The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-08-11
A TEAPOT TEMPEST.
An Attempt to Overthrow the
Hawaiian Government.
FALL FROM A BURSTED BALLOON.
The Fate of an Aeronaut- Hungarians Riot
ing in the COnneliville RegiOn-Earth-
quake in New YOrk-A Smash Up.


quake in New YOrk-A Smash Up.
SAN Francisco, Aug. 10.-The steamer
Alameda that arrived Friday evening from
Australia, brings news of a daring though
futile instruction in Honolulu on July 30.
Two half-breed Hawaiians, Robert w.
Wilcox and Robert Boyd, who had been
sent at government expense to be educated
at the Italian military school, have been
plotting the insurrection for some time, but
the rumors were little needed until the mo-
nent when they eliminated in an armed
band of about one hundred and thirty ma
tive Hawaiians marching from Palama, two
miles, and Selling an entrance to the palace
grounds in Honolulu. All was quiet during
the night although in most of the native
houses lights were seen burning at mid
night.
About 1 am. an unusual number Of
natives and Cinnamon were seen on the
streets as if something very uncommon was
about to happen, but while the people went
to bed as usual, the rebel rioters formed at
Palama, and about 3 am. Tuesday, marched
from that suburb to the city, arriving at
the Muka gate of the palace at am. They
knocked at this gate and demanded ad-
nittance, when, after some parleylng they
entered the grounds unopposed. The
Palama rioters were Joined by other squads
from other localities and at one time the
rebels upon the palace grounds must have
numbered about two hundred and fifty
The King was absent,from the palace at the
time, the alarm was sent TO him by tele-
phone. The royal party then fastened to
the Kings bOat-house where they remained
during the day, guarded by dozen house
hold troops.
Meanwhile the rebels summoned Lieu
tenant Parker to surrender the palace, but
that officer refused to surrender, although
repeated demands were made by Wilcox
70 do so. A general alarm was spread
throughout the city by means of telephone
and the Honolulu Rifles were Immediately
ordered to report at their armory There
was a great deal of excitement. A number
OF families fed to the top of the hill; others
took refuge at the American legation
where a corps of marines from the United
States steamship Adams was stationed.
A cabinet council was held and with the
three ministers present were convened the
American, British, French and Portuguese
commissioners; also Captain Woodward of
United States steamship Adams. The
cabinet decided to demand the surrender of
Wilcox. S. NJ. Damon was appointed to
carry out the command, but his mission
proved to be unsuccessful.
Several shots had been now exchanged
on both sides. BY l a. IN. the rioters had
all taken shelter in a house termed the
Bungalow" situated in the palace
grounds, while the Honolulu Rifles had Sc
cured splendid position commanding this.
Shots We're fired from both sides at inter
walls. Finally corps of government vol
unteers began hurting giant power bombs
at the Bungalow. About this time thirty
or more rioters surrendered, one of whom
nd roll w CHI in % Cly oh
Robert Boyd, chief lieutenant of Wilcox,
was severely wounded in two places. 1t is
stated that Wilcox shot two of his men
whom he noticed were about to desert.
While this bombardment against the
Bungalow lasted, sharp shooters from the
opera house kept up steady and furious
fusilade until finally after hours OF lombard
ment the rioters rushed from their building
waving white sheet upon a pole and shout
ing ''peace, ," surrender The gates were
thrown open and force of volunteers en-
tered and took the whole of the rioters
prisoners. Firing ceased about p m. and
Wilcox was marched to the station house
at 7:15 p. m, his comrade prisoners arriv-
ing at the lookup few minutes later.
Among those opposed to the rioters the
only casualty was wound in the shoulder
received by Lieutenant Parker, and it is
supposed it was from shot fired by Will
cox. On the side of the rioters there were
seven natives killed and twelve wounded,
several seriously. An armed patrol was
organized to watch the city during the
tight and afterwards, composed of the
Honolulu Rifles, blue jackets and mariners
from the United States steamship Adams
and citizen volunteers, as special constables,
besides the whole patrol force. There
were, however. no attempts at incen-
diarism.
There were plans. The programme is
said to have been formed by Wilcox. one
report was to the effect that he intended to
secure the person of King Kalakuaka and
compel him to abdicate in favor of his
sister, Lilinokalana, heir apparent, and de-
mand new constitution and new cabinet.
Honolulu papers state that this was prob
ably the plan proposed, either IN whole or
n a modified form, but matters were kept
80 very secret that the exact reasons are
yet unknown.
Commenting on the instruction. the
Honolulu Commercial Advertiser says; 1.-THE
Jnsurrection, although long premeditated
and planned, was one of the most silly and
hopeless attempts to overturn the Hawaiian
government that could be attempted and
nothing but gross ignorance of the situa-
tion could have prompted any such attempt, |
and had the rioters been white men, a lu- |
matte asylum or the hempen craVat would !
have been the most suitable punishment
that could have been meted out to them"
The opera mouse, palace, government |
buildings and many private dwellings were |
more or less damaged by the bombs. An
inquest was in progress on the bodies of
those killed in the riot when the steamer
Alameda left Honolulu, August 2. A cabi- |
net meeting was held, but the officers de-
clined to state the result of their confer |
ence as regards the probable fate of the in |
stigators of the riot
From remarks of passengers on the |
Australia il seems that it had been ar
ranged to have four hunired or five |
hundred more persons participate in the |
instruction, among them some of the best |
standing both among the whites and |
natives. Letters were taken from Wilcox |
which led to the arrest of several we'll |
known people, among them, it is said being
j. E. Brown, editor of a Hawaiian news |
paper. The general impression is that the |
leaders of the riot will never be convicted |
as they will demand a jury trial by the |
natives, and amajority of those are in sym |
pathy with the movement.