The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-21
Would not Let Them Land
From a Plague Ship.

From a Plague Ship.
NEw YoRK, Sept. l3.-At $50 o'clock
this morning the situation Of affairs at
Fire Island in this city was grave, but
tending only in one direction. A crisis
has arisen and it will be met by the State
authorities with troops. The Cepheus
with her cargo of helpless women ard
delicate children was at the hour men
toned still anchored in the channel off
Fire Island, and their suferings during
the night are described as having been
most intense.
Men paced the deck Of the Cepheus all
night or reclined upon the bare decks
while snatching few hours Of restless
sleep. The women and children hud-
died together, crying and praying, in the
warmest corners TO be found, or slept the
sleep of exhaustion upon the seats of the
excursion boat if lucky enougi. TO secure
such points of vantage. Delicate ladies
tried TO rest upon comfortless chairs and
on the floor, and all bitterly bewailed
their harsh fate and the deviEsh hard
heartedness of Of the baymen Of Long
Island. It was only after the most earn
est prayers last night that the latter al
/ lowed some food TO be sent 10 the half
famished passengers whom they had
condemned to either starve or 90 back to
New York. Cold, hunger and exposure
would certainly have developed any
cholera germs which might have strayed
among the unhappy saloon passengers Of
the Normannia; but as yet no case OF
that disease has been reported among
them or among the second cabin passen-
gers who are sharing their fate. But
many of them will suffer for months, aye
and for years, as q result of their cruel ex-
perience of Fire Island.
NOBLE SENTIMENT AROUSED.
The helpless people, the prisoners Of
the State, nave been treated by these
Long Islanders as badly as shipwrecked
crews have been treated by the savages
of uncivilized islands, and yet the island,
or sand bar, on which the baymen refuse
to permit these unfortunate people to set
foot is situated five miles by water from
the nearest settlement.
HE APPEALED n VAIN.
When the Cepheus came to anchor OF
Fire Island last evening two police ofti-
GERS rowed to the landing and asked that
a latter be taken to DR.. Wright The
mob refused to allow the letter to come
ashore and drove the police officers off
l with threats. EObert Thompson leturn-
ed in another boat, and made an appeal
in behalf Of the women and children on
the steamer. Attorney Willard P. Reid
answered that ifthe captain Ofthe steam
er would come ashore, the people for
whom he spoke would consider the re-
quest.
Mr.. Thompson returned 70 the steam
er after saying that he would attempt TO
bring the captain back with him. 1t was
dark when the boat was seen pulling
back to the landing again. When the
boat almost touched the landing q tall,
spare figure was seen standing in the
bow.
at is Senator Mcpherson, of New Jer-
sey," called out Mr.. Thompson, who was
still in the stern.
Senator Mcpherson stood silent for
some moments, looking at the mob.
~Citizens," said the Senator at last, 'the
captain declines to come ashore. If you
give me your injunction papers l give
you my word Of honor will give them
to him and he will accept them as legal
ly served"
Attorney Reid simply replied that the
captain must come ashore.
If we can bring him ashore will you
agree to let these suffering, innocent,
helpless people land?'
"They cannot land" yelled the mob.
The Senator turned his face up to the
mob and in an impressive voice said: Il
appeal to you men in the name Of God,
not TO be longer led into heartless cruel
ty by this attorney, but give yOnr con-
sent that these women and children can
be taken from this boat where they have
nothing TO eat, no place to sleep; where
the common decencies of life cannot be
longer observed where their surround
ings are foul from sea sickness. Wait be-
fore you answer. Think what you will
be doing. Remember your own wives
and children. Be manly. Do not bring
an everlasting disgrace upon your
names; be men,"
1t did not seem as if human beings,
capable o. understanding the language
could Withstand the appeal, but the
crowd stood there, sullen and silent,
while the lawyer said:
"They cannot land if we permit them
We viii give away our case"
'They cannot land" the mob howled.
Senator Mcpherson sank down in the
boat. overcome by the words Of the
heartless people, and the boat was rowed
| back to the steamer.