The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-15

WRITTEN O THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC
One OF the widest and most spectacular
expeditions. and one which has awakened
the keenest interest OF the people of South-
ern California, is the recent trip OF Arizona
Charles party to Tiburon Island. Mexico
Tiburon Island. situated only ninety miles
from, Guaymas. Mexico. is thirty-two miles
in length and eighteen in width.
1t resembles any other island. with It's
desert vegetation. in the Gulf OF California.
vet, inconceivable as ii may seem. thls
leland has not been explored since 1870
when an Italian friar, Marco de Mia pene-
trated its mysterious depths.
All who have attempted to repeat the OBJ
GRAFTON have either persisted in the at
tempt or failed lamentably, on account oil
the ferocity of its inhabitants.
The Seris. the dwollers upon this island,
are a far different race from those rouho
about them. From the earliest time up 10
the present they have held undisputed sway.
Tim and again expeditions have been sent
| out by the Republic OF Mexico, but without
the slightest success.
They have remained the same mysterious
race and nave dwelt upon the same island
for centuries. So great has been their dom
nation that the natives and Indians OF the
surrounding country pale at the mere men
ton of their dreaded name.
The island is separated from the coast OF
Sonora, Mexico, by a narrow strait only two
| miles in width, known as the Ansostura del
Inferno (Strait OF Held. which enables the
inhabitants to cross over at low tide TO the
| mainland almost dry shod.
What has given the Serbs such a dreaded
name and has so cOwed the inhabitants OF
the adjoining coast of Sonora Is their
frishtful ~rorties on the ranches OF the main
land.
RAIDING THE MAINLAND.
AT times they have penetrated nearly as
far as Guaymas, carrying OF every Mexican
woman and child that crossed their path.
The peculiar thing is that no one who has
been captured by the Seris has ever been
seen again. Some have reported that the
Serbs are cannibals and eat their capuves.
Others state that they have caught giinpses
of what appeared 10 be white men driven
like pack animals.
A few glimpse of these fierce. brawny
Indians. averaging over 6 feet in height
swooping Down like a whirlwind. dealing
death and destruction in their path. is the
sum total OF all that is known of them.
As would naturally be supposed. only the
most foolhardy ana daring adventures
would ever think Of making such a reckless
expedition. which is indeed The truth In
this instance. for never was a more daring
crowd of adventurers than the OUTFIT Arr
IONA Charlie got together
The foremost of them all is Charlie NM
self. In private life he is known as Charhe
Meadows. He is u splendid example of a
fast disappearing type-the western ad-
yenturer. He is 6 feet 4 in height and as
agile as a cat. His life has been as varied
as any one can live. As an Indian fighter
he was actively engaged in the campaigns
against Chiefs Victoria and Geronimo. As a
Wild West rider he has encircled the globe
twice. Klondike miner. boomer. cowboy.
Arizona Charlie has been all. and he has
remained the same unspoiled Charlie. with
d child's love OF display.
FEARLESS ADVENTURES.
The others of the party were George Fu-
gard of San Diego. who has never missed
a boom since 1873: John Arnold of Rands-
burg; Frank Meadows of Arizona. Walker
Wheatley of San Francisco and Z. De
Haven of San Diego. Before the trip was
made Charley obtained certain concessions
from the Mexican Government. by which
he obtained an option on the island for
something like $4,000. and the trip was
more in the nature OF an exploration. with
the intention Of making a settlement in the
future.
We met by appointment" said George
Fugard recently in telling of the expedi-
ton. lat Hermosillo on september IA, and
stayed two days. as Charley wanted to see
the Governor. who WAS an OH friend Of
his. His Excellency was sick and Charley
was unsuccessful in his efforts. so our party
proceeded to Guaymas. At this place the
serious work Of the expedition commenced,
namely. the getting of a boat and an out
fit.
by hook and crook L finally got hold of
a prospector's outfit and Charley bought
the sloop Ellie. of eleven tons. We then
set sail for Tiburon. which is from 100 to
125 miles dow the coast. Many We're the
amusing experiences we had. No one ex-
cept Captain Gus. a reckless Swede. whom
We got at Guaymas. knew anything about
sailing a boat. Scarcely had We left the