Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-04
NUMBER 80.
Murder Of n ssionaries In the South
0ea Islindss


Sci Islands,
The mail steamer Moses Taylor, which
arrived at San Francisco from Austria
lila on the Sd Of December, brings the
following exciting news:
OH October 31st the astounding in
telligence was fecsived in Auckland,
New Zealand, of the murder III Bishop
Patterson, of the Melanesian mission,
Rev. Mr.. Atkins and native, while on
the customary cruise on the missionary
schooner eontbern Cross among the
South Sea Islands. Tho circumstances
attending the murder will best lie given
in the words of Captain Jacob, Of the
missionary schooner:
During Mr.. Atkins stay ct Wonea he
was speaking to the Captain OF the En-
ma Bell; who told him he was going to
Santa Cruz fof labor: This news made
the Bishop very uneasy, as he very
well knew that If vessel went there
mischief would result from it. be
made up his mind to 60 to the Reef
Islands and ascertain il any vessels bad
heet about. On the 18th Of Septembe,
made Santa o1usi yerx light winds.
September 20, light winds III Nukapu.
About four miles distant saw Ave Of six
canoes coming ont When within a
mile or two from the vessel they lay to.
We thought it strange they did not
come 'alonside; on former occasions
they would have boon alonaside and
have boarded us six or seven miles of
the land. The Bishop had the boat
lowered and went to them. (This was
the last we saw of him alive.) Il being
low water, the boat could not 20 over
the feet: The bishop, as it was usual
for him to do, got into = canoe and
went on shore, accompanied by the two
chiefs, Taula and Moth, the remain
ing four canoes remaining with the boat.
About the time the bishop would have
got on shore, the native in the canoes
attacked the boat, firing several arrows
at the crew before they could eets the
boat out Of shot. Mr.. Atkins was hit
ii the back of shoulder; Stephen, q
native OF Bouro, had six arrows in him
-one in his breast; John, q native of
Mota, shot in the side. The boa4 made
Tor the Bessie, and Ne got the wound.
ed out of her, Mr.. Brooks looking after
them: T immediately sent Mi. Bou-
gard (mate) xissk three Of our crew and
two black boys, Mr.. ATKINS acting "A
pilot (for none of our people knew any.
thing about the place. to seaI 1fter tie
bishop. y told them to keep outside
the reef till they were sure they had
plenty OF water to cross, then pull to-
ward the shore, and keep out Of arrow
shot, and if they saw the bishop not 70
60 IN. All this time the Bessie was be-
calmed. Shortly after the boat Left the 1
vessel breeze sprung mp, and T work
ed the vessel close to the boat. no that
her presence might intimidate the t1a-
tives from attacking the boat. We saw
the natives put of in two canoes from
shore. One of them they turned adrift:
the other went back to the shore. Pres.
emily the boat went toward the drifting
canoe, and found the dead body Of. the
bishop IN hef;; rolled up in 4 native
mat. A small branch of the cocoanut
palm, with five knots, was stack in the
mat What the palm with the knots
meant, we could not tell, he was strip
ped Of his clothes, his head frightfulfy
smashed, and several wounds in the
body. =, i
j. quite certain ths8 some vessel
has been here ill.using tho natiyel, :
very short time Previous toopr oomina..
Or they never would has killed this
bishop. Every year he seSlled 1t this
place he would give the G6i1f1 and PEG
pie presents, and remain - Aeidera-
6le part of the day on shore With