Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-01
HORRORS OF HAYTI.
AN ALMOST INCREDIBLE STORY
OF CANNIBALISM.
Sickening Ceremonies introduced In
the Practices of Voudooism-Hu
man Flesh Sold In the Market
Places.

man EASSA oo1u IL ehO oAesA nc
Places.
When it is remembered that Hayt
was once French colony, and that, a
the outset, large contingent of French
citizens were engaged in the work o
civilization, IL seems strange that 81
little that is valuable and beneficial
should have resulted from their labors
This may be partly due to certain in
herent defects In the native character
but there are other reasons, and foremost
among them must be ranked the terrible
superstition that rests ON the country
like murky cloud, sitting all noble as
| pirations and honest endeavor.
When, several years ago, an English
man, Sir Spencer st. John, took upon
of his Investigations regarding voudoo-
ism in Hayti, there was a deafening
clamor raised by the residents of the
island against what they were pleased
to term IAN indictment of a whole ma
ton" but Sir John stood valiantly by
his guns and would by no means retract
single one of his many damaging
statements. Instead OF this he made
fresh researches, and has just published
the result in a second edition OF the
original work. A glance at this latest
issue will show that the author, instead
of retiacting anything, has now fortified
his former assertions by fresh evidence
brought down to date.
As result of his inquiries, Sir Spen-
Ger finds that the degraded African
religion not only retains its hold upon
Hayti, but is actually being extended.
The Emperor Soulouque was firm
adherent, and General Therlonge was
high priest, as was also a recent prime
minister, "whose bloody deeds will be
an everlasting reproach to his memory.
President Salnave at first seemed dis
posed to court the educated classes, and
for time kept clear of the practitioners
Of the voudoo rites, but he finally gave
way and consulted we'll known
''papolai, or priest, near Port al Prince.
BY the latter's orders he bathed in the
blood Of goats, made considerable pres
ents to the priests and priestesses, and
then Toasted with the worshippers, who
gave themselves up to all manner of
debauchery, and kept up these festiv-
tiles so long that even the iron constitu-
ton Of the President gave way, and he
was confined TO his bed for many days
thereafter 1t is also added that in
order TO secure from the priest full
assurance of victory over his enemies,
he actually consented TO take part in
the highest ceremony of all-the being
Amounted with the blood of "goat
without horns" or child, but regarding
this Sir Spencer was not able to secure
trustworthy information.
That cannibalism is common prac-
tice in the island, and that it is ignored /
and winked at by the authorities, is also |
asserted by Sir Spencer st. John. In a
local paper, LePeuple, the following
appeared on January %, 1886: |
last week Gen. Alfred Milford, com |
the town and commune of |
Grand Goave, accompanied by the Chief |
Of Sections, proceeded 10 the arrest of |
ten or twelve men and women, who /
carried on the business of killing people /
md selling their meat in the market I
1t Grand Goave."
This statement raised a storm in
official circles, and the editor was
ordered to publish an official contradic-
hon; but the facts we're as stated, and
The prisoners were tried the following
year. In 1878, two women were arrested
n hut near Port an Prince in the act
If eating a child flesh raw. On further
it was found that they had
irst sucked all the blood from its body.
md that part Of the flesh had been
,alted for future use. In 1869, & still
more horrible case was brought to light.
dozen persons accused OF cannibalism,
we're taken to LaCoupe In prison they
we're beaten numerically, and tortured
y the thumbscrew and by cords tighten
II around their foreheads. As a result
hey confessed, but not placing much
confidence in avowals thus extorted, Sir
spencer induced friend of his, priest,
o visit the culplits. On these occasions
hey repeated their statements. Mortified
~ the details the priest questioned a
mother: elbow could you eat the flesh
# your own children" 30 which she
eplied coldly, "And who had a better ;
ightl"
As to the sacrifice of tho "goat with
nut horns" it is thus described by
'oung Catholic priest who was an eye
witness of the horrible rites:
The mamanloi stood on the box contain i
lg the serpent. At first she went into a vio-
INT paroxysm, then into a sort of half !
rance, when she promised all that the people
sked. A white cock and then a white goat {
'ere killed. and those present were marked [
18th their blood. Presently an ath-
ntic young Negro came forward and knelt I
efore the priestess and said:
''Oh, maman, have favor to ask"
"What is it. my SOM" l
Give us, to complete the sacrifice, c goat |
ithout horns" c
She gave sign of assent; the crowd in +
be shed separated, and there. on the floor, :
as child sitting with its feet bound In an !,
lstant q rope, already passed around the
lock. was frightened, the ehilds feet few up a
,wards the roof, and the papolai approach 1
with knife
At this point the victim shrieked, and Z
lie young priest, Mortified at the deed
bout to be committed, shouted, ''Oh,
pare the child 70 This drew on him +
lie anger of the worshippers, and it was a
it'll the greatest difficulty that he I
scaped alive. He at once went to the t
olice, stated the facts, and endeavored I