Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-01-27

escaped, but he preferred To obey the law.
THE LEPRR SETTLEMENT AND ITS SUR
RoUNDINGs.
The valley in which the lepers are To-
Gated ia nearly two miles and a half long
and apparently from q half mile tOa mile
and half vide. On one side il a noun.
tain range, impossible except at one
point, and there tte exit is very difficult,
having to be accomplished by the aid Of
ropes and clinging to the Branches of
trees On the other side is the forever
agitated ocean. Thus the lepers are &C.
cluded not only from the world, but from
the inhabitants occupying the other por-
tions OF Molokai. There have been a few
escapes of lepers through the passage in
dicated, but it has always been wonder
how they could manage to escape by 50
steep, precipitous and dangerous an open
ing. When captured they are returned,
but no penalty is inflicted upon them.
There is an abundance of fresh wa
ter on the east side of the valley,
large water-pipe furnishing sup
ply iar the hospital and for other
purposes. The valleyis ofvolcanic origin.
One Of the extinct craters is about n
half mile in diameter, and one hundred
and fifty feet deep. The middle Of the
crater is a beautiful little like, emerald
in its hue. The water is reported to be
as salt as the sea, and contains two or
three kinds of fish. The natives gay the
lake is unfathomable, and that it is fed
from the sea. Glancing at the valley as
whole, it is most admirably fitted for
the purpose to which it is allotted. The
climate is genial, and if at times warm
in summer, the nights are deliciously
cool. In all the Hawaiian islands there
is not another location 80 perfect for a
leper settlement as this.
HOW THE LEpETs LIVE AND FIND ANlUsE-
MENTl
The denizens Of the leper settlement
manage to enjoy themselves in many
ways. They have their balls and par
ties, at which they trip the light fantas-
tic toe, both in native and European
style. There are two hundred and sew
enty-seyen houses in the valley, mostly
built by the government, for their com
fort. There are two Roman Catholic
chapels, and one Catholic church; also
two school houses, where the young are
educated, Many Of the lepers who are
able to work have taro patches, where
they plant taro and thus secure supply
Of fresh poi, delicacy dear 10 the ma
tive palate, They nearly all own horses
which they at times drive at a furious
rate. The average kon0ka, no matter
where you find him, is sure to ride bis
horse to death some day or another, and
the women in this respect are the same as
the men. But this is one Of their great
enjoyments, and they will indHlge in it
even amongst the lepers. When not
horseback riding, planting taro or other
wise engaged the lepers do a little legit-
innate loafng around "the country
store, " where they barter and trade or
keep inquiring for letters whenever a
vessel touches at kalaupapa, the only
landing at the settlement. No vessels
are permitted to touch there except on
special business with the lepers. When
ever vessel touches it Is a kind Of hOli-
day for all the natives who oare able toridc
down to the landing. When foreigners
arrive the natives are sure to reap good
harvest, because, though they charge
nothing for the use of their horses. it is
the custom to pay the owners whatever
you see fl for this kindness. Some oG
the natives manage to accumulate n
little money by trading and speculation.