National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-05
A HORRIBLE VOYAGE.
Terrible Experience OF Preacher In
n Chinese Hold in mid-OceSn.

Syracuse sadnddnt.
= Row. #. r. Clark, who circumnsvigated
tho globe with staff and knapsack, told
m audience filling tho Brown Memorial
church last night how he crossed the
Pacific ocean. On arrival at japan his
scanty supply of money was so depleted
that lie was Obliged TO ship for San Fran.
cisco on Pacific mail steamer as steer.
age passenger. With him in dungeon
below were several hundred Chinese inn
migrants. Thoy looked upon the intrepid
preacher with wonder AZ he picked out q
bunk In the dark rocosses of the ships
hold. This was tho beginning Of nm ex-
porienoo which few men would have
survived. Only nature as desperately
courageous as that OF an American trav-
olor could have encountered the subse-
uuont hardship3 and privations without
breaking. The voyage was extremely
rough, for days and days the vessel be-
ing at tho mercy of the elements as she
tossed in the tempest of tho billowy deep.
As a matter Of safety 10 became necessary
TO iaston the matches over tho stoerago.
Mr.. Clark thus became prisoner in tho
bowels Of the ship. a prionor In pit
rocking with the filth Of small army.
Tho noisomo character Of tho horrible
durable by the shocking habits Of the ORR
entails aud tho continuance of their con :
1nement. Sca+sickness was generally
prevalent among them. This alone would
havo containated the dir beyond a posi-
bility of healthfulnoss. What was worse,
type of varioloid broke out among the
heathon. who suffered tho fortunes of the
damned in tho agonies of the disease.
There was no relief whatever, tho officers
Of tho ship ooeming powerlcss to better
the condition of things
Aware of tho danger 10 which he was
| exposed, Mr.. Clark applied 10 DO romov cd
TO another part of the vessel. offering as
security for tho ultimate payment Of his
passage more than its value In n gold
watch and chain, and collection of Curl
ositios and trinkots picked up during the
tour. Seven dollars was the extent Of his
ready money. The officers Of tho ship,
however, refused to allow him to come
forth on any consideration. lie begged,
prayed, pleaded for his release from the
horrors of his situation. There was, how.
over no hope of escape. The storm ragged
unabated in the sea. Darkness reigned
bolow-tho overpowering oppressivcncs.
of tho place being broken in upon By the
shrioks of the agonized passengers, which
never ceased by day or night. He'll could
not be crowded with scenes more horrible
Que of the poor fellows lay dying in hit
bunk near Mr.. Clark for several days
The tortures he lived through wore pitt
full. No attention was paid to him by hi
follows, who we're either too stupid with
opium or too sick themselves TO car,
for their best friend. One morning
Mr.. Clark found tho unfortunnt,
heather dangling out of his berth {
corpse, his Dyes staring in semi-darknes'
with d fearful agony, showing what hi
end must have been. Word was got T.
the deck of his death. Three or foui
hulking soamcu came below to remove
tho body. IL was pulled down by tn
hair of tho head, falling 10 tho deiilc,
floor with thud. IL was preserved In
: refrigerator until land was reached. Tn
steamship company. under tho contrac
allowing it TO land in oriental port.
guarantees burial OH land to all Chimes,
Owing to the fact being noised abou
, that an American was in tho steerage
enough Of q protest was raised among tn
passengers to have Mr.. Clark brought W
! He had been in the chamber of horror
three days. Another day would hav
resulted in death. 1t was several day;
, before he was eblo to stand upon his legs
, A compassionate passenger consented /
take Mr., Clark into his berth OF the cos
of forfeiting his own right to go into til
saloon. Tho prevalence Of varioloid Il
the hold nccossitatod this precautior
Tho remainder Of tho voyage was mad
< with more comfort.