The record-union., 1892-09-13
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

QUARANTINE, Sept. 11.-This day will
probably be looked on in future years as
one Of the most horrible reproaches on
American civilization that ever occurred
in American history-the Federal Gov
eminent on one side, the State Govern
ment on the other, both anxious to be
the rescuing party, and in front the local
authorities and private people forcing
back victims from the haven of refuge.
On Sunday the unfortunate cabin pas
sengers of the Normannia, who for eight
days were confined on the cholera
stricken ship, were greeted with the in
formation that they were to go to Fire
Island. The iron steamboat Cepheus
was hired, and the first and seeond-class
passengers started for the promised land.
The weather was rough, and many were
seasick. After a voyage of about thirty
six miles, the Captain weakened, and
said he was afraid to take the Cepheus
over the bar without a pilot. In conse-
quence the Cepheus started back, and
the tirst-class passengers were once more
put on board rlckety old Stonington
liner. The second-cabin passenges were
kept on board the Cepheus, without beds
or even pillow on which to lay their
heads. They were strewn about on settees
and the carpeted decks of the steamer
Early on Monday morning the Captain
of the Cepheus discovered that he re-
CURED coal and water and could not get
to Fire Island without them. He calmly
steamed up to the quarantine jetty and
made fast alongside and sent word
shortly after O'Clock to wake the Health
Officer up. DR.. Jenkins decided to water
and coal her at her own dock. This was
done and at about 10 o'clock the Cepheus
once more started down the bay to en-
bark the first saloon passengers and take
them to Fire Island. The trip was
again rough one. But there We're more
than the elements to be met A storm
has been brewing, however, around Bah
ylon and lslip since the first rumor that
Fire Island was being turned into a
quarantine station was heard. The Bah
ylonianS and near neighbors cared not
for the sutferingS of their tellow-country-
men and women; they did not care if
they died of cholera, starved or were
drowned: all they thought of in their
craven hearts was the totally improbable
proposition that they were being attacked
by pestiIence, owing TO propinquinty
Of the number Of ladies, gentlemen and
children who had cholera in their midst,
who lived for fortnight on board
plague-stricken snip without being
touched and who were returning to their
own homes.
The craven-hearted creatures, trem-
bling from their own imaginary fears,
rather than from any real danger, not
only invoked the arm of the law, but as
sombled as an armed mob hundred
strong to drive these helpless women and
children back to the cholera ship, and to
at all events possible death. The Gov
ernor begged and implored; DR.. Jenkins
prayed the men to allow the passengers
to land: telegram after telegram flashed
over the wire assuring the men of Islip
and those of Babylon that they ran no
risk. They were obdurate; they would
not give in, and the passengers of the
Normannia now on Monday night are
lying in an inlet by Fire Island.
The passengers appointed a committee,
with Senator Mcpherson as Chairman, to
confer with the mob. The latter re-
fused to withdraw the injunction, and
so, for tonight at least, they can claim a
victory, victory gained over four hun
dred and seventy-one helpless women
and children, and equally unoffending
husbands.
EXCITING SCENES.
FIRE ISLAND, Sept. 12.-There were
exciting scenes here this afternoon and
up to the present hour, owing to the
demonstrations by from three hundred
to four hundred men and others, led by
Supervisor w. II. Young and ex-Super-
visor John II. Vail of Islip town. who
took possession of the docks, armed with
shotguns, oars and other weapons. and
twice resisted all attempts to land the
passengers from the Cepheus. At this
hour % p. NJ the Cepheus is anchored
about 200 feet from the dock. AS the
Cepheus ran alongside the dock the first
time a hundred voices shouted: "You
cannot land here; go back to New York"
Others shouted threats of throwing the
men overheard ifthey stepped from the
vessel onto the dock. The hawser was
thrown to post and was Immediately
thrown back. Five policemen on the
CepheuS climbed to the gunwhale and
motioned as though to draw revolvers,
but went no further.
L. j.. Wall, whom Governor Flower
authorized to take charge of the hotel
here, who was also aboard the Cepheus.
asked the mob to listen to him and then
said: 81 represent the State of New York
and am authorized to land here and as
sumo charge"
The crowd shouted, ''Show us your au-
thority."
He thereupon produced paper, which
he began to read, but could not make
himself heard. Many passengers, mostly
women, appealed to the crowd to allow
them 10 land, but the answers that came
were derisive shouts.
Lawyer Reid and Supervisor Young
informed those aboard the steamboat that
Justice Bernard had granted an iniunc-
ton restraining them from landing. Mr..
Wall asked to see the injunction, but as
the document had not yet arrived. If
could not be produced. They stated.
however that it was on the way.
The Cepheus then backed out and
turned. While turning DIR. Voight Sc
cured a row-boat to take him to the
steamer, and had gone half way when the
men rowing refused TO go further and
turned back. He made two other unsuc-
cessful attempts to reach the steamer.
The Cepheus again ran alongside the
docks, but a solid line of determined bay
mon repealed the attempt to land. MIR.
Wall again asserted his authority, but
when he stated that his authority was
flom DR.. Jenkins, the Health Officer, the
crowd jeered, and Supervisor Young
shouted, I'VE don't recognize DR..
Jenkins or Governor Flowers authority
here.''
Lottie Collins, who stood in the first
row of passengers that lined the decks of
the Cepheus, put out both hands and
cried, shame, shame, you call your
selves Americans, shame,p and as the
steamer again backed from the dock the
English actress kissed her hand and
smiled.
After the Cepheus had anchored, boat
was lowered, and Mr.. Wall and Captain
Triple rowed in it to the dock, but were
not allowed to step ashore. Mr.. Wall
said he desired to confer with the COM
mittee, whereupon several persons