Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-20
CHATHAM ISLES KING.
Odd People Found on the Islands Of thu
South Pacific Ocean.


Odd People Found on the Islands of the
South Pacific Ocean.
Prof Lee, of Bowdoin College, who
accompanied the Albatross expedition
as naturalist. has returned East. The
professor left the ship at San Francisco.
He is engaged at Washington in ar
ranging the specimens collected on the
voyage for exhibition in the National
Museum. The professor thus describes
some of the experiences of the Alba
tross party in the South Pacific:
On the largest of the Galapagos
Islands they found curious colony.
1.-The island is between six and seven
hundred miles from the mainland Of
Ecuador" said Prof. Lee. ''almost I'M
der the equator" 1t is walled in with
high volcanic rocks, and very difficult
of access. Years ago the Ecuador Gov
eminent planted convict colony on
one of the islands, but the convicts re-
VOTED, killed the Governor, and made
their escape on a schooner. For long
time afterwards the islands were unin-
habited, and all of them are so to-day
except Chatham, where We landed. Be-
hind the walls of rock we found fertile
country in high state of cultivation.
About one hundred and fifty per-
sons make their home there and are
governed by a shrewd and progressive
man of the Spanish race. named Cobos.
He makes no claim to sovereignty, but
his control seems as absolute as that Of
the Gar. His subjects are convicts
from Ecuador. Years ago, it appears,
he was engaged in gathering orchilla,
the manufacture of dyes. He got rich
at this business, but lost his fortune
through some transaction with the Gov
eminent of Ecuador. Possibly using
this as an argument, he asked for
and was granted this island of Chatham,
the condition being that he should re-
ceive and care for the convicts sent
thither from the mainland. This was
perhaps ten or twelve years ago.
The colony has now little world
by hundreds of miles of ocean. Only
now and then, at long intervals, has
any vessel landed there, except the
schooners owned by Governor Cobos,
and the inhabitants have, therefore, no
means of escape These people do not
share their rulers progressiveness.
They are an odd and rather unpre-
possessing lot. Most of them are ma
tives of Ecuador, and some probably
half Indian. The Governor told me he
had one full-blooded British subject,
and asked if we would like to see him.
He gratified our curiosity with a
glimpse of the blacklist negro l ever
saw. The fellow spoke English, and
insisted that he was an Englishman;
but when / asked him where he was
born, he answered. AT st. Helena.
The Governor is the only person on
the island who knows any thing OF the
world. He has travelled somewhat.
can speak English after a fashion, and
contrives to keep up within about six
months of the times. In conversation
he showed pretty clear knowledge OF
affairs in Europe and America. He
was especially interested in politics OF
the Old World, and seemed to under
stand the relations of the great powers,
the conditions which might bring about
war, and the result to be expected
if one came. Although a monarch in all
essential respects, this man acknowl-
edges his dependence upon the Govern
ment of Ecuador; but he rules his SUBJ
jects as he pleases, and perhaps some
what tyrannically, for there are con-
spiracies constantly on foot against his
life, and he has to maintain miniature
standing army. The currency of the
island is made of sheet lead, with the
value, the name of the Governor, and
the name of the island stamped on each
coin.
Seven prisoners of State were in
durance while we were on the island,
under charge of having plotted to take
the Governors life during a recent
festival, and to set up new govern
ment. What punishment they were to
receive was not very definitely settled
but Cobos intimated that he should ban
ish them to one of the other and desert
islands at a distance. where they
would be furnished with little food
for temporary use and a few tools and
left to shift for themselves.
THE land in Chatham is under cul-
tivation. Sugar-cane is raised, and
rum made of it. Fruits. hides mats.
orchilla, and other products are shipped
in considerable quantities to Guayaquil.
Another curious experience of ours
was when we visited Charles Island.
The island was well stocked with pigs,
cattle, donkeys and horses, but we were
informed that no human being lived
there. Imagine our establishment
therefore, when, on proceeding inland,
we suddenly came upon a man with a
pig on his back! Both parties. indeed,
were startled-the man as well as our
selves. Neither had expected to meet
the other. This Crusoe was nearly
naked; his beard and hair had grown
to great length, and his eye had fe-