The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-09
HORRORS IN HAITI.
President Hippolyte Butcher
ing Whom He Pleases.
STREETS REEklNc WITH BLOOD.
Three Hundred Persons Killed by Order
of the Black Dictator-A Revolt and
Its Terrible Consequences.

PoRr Az PRINCE, June l-IBy steamer to New
York June Sl-The massacre of st. Bartholomew
has had q reproduction here lately. There had
been rumors that revolution against
Hippolyte was imminent and these hav-
ing reached his ears he caused the arrest
of about eighty suspected persons Among
them was General Sully, who hid himself when
informed that he was wanted. Failing to -
cure him, his wife was taken instead, and
thrown into prison.
The outbreak occurred May 20. A former
cabinet minister, at the head of band Of we'll
armed followers, stormed the prison and released
200 prisoners, who were provided with arms, and
when Hippolytes troops arrived there was
a bloody battle. The rebels were routed and
their leaders shot at once. By nightfall forty
men had been put to death. Others were cap
tured and shot ON the three following
DAYS. Every man suspected OF being In SYM
patty with the insurgents was killed without
q trial as soon as captured. Most of the 200
prisoners released from jail by the insurgents
were recaptured and shot.
The outbreak seems to have been pre-
cipitated by the killing of Ernest
Rigaud, the most prominent merchant
in Port au Prince. Hyppolite suspected
him OF being in communication with Legitime
and having brought cargo OF arms for the
rebels Hippolyte went to his house with
a detachment of soldiers Rigaud de-
either at his store or house. The president
called him into the street and had him shot by
the soldiers. The next morning nephew OF
Rigaud called at Hippolyte's house so ask about
the killing of his uncle, not knowing that he
had been shot by the presidents orders. As
soon as he stated the object of his visit Hippo
lyte had him dragged into the street and shot
About the same time Alexis Rossigonal an in
offensive and much-esteemed man. was shot
down without warning. Another man was
put up against the cathedral wall and
butchered. Seventeen men were executed in
batch, and even as this letter is being written,
June /, an occasional volley tells that
another wretch has gone down. There is no
fighting in the streets to excuse this Every ex-
ecution is carried out in the most cold blooded
way, the executioners being soldiers belonging
to the most degraded type OF men, and who
seem to enjoy the bloody task
Day and night Hippolyte's troops patrol the
streets, searching for persons suspected of being
in sympathy with the insurgents. Business is
practically suspended. The bodies Of the rebels
shot are left lying in the streets for hours
Today a grand festival of peace, so-called, is
ordered By Hippolyte. The festival IL TO cele-
brate the fact that the rebels have been defeated
and peace established.
1t is impossible to enumerate in detail all of
the murders that have been perpetrated under
the color OF the law. It is estimated that
from May g to June l 800 persons have
been put to death. No one can say
how long this state Of affairs will last, or what
the result viii be, nor can any one who has
not been an eyewitness of the scenes of hor-
Tor enacted, have any idea OF the terrified con-
dition OF the people of Port au Prince.