeys are not only thor
oughly civilized. but are quite inclined
TO be religious. The best building on
their reservation Is a Baptist Church.
at which nearly every member of the
tribe attends service twice on Sunday
under the administration of a native
PREACHER