Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-04-16
Another Massacre at the Solomon Islands.

Another life has been sacrificed in the
South Sea Island trade. On the 10Th of
February ut $50 P. NJ, the Leslie anchored
in II fathoms, on a ledge of reef, Off Cape
Marsh, about 100 yards from shore. The
chief, who was Captain Schwnrtz's paid
trader came off, and when asked for the
cobra in return for the trade which had
been given, he cody said he had none, and
that no had lost the trade. Capt. Schwartz
then had the boat lowered and manned by
six boys, two of whom could speak English,
and left in her, saying he would endeavor
to recover some of the trade, and bring off
some fish. The vessels crew in the mean
time were employed shifting Sails and at
5.l5 p NJ. they saw the boat returning
without the Captain, and containing only
five of the crew. simultaneously the natives
were observed mastering on shore in
hundreds, and they engaged in hostile de.
monstrations, such as firing off guns,
several shots from which passed over the
vessel. The crew got up their arms and
returned the fire, when the tribe vanished
into the shrub. The native crew Immediately
on reaching the Leslie reported that Capt.
Schwartz had been killed; and as there
was no possibility of recovering the body
the vessel got underway, and was towed
from the place by the boats, it being calm
at the time. The native crew remained be.
low while the firing was going on, and it
continued up to $50 P. NJ, when the vessel
got clear of the place. The hostile natives
had such q supply of rifles and ammuni-
tion that the LeSSie's party could not APP
parenty have successfully fought them.
The mate called all hands aft, and after
consultation it was decided to proceed to
Sydney. From the statement of the boats
crew, it appears that after Captain Schwartz
left the schooner, in company with the
canoe, they pulled up at an inlet for about
mile, and then landed at tho traders
village. Captain Schwartz and the missing
Savo boy went on shore, and were soon
surrounded by natives, who, as usual, had
their tomahawks with them. The Captain
expostulated with them regarding their not
giving up his trade. The chief took mat
tiers very quietly, but made no sign of Civ
ing up anything. The Captain then sat
down upon n log on the beach, and four of
the tribe remained hard by, and four others
were in hut. These appear to be the only
ones concerned in the murder. A native,
who was in the rear of the Captain, dealt
him heavy blow on the head with a toma-
hawk; Captain Schwartz threw his hands
up and went forward then the murderer
quickly removed his hat, apparently to
prevent destroying it, and then dealt him
more blows-one on each side of the head,
and one on the back. The other natives
then sprang upon the apparently dead body,
seized it hand and foot, and further mutt
lated it, while some of their number made
for the ships boat, which all the crew had
regained excepting one, who had belonged
to the place, and did not attempt to leave.
The boat pushed off only Just in time, as
one Of the savages plunged into the water
to his waist to seize the steer-oar: but miss
ing his grasp, he returned, and, with other
natives, manned canoe, and chase for
life followed. The canoe got close upon
the boat, when the Captains boy, who was
steering, levelled an empty musket at tho
pursuers. They thereupon fell back panic
stricken, and followed no further. One rifle
shot only was fired at the boat, when the
savages again turned their attention to the
body of their victim, placed it in a canoe,
aud hurried off with it across the inlet
Er,