The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-07-24
Colonization in south America.

Piper's attempts at colonization in the
wilds of central South America, and OF
the massacre of the eolonists by the In
dams, are given by correspondent
writing from Brazil
In 1870 Mr.. Piper secured from the
Bolivian government tho privilege TO
prosecute his explorations up the river
Purus, and in consideration of the good
to accrue from It being. opened TO the
world, special privileges, commercial
and honorary were deoreed to him. To
fulfill his obligations he purchased a
vessel. and, equipping her, sailed from
Boston, November 13, 1870, taking with
him his wife, woman fully imbued
with the faith and spirit of her husband,
and a company of twenty-five persons,
as assistants aud colonists. After a
stormy passage of thirty days, they ar
rived at this port, December I2, 1870.
Perfecting his arrangements here, he
sailed for Mano on the Amazon. Ar
irving there, he remained until March
60, when, having disposed of his vessel,
he transhipped his company and effects,
and sailed in the steamer Araman f"
for Itichie, and arrived there early in
April. BY arrangement with the Boil
vian government, twenty canoes were to
be in readiness to take himself and par
ty upward on their journey, but, to the
discontinue of his people, not canoe
was to be seen, and no arrangement for
his comfort made. In addition, the in
habitants urged them strongly to desist
from farther advance, IN this, to the
white man, terra ineognita Influenced
by the dissppointments, and intimidated
by the highly-colored reports of the ma
tives of the danger ahead, his people
determined to abandon the enterprise,
and then and there aft him to prose-
cute it alone. they returning to Para.
Nothing daunted, and firm in his deter
mination to :" do or die, he set sail in
q common ships boat, accompanied only
by his wife. Three days after leaving
Itichie they came up with a hotilla Of
Indian canoes, and found them peace
able and friendly, and succeeded finally
in securing a boats crew. With these
Indians, the Pamaries, they travelled
one month, until they arrived at the
Powinim river. Mr.. Piper occupied
himself, during the journey, IN making
soundings and charts of the river, and
Mrs. Piper acquired knowledge of the
language. They were now 500 miles
from the mouth of the river, and COM
ing into & new country, their Indians
fearful of passing beyond their own ter
ritOry, left them and returned to their
own homes. They were thus left alone
again. The same day, however, some
of the Hipuana Indians coming down,
Mr.. Piper secured their friendship and
assistance, and again succeeded in Sc
curing boats crew, and was by them
taken up into Bolivia. Their chief, Co
oannanni, accompanied them with twen-
ty canoes for four days on their journey.
They were the first white people ever
seen in the country, and their white
skins, blue eyes and brown hair excited
to the highest point the surprise and
curiosity of the natives. To satisfy
themselves. that this white color was
not paint, they brought vessels Of wa
ter and washed their feet.
Arriving at the river Aocurie, in Bo-
livian territory, they went on shore, and
Mr.. Piper built, by the aid of the In
dians, house, in which he remained
until the next year. During this time
he occupied himself IN surveying the
river and taking soundingsst all stages.
Having satisfied himself Of the richness
of the country, aud the practicability
of steam navigation, he returned TO
Para in 1872. He remained here ar
ranging for a steamer and a new com
pany of colonists, and on the 7th OF
September sailed in hls own steamer,
the Pioneer, and in December reached
the last settlement ia the Paras, and we
might add, the terminus of civilization
and steam navigation on that river.
Here Mr.. Piper left the heaviest portion
of his equipments, stores, etc, and
sailed on the oath Of December up the
river, with the intention Of establishing
settlements in Bolivian territory, and
the company, aided by the Indians,
we're to commence opening roads into
| the interior of the country. Meanwhile
| the steamer was 10 make monthly trips
from Hitiana 70 the settlement of the
lower river, having regular steam com.
munication with ManaOs and Para.
Thus far the programme seemed praeti
cable and no extraordinary risk was
supposed 10 exist in the execution oi
this Iaudable industry. The steamer
was expected at Hytaunian on her re
turn trip about the 23d Of February
/ 1879. Up to April We entertained M
fears Of their safety. The April steamel
from that locality brought The repor
that the half-Wild Indians had beeI
seen in clothing which they could no
well obtain by Legitimate means, ane
fears we're for the first time entertainss
for the safety Of Mr.. Piper and his par
ty. Later on we received news that In
dians had come down the river ststinl
that Mr.. Piper and his party bad beei
murdered by the Ipurane Indians, thei
effects carried OF and the steamer sunk
The "Sudelegado" Of the dislrio
CAfanaos) had these and other Indian
lately armed, arrested and an investiga
ton made, which went 10 show that IA
steamer had been attacked near Ia
mouth Of the Acre river, within tire
days Of civilization. By great numbe
Of Indians, while fast 70 the bank Of Ga
river. The people on beard Weg
butehered, and the steamer vas carrie
OF to 3 lake at some ditance, where
is still supposed 10 remain. There a
many ether versions Of the case, q
conflicting with each other and onl
corresponding in the assertion Of Il
sorrcWful fact
HEwho follows truth carries his 50
in his brain.