Alfred Kroeber, Professor Anthropology & Ishi
1911
SF Chronicle on Sept. 6: In return for his first lessons in civilization, giving his own language and the customs of his people, Ishi, lone survivor of the Southern Yahi Indian who once roamed the forests of Tehama County, is a guest at the anthropological department of the Affiliated Colleges. Professors A.L. Kroeber and T.T. Waterman, who brought him from Oroville, where he was being kept in jail for his own safety, are tutoring him. "He is without doubt the most uncontaminated aboriginal in the known world today," said Kroeber. "Even in the interior of Africa or Australia, it is doubtful if such a specimen of man could be found." The last of his people has vanished. He alone is left of the Yahi. Civilization is luring to Ishi. Until Monday he has never worn the garb of the white man. Skins of animals have been his covering when he desired warmth. At other times he preferred to roam the forests as God made him. Yesterday when photographers wished him garbed in his original costume, he refused indicating in sign language that he liked the overalls, shirt and especially the necktie, which had been given him. He is a mere child so far as knowledge of this world is concerned. A tin whistle interests him more than a locomotive. A plate of window glass is to him a strange thing. The telephone he is afraid of. He imagines it something uncanny. He seems willing to eat anything given for food and has learned to use a spoon. {sbox}
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