The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1913-02-21

AN dT6 Iuo lhlo6 IOl0 VI
w the cruelty of the Seri In
dams, a primitive people
4" inhabiting Tiburon island.
in the Gulf Of California.
That they are not as bad as they have
been painted Is asserted by Thomas
H. Streets, medical director. U.
8. NJ, retired, who visited the island
with government surveying expedi-
ton and whose story follows:
On March 20. 1874. we reached an
anchorage at Tiburon island. the In
dams of which were then-as they are
yet-in evil repute. At one time, we
had been told, some Mexicans came to
the island in a small vessel to hunt for
pearl-oysters and we're killed by the
Indians. The Mexican government. in
retaliation, sent force against them
which killed many, but they were not
subdued. Somehow they acquired a
bad name, and, like Ishmael, their
hand has been against every man-so
We were told-and every mans hand
has been against them; this, at least,
Is true. They were feared so that not
even the greed of the pearl hunters
could induce the native to go near the
island to hunt the oyster which was
said to abound in its waters.
At Guaymas we were strongly ad-
vised not to 60 there. But George
Dewey, who had command of the sur
veying vessel, was not the man to be
deferred by few bad Indians from do
ing the work he was sent to do. Then,
there was a probability that the condi-
represented to be, there being ten
dency in human nature to exaggerate.
When we got there the only restric-
lions imposed upon US by the COM
handing officer were that we should
not 60 on shore alone and unarmed
There were a number of Indians on
the beach, but they made no hostile
movements when we landed. They
came forward readily enough and
shook hands all around. and we &C.
companied them to one of their tenn
porary encampments on the beach, a
short distance from where we had
landed, for they made US understand
that they had come here to fish from
some other part Of the island.
Lived In the Bushes.
Three families inhabited the beach
at this point, and the bushes were
their only shelter; for clothing they
wore few rags. We gave them cloth.
ing and bareback and canned corned
beef, which they accepted eagerly; but
their first and persistent want was for
something strong to drink. To satisfy
opportunities, they were given some
alcohol, in a bottle, we'll diluted We
became convinced that they would sell
the island for aguadiente. They
brought off to the ship and presented
to US two large fish which they had
just caught, which showed. we thought
appreciation Of favors received.
Shortly after our arrival the women
began to paint their faces and theil
children's with a blue pigment. Broad
lines were drawn with the finger. under
the eyes and down each side of the
nose. The men returned our call or
board the ship dressed in the old cloth
; ing which had recently been giver
them. One wore uniform coat much
too small for his broad shoulders. Il
, bumped him in the back 30 that hi
; looked deformed. Another had on &
coat the tails of which had beer
slashed with knife to make 1t claw
hammered A third wore blue shir
of a sailor with the rusty shoulder
straps of lieutenant.
A party of us visited In a boat {
large encampment about FIVE miles
away on the coast. The men were al
away hunting turtle, but women ant
: children were in plenty. They repre-
sented ten families. These had fol
, shelter semi-circular heaps Of brush
about four feet high. which were moth
ing better than wind-brakes.
Though we saw one or two old per
oussion guns, their principal weapon
was the bow and arrow. They sub
, sisted largely on fish and turtles and
! berries and roots. Their household
effects were few. OF those that we saw
, all might be carried away on the shout
ders Of one person. The women mad,
hind of platter OF grass and reeds
and they had earthenware vessels fel
holding water and for cooking Dur
poses
On the second day of our stay ",
were SO well impressed with thei
aEAsndly intention toward Us that tv<