The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-22
INJURED IN A BAsTI1E.
The Unpleasant Experience of DIR. II. D. Har-
per, Formerly of this City.

Rev. R.. D.. Harper. formerly pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church here, but now Of
Philadelphia, and his wife, who have recently
returned from a European tour, while in Naples
were subjected to what is characterized as a
gross outrage by the italian authorities. On the
pretense of placing them in quarantine, the min
lister and wife and several others were thrown
into "A nOisome dungeon and forciOly detained
there, surrounded by criminals. DR.. Harper has
given the following account of the outrage to a
Philadelphia reporter:
"My wife and myself, in company with eleven
others-ten gentlemen and one lady-were re-
turning from Alexandria to Marseilles on one
of the regular steamers which touch at Naples.
When we reached the latter port the captain ana
our party were surprised to learn that we should
he required to lay in quarantine twenty-four
hours. The captain expostulated with the gov
eminent official who came on board, represent
ing TO him that Alexandria, whence we came,
was free from contagious diseases. He only
shrugged his shoulders and ordered us INTO
small boats, in which we were rowed through a
heavy sea to the island of Nisida, which
is used by the Italian authorities as a
prison island, and upon which are quilt the
prisons where the prisoners of state are confined.
When all were landed we were conducted
through a massive stone entrance to an old fort
ress that was used as a prison, and after tTevers-
ing a long dark passage-way anu up a winding
flight of stone steps we found ourselves IN a dark
and damp corridor, on each side OF whlch were
rows OF cells. My wife and | were confined in a
damp and dismal cell, which was oppressive and
sitting. The walls were of solid masonry, wet
from top to bottom, and the floor was of cement.
The only article of furniture in the cell was a
bed, upon which was thrown n husk mattress.
We were also provided with two tin plates ami a
wash-basin. We all commenced to feel the pangs
of hunger, and when we made known our wants
we were served with a small allowance of bread.
Fortunately w were allowed to purchase some
eggs, and with these vIands we endeaVored TO
satisfy orr appetite.
1.-The sanitary arrangements" continued Mr..
Harper, "were of the worst possible nature, and
the ladies of the party suffered very much. At
ter we were confined about an hour an officer
approached the door of my cell and told me that
n mar wanted to see me down IN the corridor.
IL proved to be a representative OF Cooks Tour
ist Agency, to which 1 wrote a note, After pass
ing a wretched night we were released and sent
by boat to Naples, where we found carriages
awaiting us. Our astonishment may be better
imagined than described when we were presented
with q bill which. in United States money, was
equivalent to %8. We were charged So for board,
So for carriage hire and 81 for the transportation
of our baggage. Since my return home l have
received a letter from Mr., Aston, the American
minister at Rome, who promises to have the af-
fair investigated, and l have no doubt the Italian
government will be compelled to ex platn the out
rage"