Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-11
MUIINY AND MURDER

IN "A COLONY ON THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN
| WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-CJmmanGer Rod
gers reports from Sandy Point, Straits OF
! Magellan. that on November IL he was bail
ed by steamer having on board Capt Will
son, OF the German steamer Memphis, vino
stated that the English vice-cOnsul boarded
him and warned him that mutiny of the
entire garrison had broken out at Sandy
Point. the cOnyict' liberated and
| outrageS were being committed.
| Nevertheless. Capt. Wilson proceeded
there. Upon approaching. he was
boarded by q boat containing the captain of
the port in irons. Three mutineers (soldiers),
two eonvlets and three 1thers-One govern
ment official. Wilson disarmed the soldiers
and took all the occupants OF board. While
hosting the boat the Memphis was fred at
several times from the shore by the mutt
neers who were in possession of all the
artillery OF the pos. The Memphis then
proceeded with all despatch toward Monte
yidio In doing 50 they fell in with the
vessel. Wilson requested Rogers to take the
people from Sandy Point on board that they
might return. lie did 50. He placed the
soldiers and cOnvicts under guard and
then discovered from the captain OF the
port that he with the mu:ineers had been
sent to bring the Memphis into anchorage
under penalty OF being shot, with the re-
suit above stated. The plan of the mutt
neers was to take possession of the Memphis
and go off in her, or take the PaciGj CON
pays steamer then about due from Valpa-
raise. Rodgers quickly got under way Tor
Sandy Point, but was detained by n gale,
and on arriving found Gillian corvette
there with the governor Ofthe colony aboard.
Ii appears that about midnight Sunday,
November II, the people of the town were
alarmed by the discharge of artillery aud
firearms. The FIRST murder committed seems
to have been that OF the captain of
the company of soldiers. numbering about
one hundred, who were regular
artillery troops. They mutilated the captain
in the most horrible manner and then
opened fire with several pieces of artillery
on the governors house. directly in front Of
the barracks. Tho governor upon making
his appearance was knocked on the head
and left nsensible. He recovered and es-
capped. His family escaped almost naked to
the woods. The mutineers released the con-
yIctI and altogether numbered nearly 200
armed with Winchester and Spencer rifles
Monday. the mutineers seem to have com
united the most incredible excuses IN the
way OF wanton killing. burning and
sacklng. Tuesday. the -nutineers took
to the country with all the public
funds and much private property.
The last heard from them they mum
bered "a, and were about two days
march away on the way to Santa Cruz
As last act of destruction the mutineers
burned the best part OF the town. Rodgers
adds: Upon my arrival the streets were
strewn with the dead bodies of the killed.
thirty of whom were gathered up. The
most OF the killed were soldiers who had
bosn shooting each other unfortunately.
II is estimated that at least 80 persons were
killed. Many dead and wounded wers
burned ia the buildings The hospital was
burned with five wounded men in 1t. Since
ny arrival peaceable citizens particularly
women and children, haze been coming in
rom the mountains, The town Is now
guarded and comparatively quiet. Rod
gers, by request OF the governor, remains
OF the present.
There IL no information as to the cause
u the outbreak 1t is believed the priest CT
he culony, Who is Gn enemy OF the govern.
nent, instigated it. lie Is now prisoner
m board the Magellan.
In the destruction OF property not the least
egard was paid to nationality. \ twelve
FOUNDER shot was fired through the English
'onsul's house and tho vice-cOnsul him
elf was pursued and fired at a number OF
lines. lie. however, escaped in a boat
40 American citizens OF suhiec.s of the
inited States are here The coal mines have
lot been worked for sone time AMI no coal
5 to be had,