Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-14
NEW MExIco's WHITE INDIANS
There In n Tradition That They Are
Descendants of the Welsh
Prince Madoc.


For more than 100 years the ques
tion whether there existed in America
a tribe of white Indians has been agi
tated, and more or less positive state
ments from learned men can be quoted
on both sides. That the legend of a
white race had basis in fact is proved
by six individuals still living in the
pueblo of Zuni, ~ NJ. Their existence,
however, is known to very few, and
even of those who have visited the vii.
lage not many have seen the white
Indians, for as a rule they keep them.
selves out of sight. The history of the
legend is interesting, says the Scientific
American
From the earliest times more or less
| definite rumors about white Indians
| have been current. In 1871 Rev. DR.
John Williams published treatise on
the subject, which is now very rare,
| although the impetus which he gave
the inquiry still survives. The purpose
| of the publication was to start a sub
| scription fund, to be devoted to the ex-
| ploration "of the wild parts of Amer
lea beyond the Ohio river" where the
author was sure the long-sought white
men would be found. In his own mind
there was not the slightest doubt that
these whites were descendants OF
Prince Madoc, of Wales, who, accord
ing to the old Welsh legend, left his
native country soon after ITO A. d., on
account of family dissensions, and
sailed out TO the west, leaving Ireland
on his 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, gather.
ing his adherents about him, he set
sail again for the far west, TO the land
which he had found and was never aft
erward heard of. DR.. Williams con.
tended that the white Indians vert
the descendants OF these twelfth CEN
fury Welshmen, and, whatever may be
thought OF his conclusion. his argu'
ment was certainly worth considera-
tion. lie cited the many reports con.
corning these Indians then current,
coming from various parts of the Amer
lean continent, particularly the &C.
count Of a man named Rimington,
native of England, who had met the
white Indians at a grand trading meet
ing. OF Indian fair. at the forks Of the
Ohio. He was told that they came from
a remote district west of the Mssis.
sippi Reimington's companion,
welshman. claims 10 have spoken &c
these Indians in his own language. II
was said also that these Indians had a
book. which they venerated highly |
but were unable to read.
More than go years later, when the
Pacific railroad surveys across the con.
tinent were made, the story cropped
out in another form. but the white In
dams were definitely located at the
pueblo of 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 practically synonymous in the
Zuni and Welsh languages No explain
alton OF the presence Of white members
OF the tribe was attempted. About 1877
j. II. Beadle. a newspaper correspond
ent, visited Zuni. He mentions book
which these Indians had, and which
they regarded with great reverence, al.
though they could not read It.
There can be no doubt that the white
Indians at Zuni are albinos. There are
four others at the Mod villages and
several scattered among the other
pueblos In dress. manners, customs
and language they are like their fell
flows. 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 a tawny
yellow. instead of the jet black which
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 color
Ing matter in the iris. As the skin =
acks that protection also these people @
suffer very much from sunburn, where !
the regular Indian Is almost as immune r
Is a negro. Their eyelids and lips are
always sore. and it is probably on ac-
,ount Of their dread of the sunlight
hat so few travellers have seen them.
To those who have seen these curious
'reaks they give the impression al first
hat they are 1rishmen dressed as In
Iians, for their faces have a decidedly
elite cast. The only way. however. in y
which they differ from other members
4 the tribe is ia the absence of color
ng matter in the skin and hair The
ause of this albinoism has not been
etermined; it may be due TO close in
within the family. an in
vitable result of the social system Of
he pueblos and their organization an
er the clan or Cens system,