The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-12-22
CHATHAM ISLES KING.


dS IL utJuTdlloJ, HAS Ttburucu ISdSJ. IuS
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. heprofessor thus describes
some of the experiences Of the Alba
tross party in the South Pacific:
On the largest of the Galapagos
Islands they found q curious colony.
"The island is between six and seven
hundred miles from the mainland Of
Ecuador" said Prof. Lee, "almost un-
der the equator" 1t is walled in with
high volcanic rocks, and very difficult
of access. Years ago the Ecuador Gov
ernment planted a convict colony on
one of the islands, but the convicts re-
volted, killed the Governor, and made
their escape on schooner. For a 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 u 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.
a kind of moss which is valuable for
the manufacture of dyes. He got rich
at this business, but lost his fortune
through some transaction with the Gov
ernment 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
of its own, cut off from civilization
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
and asked if we would like to see him
He gratified our curiosity with Is
glimpse of the blackest negro | ever
saw. The fellow spoke English, and
insisted that he was an Englishman;
but when l 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 fashion, and
contrives to keep up within about six
months of the times. In conversation
he showed n 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
a war, and the result TO be expected
if one came. Although 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 COLI
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 We're in
lurance while we were on the island,
under charge of having plotted to take
the Governors life during n recent
festival. and to set up new govern
nent. What punishment they were to
receive was not very definitely settled
Dut Cobos intimated that he should ban
sh them to one of the other and desert
Stands at II distance, where they
would be furnished with little food
or temporary use and few tools and
eft to shift for themselves.
THE land in Chatham is under cul-
ivation. Sugar-cane is raised, and
'um made of it. Fruits, hides mats.
,rchilla, and other products are shipped
n considerable quantities to Guayaquil.
Another curious experience of ours
vas when we visited Charles Island.
The island was well stocked with pigs.
,attle. donkeys and horses, but we were
that no human being lived
here. Imagine our astonishment
therefore,, when, on proceeding inland.
We suddenly came upon man with u
zig on his back! Both parties, indeed.
we're startled-the man as well as our
elves. Neither had expected to meet
he other. This Crusoe was nearly
Iaked: his beard and hair had grown
IL great length, and his eye had a fe-
ocious CLEAN in it.
At first he appeared afraid of us. bus
.fterwards we got him to talk. and dis
Oyered that he was one of an expedi-
ion which came from Chatham Island
ONE wears before in search of orchilla.
lie had deserted his companions, and
lis absence from their ranks had passed
nnoticed. His entire outfit of worldly
'oods at that time consisted Of the
lothing on his back and knife; but
e had lived on fruits and herbs, and
ad captured wild cattle by setting
raps for them, and killed them with IL
pear made of his knife fastened to IL
tick. He had built hut OF the hides