Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-03-06
WHITE CANNIBALS.
A TRUE STORY.

who personally interviewed the chief
character in my narrative, and who
not only vouch for the statements
therein, but the same will be authen-
ticated by the purser of the British
gunboaJ Ruby" and also Capt.
Chapman, who commanded the bark
'Birefy" in 1861. In the year 1860,
two sailors-an American named
Gurley and an Irishman called
O'LearY- located on one of the
groups of the Caroline Islands, gath
ering cocoanut oil to ship to Europe.
One fine morning they decided to
start for another island in the group
about four hours sail, and within their
sight, to obtain slaves to make bar
rels for their oil. They started out in
a small redwood sail boat Of ten tons
burden, taking with them axes to cut
the wood, some provisions, sufficient
to answer the purpose of a lunch, and
two Kanaka lads, about seventeen
years Of age, natives of the Island.
As the Carolina group abounds with
all kinds of tropical fruits, the men
knew it was unnecessary to carry
more pro visions. than wasIrequired for a
meal. AS above stated, the day was
a glorious one, the sea was calm and
all went well until about midway be-
twaen the islands, when a most unus-
ual occurrence took place for those
latitudes-a dense fog arose. Believ
ing they were steering in the right di-
rection they kept on with their voy-
age, but after sailing all that day and
the following night they discovered
in the morning that no land was in
sight. Frightened at the situation,
yet undismayed, a discussion ensued
between Gurley and O'Leary as to
which direction they should steer.
The former being the eldest, at length
took command, and pointed the boats
head the way he thought would lead
to land; but after twenty-four hours
sailing without success, O'Leary, who
differed with his messmate in misfor-
tune, took his turn and steered in a
different direction. Their provisions
having given out, they began to rea-
lize the awful fact that death stared
them in the face. What was to be
done? They endeavored to replenish
their larder with fish, but without
success. Water they had in abund-
ance, as in those Iatitudes it rains
continually.
Gurley, who himself told the hor-
rible tale to Mr.. Croft, said: "After
being six days at sea, without food,
one Of the Kanaka boys died. Hunger
drove us to desperation. God forgive
me, [ cut off his head, threw it into
the sea, and after dividing the body
into different portions, picked it with
salt water in barrel. Ny comrade,
O'Leary, the remaining native, and
myself then appeased our appetite. 1t
seemed dreadful to make a meal of
raw human flesh, but we enjoyed it,
and were thankful. I divided it out
equally, and made the body last as
long as possible. At last, after being
forty days at sea, never once sighting
q vessel, the last Of the corpse was con-
suned. ''Then," continued Gurley,
"the other Kanaka lad died; poor fell
low, he suffered the fate of his COM
panion, and we received another lease
of life. Time went on we had got ac-
custOmed to our vampire diet, and
even looked ateach other with hungry
eyes. Jealous and fearful of one an
other we agreed to both be present at
the distribution of the CHASTITY meal,
after which, as we gnawed the flesh
like dogs or cannibals, that we were,
from off the bones, we would gaze sui
lenly y lntO the ocean, or occasionally
break out into the ferociOus anger of
desperation, upbraiding one another
for ever starting out on an expedition
which we both had little thought
would lead to such frightfuI conse-
quences.
''On the sixtieth day out we were
suddenly aroused from our almost dor
mant condition by sighting sail,
which by the colors we knew to be
French brig. Our flag being always
at half-mast "a signal Of Distress, re-
newed hope was stirred within us,
when we preceived that the French
man had not only sighted us but was
bearing down to US to see what was
be described, intense joy lighted up
our emaciated countenances, and If
we ever offered up a sincere prayer Of
thankfulness to the Almighty, it was
at that moment. When within hail
ing distance, we heard voice III
French, speaking to US through
trumpet; then some figures were drawn
on blackboard, probably the longi
tude and latitude of our position, and
then to our horror and dismay, the
brig proceeded on its voyage, leaving
Us to our fate.
"Oh, God" continued Gurley, that
was an awful moment. Cries of dis
pair and bitter imprecation fell from
our lips, curses followed our prayers,
and we sunk exhausted on the deck of
our little boat. To make long story
short, the human flesh soon began to
diminish, the food was dealt out IN
smaller portions, and we at length be-
gan TO be afraid Of each other. Know
ing that if something was not done,
one of us would surely fall a victim
to the other, we had a consultation
and decided to nail the bunk or sleep
ing apartment up with boards SO that
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