Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-02-28
THE MASSACRE OLE SPIRITS.

More than forty years ago some cir
cumstances occurred at Port Royal, i'll
Jamaica, which at the time made great
noise i'll the civil as well rs the military
circles of the place, and which ended
tragically for some of the parties con-
eerned. 1t was only recently that | be-
came acquainted with the full details
of the affair from the recital of one who
was Mt the time an inhabitant of the
island, although not mixed up in what
took place, and who had the story from
written documents carefully preserved
in the family. Many years before the
date OF the present story an instruction
and massacre in the island afforded, as
is too often the case, full scope for the
indulgence of personal hatred and re-
venge, cloaked under the specious pre-
tense of patriotism and public zeal.
One of the most opuent merchants of
Port Royal, retired from business, but
occupying n situation of great public
importance, had made himself obnox-
ious TO the popular party by his
strict adherence to his duties as
citizen and magistrate. He had
one deadly enemy, neighbor as
wealthy AS himself, but whose inla-
nous and licentious character had
caused him to be entirely rejected by
the family, not only us sutton for the
hand of one of Mr.. Ms lovely
daughters, but even rs a common ac-
quaintance. Mr.. Ms house was in
the outskirts of the town. i'll the midst
of lovely gardens, and was furnished
with taste and splendor which only
tropical luxury could suggest, The
house, securely shut up and well de-
Tended, was considered so impregnable
that Mr.. M, his large family and his
numerous dependents, believed them
selves in perfect safety when the insur.
rection broke out, and never thought of
seeking safety by flight to more dis
tant spot. Their cruel enemy, however,
found means to corrupt one of the in
ferior servants, and by the aid of this
traitor obtained entrance mt midnight
for himself and well-organized band
of mlscreants, TO whom the certainty of
rich plumber would have been suf-
ticient inducement even without the
specious plea that Mr.. Nj had been
the adviser Of some harsh measures
deemed necessary by the government
to restore public order. The work Of
murder speedily began, and in spite
of the resistance offered by the whole
household, who nobly seconded their
master, the family were driven from
story to story till they could 60 no fur
ther, having reached a large room at
the top of the house, which, having no
Ia nh IF
No mercy was shown either to infancy,
beauty, or helpless old age; eyory indi-
vldual of the doomed family was mas
acred, and after securing rich booty
of jewels and plate the murderers
would have set fire to the princelv man
sion, but that body of troops came
down upon tn I'm, too late 70 save their
victims, but in time to save the house
and much Of its valuable contents from
spollation. The prime mover in this
fiendish deed, was killed in the conflict
with the military while trying to es-
cape; the house and grounds became
utterly desolate, and were summed by
all. Passcrs-by after night-fall ayerred
that shrieks Of murder and cries for help
were invariably heard proceeding up
wards from the bottom to the very top
Of the house.
Such was its condition at the OPEN
ing Of the year IS, when, the barracks
at Port Royal being full to overlooking
and at this inopportune moment fresh
troops IRVING, it was found expedient
to quarter some Of them in the town.
The haunted house, from its great size
and close vicinity to the town, was men,
toned to the general commanding as Il
suitable place, and il was settled that
large party of the newly.arriyed regi-
ment, with their officers, should be
quartered in the long-deserted mansion.
All seemed 70 90 well: the soldiers,
glad to be again safe on land, roamed
about at pleasure, and viewed with as
constituent the spacious rooms, the rich
carvings, the marble staircase, and the
halfdecaying but still magnificent fur
niturc profusely scattered about. The
officers Of the garrison, always hospi-
tably inclined, lad got ready pleasant
entertainment for the newcomers in
enc or the splendid saloons, and towards
midnight all was glee and conyiyiality.
About this time loud noise was heard
at the outer gates, which seemed al il il
were TO fy open for the entrance Of