North American BioFortean Review - Issue 14

Magazine Overview

Title: North American BioFortean Review
Issue: Volume 6, No. 1, Issue #14
Date: June 2004
Editor: Chad Arment
Publisher: Strangeark.com

This issue of the North American BioFortean Review presents a collection of intriguing and often bizarre historical accounts, ranging from natural curiosities to folklore and cryptozoological reports. The publication aims to explore the unexplained and the unusual, drawing from old scientific news letters, reader submissions, and historical records.

Contents Overview

The magazine features several sections, including "Notes from Science News Letter, 1937-1938," "From the Readers," "Book Reviews," and various articles on peculiar phenomena.

Notes from Science News Letter, 1937-1938

This section revisits a series of short articles from the past, highlighting strange occurrences:

• Honey-Tombed Squirrel In Nest of Wild Bees: Reports on a squirrel that died in a bee tree in Bedford County, Virginia, and was subsequently mummified by honey. The body was found in 1928 and preserved remarkably well.
• Skeleton with Big Teeth May Show Old American Type: Details the discovery of an ancient skeleton near Abilene, Texas, by Dr. Cyrus N. Ray. The skeleton possessed remarkably large molar teeth, described as having an "anthropoid pattern," suggesting a prehistoric type of American.
• Montezuma Had no Zoo—Writer Had Imagination: Debunks a popular story about Montezuma having a zoo, attributing it to a seventeenth-century yellow journalist named Antonio de Solis who embellished historical accounts.
• Eel So Thin It Looks Like Piece of String: Describes an extremely thin eel, captured off the coast of Cuba by Dr. Paul Bartsch, which was added to the Smithsonian Institution's collection. Similar specimens are rare, with others found in New Guinea and Tahiti.
• Human-Like Tracks in Stone Are Riddle to Scientists: This extensive article discusses mysterious footprints found in sandstone formations dating back to the Coal Age (approximately 250 million years ago). These prints, found in Kentucky, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, resemble human feet but are far too old to be human. The article explores the possibility of a giant, bipedal amphibian as the creator of these tracks, noting the absence of fossil evidence of such a creature.
• Strange Hybrid Sheep Results From Bighorn Cross: Recounts instances of bighorn rams crossing with domestic ewes, primarily in Wyoming and Colorado. While hybrid lambs were born, they lacked vitality and died within days. The article speculates on the potential for creating a hardier breed of domestic sheep.

From the Readers

This section includes short notes from readers on various topics:

• Albinotic Possum
• Hairless Monkey
• Search for the Southwestern River Otter

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• The Making of Bigfoot
• Quaggas and Other Zebras
• A Dictionary of Cryptozoology

Rescued from the Past #3

This section reprints articles about historical curiosities:

• An 1900s Prehistoric Amazon Monster (Smith & Mangiacopra)
• The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Reprint) (Arthur Cleveland Bent)
• The "Blond" Eskimos (Reprint) (Vilhjalmur Stefansson)

You Don't Have to Believe It

This section, authored by Ronald L. Ives, explores the nature of "tall tales" and their place in folklore and literature. It discusses how these stories, often passed down orally, serve as a form of historical record for primitive tribes and have evolved into a part of modern literature.

• Theses on Paul Bunyan: Discusses the enduring legacy of legendary figures like Paul Bunyan and Juan Catorce in American folklore and literature.
• Desert Tales: Features a story about "Rot-Gut Pete," who allegedly vanished after leaning against a giant flycatcher plant in the Arizona desert.
• Northland Tales: Mentions strange discoveries from the Arctic, such as furred salmon reported from the Coppermine River, and the tales of Arctic explorers.

Tripodero, Texas Terror

This article describes a mythical creature from Texas called the "tripodero," a perambulating putty-blower that hunts by sucking the juices out of its prey. The description is presented as a "guide's tale."

Jersey Devil Repealed

This piece discusses the legend of the "Jersey Devil," a monster that reportedly appeared in Northern New Jersey. Its appearances are linked to the distribution of illicit applejack, and its presence has since diminished.

Other Strange Creatures and Tales

The magazine continues with accounts of other unusual beings and phenomena:

• Hodag: A fearsome beast from Bear Mountain, New York, that supposedly preys on hunting dogs.
• Rackabore: A creature from the Colorado hills, described as evolving from the javelina, with specialized legs for hillside travel. The article recounts a tale of two rackabores starving to death on a narrow trail due to their obstinacy.
• Lost Lake of Mercury: Mentions accounts collected by Fray Pedro de Escobar of strange beings near the Gulf of California, including a tribe of "unipeds" (one-legged people) and a reported lake of mercury that has since dried up.
• Other Strange Creatures of Lower California: Discusses tribes with unusual physical characteristics, such as large ears or stiff tails, and beings that subsisted by inhaling odors or living entirely underwater.
• Ancient Indian Imaginary Creatures: Notes that some creatures reported today, like the "sandhill perch," may have ancient origins, citing an archaeological find in New Mexico.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North American BioFortean Review consistently focuses on the fringes of accepted knowledge, exploring unexplained phenomena, cryptozoology, folklore, and historical oddities. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting these accounts for consideration without necessarily endorsing them as factual, often highlighting the speculative or legendary nature of the subjects. The publication seems to value historical records and anecdotal evidence as sources for exploring the unknown, encouraging readers to ponder possibilities beyond conventional understanding.

This issue of the North American BioFortean Review features a collection of articles and reviews exploring a range of topics related to anomalies, folklore, and cryptozoology.

Mimbres Valley Surrealism

The issue opens with a discussion of surrealism, linking it to psychological aspects of "tall tales." It highlights Mimbres Valley pottery from 1,000 years ago, which features a "rattlerabbit"—a creature with a rabbit's body and a rattlesnake's tail. The article suggests that surrealism is related to the psychological need for wonder and amusement, and that tall tales satisfy this need. It also touches upon how extreme conditions like hunger, thirst, or fatigue can alter human perception, leading to hallucinations or "seeing things" that are not there. The article posits that some wild tales told by travelers might stem from mistaken observations, using the example of the mermaid possibly being a misidentified dugong or sea-cow. It contrasts the enduring nature of stories from "half-crazy miners" with the need for constant novelty in fiction. The piece concludes by noting the human tendency to invent mythical lands like Atlantis or Mu when current narratives lose their appeal, suggesting that apocryphal tales are often more attractive than truth.

Animal Anomalies

Albinotic Possum

A reader submission details an "albinotic possum" found as roadkill in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. While not a full albino due to dark eyes and ears, its fur is distinctly white, making it a "very interesting specimen."

Hairless Monkey

Another reader submission presents an image of a hairless monkey from Varanasi, India. The article identifies it as likely a rhesus macaque, noting that hairlessness in this species can be due to a known genetic mutation causing hypotrichosis. It references a scientific article detailing this mutation.

Book Reviews

The Making of Bigfoot

This review discusses Greg Long's book, "The Making of Bigfoot," which aims to unravel the mystery of the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film. The reviewer finds that the book, despite extensive interviews, makes the story more complex and muddled. While the author concludes the film was a hoax involving Roger Patterson and Bob Heironimus as the "man in the ape suit," the reviewer finds Long's presentation of conflicting accounts (e.g., Heironimus's homemade costume versus a professional suit) problematic. The reviewer personally doubts the existence of a North American ape but finds Long's narrative unconvincing. The book is recommended for its recent interviews but does not definitively settle the Patterson-Gimlin story.

Quaggas and Other Zebras

This review of David Barnaby's book is largely critical. The reviewer's initial contact with quaggas was through a 1970s wildlife guide that erroneously listed them and moas as living animals. The reviewer was disappointed with Barnaby's book, finding that much of it was not about quaggas but rather recollections of travel in South Africa, resembling a tourist guide. Criticisms include the repetition of the author's prejudices (anti-Americanism, blaming hunting for extinctions) and a "politically correct" stance that unfairly accuses white Europeans. The reviewer also disputes Barnaby's claim that the Son ("Bushman") people are extinct. The book's approach is deemed superficial, focusing on anecdotal experiences and the number of zebra stripes rather than zoological depth. Barnaby's interest in quaggas is characterized as an "eccentric obsession." The review notes Barnaby's extensive listing of stuffed quaggas and mentions a "back-breeding" project to recreate the extinct quagga, comparing it to "Jurassic Park" but warning of the dangers of genetic alteration. The book contains only one paragraph on cryptozoology, mentioning Rider Haggard's "King Solomon's Mines" and Lawrence G. Green's work, but Barnaby states he is not a cryptozoologist and finds attempts to find living quaggas "abortive." The review concludes that the book is only of interest to tourists or those who enjoy repetitive facts about zebra stripes. An editor's note offers a special deal on Barnaby's book paired with another.

A Dictionary of Cryptozoology

This review discusses Ronan Coghlan's "A Dictionary of Cryptozoology," highlighting the trend of print-on-demand publishing for specialized works. The reviewer praises the book for cataloging cryptids and notes its extensive entries (estimated between 2500-2800), which include cryptids and non-cryptids, historical accounts, and folklore. However, the reviewer wishes for expanded citations, noting that sources are often listed by title rather than specific issue or page number, making further research difficult. The reviewer also points out instances of incorrectly cited entries. Despite these criticisms, the book is considered useful, particularly for those new to cryptozoology.

Rescued from the Past - #3: An 1900s Prehistoric Amazon Monster

This section explores the story of a "prehistoric Amazon monster" and its connection to Frank R. Stockton's classic 1884 fictional story, "The Lady or the Tiger?" The article introduces the concept of verifying alleged cryptid encounters from centuries past, drawing a parallel to the open-ended nature of Stockton's tale. Stockton's story, about a man choosing between a tiger and a lady as punishment, is explained as a prime example of an ambiguous narrative. The piece then introduces a tale by Franz Herrmann Schmidt, originally published in 1911, about an expedition to the Amazon jungle where he and his companions encountered a prehistoric monster. The article notes that Schmidt's account, reprinted here for the first time in its entirety since its original publication, was written by an "unscientific man" and was previously neglected for a century. An anonymous introduction to Schmidt's account compiles reports of mysterious beasts in the Amazon from various sources, including explorers like Amyas Leigh and Major George W. Fawcett, and mentions scientists' willingness to credit the existence of surviving ancient dinosaurs in tropical swamps. It also includes accounts from Charles Johnson Post and Adriano Fortales, who heard similar stories or saw evidence of large animals. Schmidt's own account begins with his hesitation to publicize his story due to disbelief from friends and others.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of folklore, eyewitness accounts, and scientific inquiry, particularly within the realm of cryptozoology and unexplained phenomena. There's a recurring theme of distinguishing between genuine anomalies and misinterpretations, hoaxes, or the products of extreme psychological states (like "tall tales" born from hardship or altered perception). The reviews of books on Bigfoot, quaggas, and cryptozoology suggest a critical yet open-minded approach to the subject matter, valuing detailed research and accurate citation while acknowledging the speculative nature of many topics. The inclusion of reader submissions on animal anomalies indicates an interest in unusual biological occurrences. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting diverse accounts and analyses, encouraging readers to draw their own conclusions, particularly in cases like "The Lady or the Tiger?" or Schmidt's Amazon monster encounter. The publication also seems to encourage reader contributions, as indicated by the invitation to submit articles.

This issue of the North American BioFortean Review features two main articles: an account of an alleged encounter with a prehistoric cryptid in the Amazon by Franz Herrmann Schmidt, and a detailed discussion of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.

Franz Herrmann Schmidt's Amazonian Expedition

The issue presents a narrative attributed to Franz Herrmann Schmidt, detailing an expedition in the Amazon region around 1911. Schmidt recounts his journey with Captain Rudolph Pfleng, a sailor and trader. They initially sought concessions in the Orinoco country but, due to political unrest, decided to explore the interior and descend a river on the Amazon side of the watershed.

Schmidt describes the increasingly wild and dense jungle, the challenges of organizing local porters, and their search for gold, which proved fruitless. The expedition followed various rivers, including the Arlari and Guayabero, and encountered the San Maderia and Mamore Railway project. They navigated difficult terrain, including dense forests where trees were engulfed by creepers, making travel on solid ground rare.

A significant portion of the narrative focuses on encounters with large snakes and an unknown creature. Schmidt describes a giant boa constrictor, estimated to be 65-70 feet long, encountered near a waterfall. Later, while exploring a lake choked with vegetation, they discovered tracks and evidence of a large, amphibious creature. They built a dugout canoe to investigate further and observed signs of a massive body moving through the water and plants. This creature left behind large wallows and crushed vegetation, with marks suggesting immense weight.

Schmidt and Pfleng had a close encounter with this creature, described as having a head about the size of a beer keg, a snakelike neck, and dull, alligator-like eyes. Their rifles proved ineffective against it, as bullets did not penetrate its tough hide. The creature was estimated to be about 35 feet long, with a head and neck comprising roughly 12 feet. Following this encounter, they decided to retreat, recognizing the danger and the inadequacy of their weaponry.

The article questions the veracity of Schmidt's tale, noting that many such adventurer's stories were told for amusement or profit. It mentions an inquiry made by author Mangiacopra to the Library of Congress regarding the copyright of Schmidt's 1911 article, but research was hindered by lost records and fees. Dr. Roy P. Mackal also investigated Schmidt's account in relation to the mokele-mbembe but found no corroborating evidence, suggesting Schmidt might have used a pen name.

The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

The second major section of the review focuses on the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker (*Campephilus principalis*). Arthur Cleveland Bent is credited with extracting information from his 1939 work, "Life Histories of North American Woodpeckers."

The article highlights the woodpecker's striking appearance, mysterious habitat, and the tragedy of its potential extinction, making it a species of peculiar interest. It traces historical accounts from Mark Catesby in 1731, noting the value of its bills to Native American tribes. The species was once found throughout the Gulf States and up the Mississippi Valley but is now considered almost extinct, clinging to existence in a few isolated areas of Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina.

The Ivory-bill primarily inhabits southern swamps with mature timber, feeding on wood-boring larvae. Its habits vary by region, with some observed feeding on young pines or on the ground, while others stick to mature forests. The article details the breeding season, which appears irregular but generally starts in late March and early April. It provides numerous dated records of nesting, egg-laying, and young birds from various locations and researchers, including E. A. McIlhenny, Dr. S. W. Wilson, A. Wayne, and A. A. Allen.

Observations on courtship are mentioned, including a pair observed in Florida in 1924, where the male and female clasped bills before flying off to feed. The nesting sites are described as variable, with holes typically made in live trees like ash or hackberry at significant heights, though nests have also been found in cypress, oak, and even palmetto stubs. Measurements of nest cavities and entrance holes are provided, along with details about the orientation of the openings and the birds' apparent preference for trees that offer protection from rain, though this was not universally observed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The review appears to focus on bio-anomalies and lesser-known aspects of natural history. The inclusion of Schmidt's cryptid encounter suggests an interest in the unexplained and potentially undiscovered creatures. The detailed account of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, a species on the brink of extinction, reflects a concern for natural resources and biodiversity. The editorial stance seems to be one of presenting intriguing accounts and scientific observations, leaving the reader to ponder the validity and implications of the presented information, as indicated by the "Truth Or An Adventurer's Tale?" section and the "The Lady or The Tiger?" analogy.

This issue of the North American BioFortean Review, spanning pages 31-36 and 7-10, features two main articles: one detailing the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and another exploring the phenomenon of the "Blond" Eskimos.

The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

The article provides extensive details on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (*Campephilus principalis*), drawing from various ornithologists and researchers like McIlhenny, Bendire, Scott, Hoyt, Allen, Kellogg, Audubon, Maurice Thompson, and James Tanner.

Nesting Habits and Eggs

Nest hole measurements are discussed, with typical dimensions for typical holes and those of the Pileated Woodpecker for comparison. The depth of Ivory-bill holes can vary significantly, from three to seven feet, and they are often jug-shaped at the lower end. Nests discovered in Florida by Hoyt had openings measuring 6 3/4 by 3 1/4 inches and 6 by 3 3/4 inches, with cavities 14 inches deep. The outer bark of nest trees was often torn to shreds. Regarding excavation, McIlhenny states the female does all the work, while Audubon and Maurice Thompson suggest both birds participate. Chips from excavation are usually found below the opening, though less conspicuous in wet areas.

Observations in Louisiana in 1935 involved continuous daylight monitoring of a nest. The birds were not overly wary, allowing close observation even when researchers were near the nest tree. A second pair was found nearby, but their nest was later occupied by a black squirrel.

The eggs are described as pure china white, close-grained, and glossy, varying from elongate ovate to cylindrical ovate. Sets typically contain three to five eggs. Average measurements of thirteen eggs are 34.87 by 25.22 mm (approx. 1.37 by 0.99 inches). Hoyt's measurements for two sets are also provided. The article notes that often only one or two young are successfully reared, with infertile eggs being common.

Plumage and Development

Descriptions of natal and juvenal plumages are scarce. Scott (1888) noted a young female, one-third grown, with feathers similar to the adult female. James Tanner's extensive study of a young ivorybill over three months after it left the nest provides a detailed account of its development. Initially resembling an adult female, the young bird had a short, blunt crest, a short, square tail, white tips on outer primaries, and a chalky white bill. Over time, the crest lengthened, the tail became pointed, and the bill and eye color changed. By three and a half months, the bird's size, proportions, bill, and eye color matched adults, with scarlet feathers appearing in the crest and white wing tips diminishing.

The primary difference between adult males and females is the crest: brilliant scarlet in males (excluding uppermost feathers) and entirely black in females. Females are generally larger, with specific measurements provided for skins, wings, tails, culmens, and tarsi for both sexes. The general color is glossy blue-black, with white markings on the neck, secondaries, and under wing coverts. The iris is pale lemon-yellow, and tarsi and toes are light gray.

Food and Feeding Habits

Audubon mentioned grapes, persimmons, and hackberries, in addition to beetles and grubs. McIlhenny noted acorns, while Maurice Thompson asserted that only woodpeckers eat insects and larvae. The birds were observed feeding on dead trees and branches, sometimes scaling bark for larvae and sometimes digging for borers. They showed no species preference for trees. In Florida, they fed in dead pines and sometimes got down on the ground, similar to Flickers. Stomach analyses from the U.S. Biological Survey indicate a diet of wood-boring larvae (constituting 37.5% of food), engraver beetles, magnolia seeds, hickory and pecan nuts, and poison ivy.

Behavior and Vocalizations

The flight is described as a uniform direct flight, resembling the red-headed woodpecker more than the pileated woodpecker, with conspicuous white in the wings. They can appear duck-like in flight. Audubon's description of their flight is considered misleading by the author. They are not typically seen near the ground, though some observations contradict this. The birds are generally sedentary and nonmigratory, possibly spending their entire lives within a few miles of their hatching spot.

The vocalizations are generally described as a single note resembling a tin trumpet or clarinet, heard at a considerable distance. Hoyt noted it sounds like "Schwenk" and has limited carrying capacity. Allen and Kellogg suggest the sound can be replicated with a clarinet mouthpiece. The alarm note, "kent," can be recognized at significant distances when amplified. They are not as vocal as Audubon suggested, often being quiet for long periods. The "kent" note is given when alarmed, with the female's being weaker. They also have low conversational notes, but do not produce tatoos like other woodpeckers.

Distribution and Conservation

The range is the Southeastern United States, with the species being nonmigratory. Modern distribution is restricted to a few remote areas, chiefly in Louisiana. Historical range extended north to northeastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina, and east along the coast to Florida, extending westward along the Gulf coast to Texas. Egg dates are provided for Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas.

Concerns for conservation are high, with theories for scarcity including habitat destruction, commercialization, collectors, shooting for food, and predation. Inbreeding and lack of sex rhythm are also suggested. The National Association of Audubon Societies supports research to aid preservation.

The "Blond" Eskimos

This section, authored by Vilhjalmur Stefansson, explores the mystery of the "Blond" Eskimos, a group of people in the Arctic with fair complexions, puzzling early explorers.

Origins and Theories

Stefansson notes that if they are pure-blood natives, their fair complexion is unusual. Theories suggest they might be a genetic 'sport,' descendants of lost explorers, or a result of intermarriage with Europeans. A significant theory posits their descent from the lost Norse Christian colony that disappeared from Greenland about four hundred years ago.

Historical Accounts

Popular interest in the "Blond" Eskimos began in 1912. The article traces historical accounts, starting with Eric the Red and the Greenland colony established around 986 AD. The colony thrived for centuries, with voyages to North America, until it declined and became a dependency of Norway. It is suggested that intermarriage with Eskimos may have occurred.

Early accounts of fair-complexioned people in the North include Cesare de Rochefort's 1658 description of two types of people encountered by Captain Nicolas Tunes in Baffin Island: one tall and fair, the other shorter and olive-complexioned. The fair type is hypothesized to be mixed-blood descendants of Europeans and Eskimos.

Later, Sir John Franklin encountered an old Eskimo man in Coronation Gulf whose countenance was oval with a prominent nose, fresh and red complexion, and a longer beard than usual for an aborigine, differing from the typical Chinese or Indian appearance. This description is contrasted with the expected appearance of an ordinary Eskimo.

Further accounts from P. W. Dease and Thomas Simpson in 1838 near Bloody Fall describe a people with a fair complexion, possibly descendants of the Tunes people or Norse Greenlanders.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed scientific observation and documentation of natural phenomena (specifically the Ivory-billed Woodpecker) and the investigation of anthropological mysteries (the "Blond" Eskimos). The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough research, presenting multiple theories and historical accounts, and emphasizing the need for conservation and understanding of these subjects. The publication seems dedicated to exploring unusual or lesser-known aspects of the natural world and human history.

This issue of the North American BioFortean Review, identified by its page number 41-45, delves into the historical and scientific investigation of the phenomenon known as the 'Blond Eskimos.' The content focuses on various expeditions, observations, and scholarly debates surrounding the physical characteristics, particularly lighter complexions and hair color, of certain indigenous populations in the Arctic.

Historical Accounts of 'Blond Eskimos'

The article begins by referencing early observations by Simpson, who described an Eskimo man with a brown beard and a countenance that could have been noble, noting that the men were "quite equal to Europeans in stature, broad-chested and full-fleshed." Simpson contrasted the "slender, agile figure" of his Indian companions with the "square rugged forms" of these natives, suggesting a mix of "nomadic Tartar and the sea-roving Scandinavian."

In 1851, Captain Collinson, while wintering in Walker Bay, Victoria Island, was the first white man to visit a locality known for a high percentage of "blondness." Collinson did not describe them as Scandinavian but thought some looked like Jews. The author notes that while a typical Jew is lighter than a Scandinavian, they are still very light compared to a Chinaman, suggesting a potential overlap in perception.

The narrative then shifts to Captain George Comer, an ethnologist and collaborator with Professor Franz Boas. Comer reported that whalers wintering on Hudson Bay knew of "White Natives" west of King William Island. He initially speculated that these individuals might be descendants of the lost Sir John Franklin expedition, which was wrecked in 1847. However, after further study, Comer concluded that the "blondness" could not be connected to Franklin or any other known explorer, as the percentage was too high.

Comer also recounted a personal experience where a party from west of King William Island visited his winter quarters on Hudson Bay, exhibiting a "greater Europeanlike appearance" than Hudson Bay natives, despite extensive blood mixture with white men.

Expeditions and Investigations

The author recounts hearing about the "Blond" Eskimos in the summer of 1906 at Herschel Island. The disappearance of Captain Charles Klinkenberg's ship, the Olga, and its subsequent reappearance with a story of discovering a "new race" is detailed. The crew reported encountering people in western Victoria Island who were partly typical Eskimos and partly looked like Europeans dressed in Eskimo clothing, using copper weapons and stone cooking pots. They were described as the cleanest and finest natives seen, with no evidence of recent contact with Europeans since the Franklin Search expeditions of 1850-1851.

Captain William Mogg confirmed Klinkenberg's report in 1907-1908. The author, on his second expedition, reached Coronation Gulf and western Victoria Island, where he lived among the "Blond" Eskimos for a year.

Controversy and Misreporting

The author states that popular interest in the "Blond" Eskimos focused on their complexions. In September 1912, upon returning to Seattle, he told reporters that out of a thousand people in the Victoria and Coronation districts, he had seen ten or more with light eyes and many who did not look like full-blood Eskimos. This statement was widely misquoted, leading to claims that he had discovered a "thousand people all of whom were blond." This exaggeration formed the basis of the "Blond" Eskimo controversy.

To counter these claims, the author published a statement in Harper's Weekly in 1912, pointing to earlier reports by Franklin and others. However, the sensational nature of the "Blond" Eskimo story persisted.

Scholarly Perspectives and Theories

The article discusses the contributions of various scholars and explorers:

• Captain Roald Amundsen: His book, "The Blond Eskimos," suggested that the phenomenon was due to intermarriage with British and Scandinavian explorers and traders over centuries, a view the author disputes, noting Amundsen never visited the specific regions in question.
• Diamond Jenness: An anthropologist, Jenness suggested the "blondness" was less pronounced than reported and could be biological. He attributed blue or gray eyes to snow-blindness or eye disease and dismissed the possibility of blood connection with European visitors since Columbus or the lost Greenland colony. He proposed a biological explanation, aligning with the author's "second choice of solutions."
• Knud Rasmussen: A Danish explorer, Rasmussen also touched upon the "Blond" Eskimos, noting individuals with reddish hair and a "blond type." He credited Klinkenberg and the author for bringing attention to the subject and favored a biological theory, though he disagreed with Jenness on the cause of eye color and the extent of "blondness."

Rasmussen concluded that the "Blond" Eskimo types were due to "purely biological reasons which are strictly accidental and for which no rule can be formulated."

Author's Stance and Conclusion

The author expresses disagreement with all the presented theories to some extent. He agrees with Jenness and Rasmussen that there was no mixing with whites as asserted by Amundsen. He agrees with Rasmussen on the amount of "blondness" but disagrees with Jenness's assessment of its extent. He also disagrees with Jenness's explanation for blue or gray eyes and with Rasmussen's preference for a biological explanation over a historical one.

The author's first choice of theory remains that the "blondness" is due to white blood from Greenland during the Middle Ages, but he acknowledges it is not a proved theory and calls for more scientific study, fearing that contact with civilization could lead to epidemics that might wipe out these populations before the mystery can be fully solved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical mystery of the "Blond Eskimos," the challenges of accurate reporting and scientific investigation in remote regions, and the interplay between anecdotal observations, explorer accounts, and scientific analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the need for rigorous evidence and caution against sensationalism, while acknowledging the potential loss of unique populations and their genetic heritage due to increasing contact with modern civilization.