The Indianapolis journal., 1884-10-29
A STORY OF CAPTIVITY.
Sufferings of the Crew of the Steamship
Nisero in the Island of Sumatra.
Rail-


Nisero in the Island of Sumatra.
Baltimore Special.
Foreign dispatches have conveyed but bare
idea of the sutferings and torments of the crew
of the steamship Nisero who We're captured by
the Rajah of Tenom, when their vessel was
wrecked a year ago on the northwest coast OF
Sumatra. Captain Z. l.. Moore. of the steam
ship Lero, now in this port, has received letter
from his cousin, Leonard Kingsley Moore, the
second officer of the i'll fated Nisero. Mr.. Moore
was the only American citizen of the crew. he
belongs at Steuben, Washington county, Me All
of the crew have been released from captivity
but him. The United States war steamer Juui-
alta has been ordered to the coast of Sumatra to
procure his release. The letter is dated Aug 28,
1884. from the British camp of tine captive crew
in the interior of Sumatra. 1t was hrst sent to
CAPTAIN Woodhouse, of Sunderland, England,
who forwarded it to Captain Moore The writer
says:
After the 10Th of last December the Rajah
refused to provide us with food. The British
consul at Rggao kept telling US by letter to keep
up our spirits, when we were nearly starving.
The Raiah also received letters from the Dutch
authorities stating that if he did not deliver
up in a few days time they would lombard
TenOm and fire the whole coast. The 4th of
January [ wrote a letter to the commander of
of her Majesty's ships, which was then lying
at the entrance to Teuom rivei. requesting him
to try and forward some provisions and medi-
cines, but l received no reply, and at an early
hour the following morning received orders
to march Immediately for the interior, although
many of our number We're very sick After
long aud tedious march in the hot sun. through
thick jungle, arrived at our place of destina-
tion late in the evening.
''Fhe morning of the 7th of January we were
surprised to hear the booming of cannon which
told us the hombardment had commenced The
following morning we could plainly hear the
sharp shooting of both rifle and Gatling gun. and
while they were blazing away within few hun
dred yards of our camp we were marched far
away over the hills. We arrived at
place of destination very late at night, feeling
very lame and weak for want of proper food.
During this time we We're living on dried rice
and salt
again. on the 11th of January, we were
marched still further into the interior. After
| marching all day hills, through jungles
| and across rivers, we came to a stop late IN the
evening great marsh, where We remained
| all night without shelter and without food The
! following day we were moved to the hills, where
we found the remains of old camp, with a
| portion of the roof then standing, bnt without
| sides or ends This place intended for our
house. From January to 81 We remained
| there while many of our numbers were lying
| ill. without medicines and without food. We
| were obliged to live what we cond get
sometimes small quantity of dirty dried rice
with very little salt, but oftentimes We We're
Obliged to 60 without.
| ri &''Next they marched US for two days through a
| thick Jungle Two of our fellows tried to eS-
cape. but they were brought back in two days.
covered with wounds and nearly starved. March
% we were moved to a small island Three OF
the men had previously been put in irons and
not allowed food water for fifteen hours. Dur
ing May four men died from privation. two of
them also having been afflicted with May chol-
era-a terrible disease"
In conclusion the letter says:
II never heard tell of case equal 10 ours
before. Here we are, shpwreeked crew, hav-
ing been detained here within a few miles of
civilization for a period of ten months. and
during that time two of the most powerful ma
tions of the world have been trying to effect
our release and as yet have not been successful.
What are they doing2 or will England ever sue
ceed in delivering US from this awful pacei
Who would in this advanced age believe that
such case could occur within q few miles of
civilization And for a race. rasher a tribe of
barefooted and bareheaded, unciyilized speci-
mems of humanity to defy two whole nations
OF course you will know that ours is a hard and
difficult case, although believe that all is being
done that could be done for our release. When
ever we attempt to escape We are brought back
at the point of the bayonet. The Rajah of
Tenom seems to appear perfectly sure of his
position He makes this island his stronghold.
and his camp is not more than hundred yards
from the one in which we now live He keeps
himself we'll armed, and does not intend to be
taken alive"