The representative., 1900-11-29
NEW MExICO.s WHITE INDIANS.

NEW MExICO.s WHITE INDIANS.
Tradition That They Are Descend-
ants Of the Welsh Prince MadOc.
For more than 100 years the question
whether there existed in America tribe
of white Indians has been agitated, and
more or less positive statements from
learned men can be quoted on both sides.
That the legend of white race had
basis in fact is proved by six individuals
still living in the pueblo of Zuni, N. M.
Their existence, however, is known to-
very few, and even of those who have
visited the village not many have seen
the white Indians, for as rule they keep
themselves out of sight. The history IF
the legend is interesting.
From the earliest times more or less
definite rumors about white Indians have
been current In 1871 Rev. DR.. John
William published treatise on the sub
ject, which is now very rare, although
the impetus which he gave the inquiry
still survives. The purpose of the publi-
cation was to start a subscription fund,
to be devoted to the exploration "of the
wild parts of America beyond the Ohio
| river" where the author was sure the
i long-sought white man would be found.
| In his own mind there was not the
| slightest doubt that these whites were
descendants of Prince Madoc of Wales
who, according to the old Welsh legends
! left his native country soon after ITO
A. D., on account of family dissensions.
and sailed out to the west, leaving Ire
land on the right hand.
! According to the ancient bards, Prince
Madoc returned in the course of time
with glowing accounts of new country
he had discovered, and, gathering his
adherents about him, he set sail again
for the far west, to the land which he
had found, and was never afterward
heard Of DR.. Williams contended that
the white Indians were the descendants
| of these Twelfth century Welshmen, and
whatever may be thought of his conclu-
sions, his argument was certainly worth
consideration. He cited the many re-
ports concerning these Indians current.
coming from various parts of the Ameri-
can continent, particularly the account
OF man named Rimington, a native Of
England, who had met the white Indians
, at a grand trading meeting, or Indian
fair, at the forks of the Ohio. He was
told that they came from a remote dis
tons companion, Welshman, claims to
have spoken to these Indians in his own
language. 1t is said, also, that these In
dians had book, which they venerated
! highly, but were unable to read.
More than 60 years later, when the Pa
cifc railroad surveys across the conti-
nent were made, the story cropped out
in another form, but the white Indians
| Zuni. In the reports of that survey,
published in 1856, description of one OF
the Indians is given, together with a list
of words which were said to be practical
ly synonymous in the Zuni and Welsa
languages. No explanation of the pres
enc of the white members of the tribe
was attempted. About 1877 J. H. Beadle,
newspaper correspondent, visited Zuni.
He mentioned Dook which these In
dians had, and which they regarded with
great reverence, although they could not
read it.
There can be no doubt that the white
four others at the Moki villages and sey-
eral scattered among the other pueblos.
Ir dress, manners, customs and language
they are much like their fellows, but
their complexion is very fair; they are,
indeed, much whittier than the average
white man who has lived much in the
open air. Their hair is tawny yellow,
instead of the jet black which character
ICES the Indian. Their eyes are SO weak
that they have to keep them closed in
the sunlight. This is due, doubtless, to
the absence of colOring in the iris AS
the skin lacks that protection also these
people suffer very much from sunburn,
where the regular Indian is almost as
immune as a negro. Their eyelids and
lips are always sore, and it is probably
on account of their dread of the sunlight
that SO few travellers have seen them.
To those who have seen these curious
freaks they give the impression at first
that they are Irishmen dressed as In
dians, for their faces have a decidedly
Celtic cast. The only way, however, in
which they differ from other members
) of the tribe is in the absence of colorins
matter in the skin and hair The cause
OF this albinoism has not been determin.
J ed; 1t may be due to close intermarriagy
within the family, an inevitable result
of the social system of the pueblos and
their organization under the clan or gems
} system.-Scientific American.