River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-09-15
HE NAVAL RESERVE.

Landing OF Ouaranffned passengers at
Fire Island, which Has Been Prevented
by an Armed and Pitiless Mob.
NEW YORK, Sept. 13.-Commander
Jacob W. Miller. of the First battalion
naval reserve, acting under orders from
Gov. Flower late Monday night issued
orders for the battalion TO assemble
fully equipped for service at New pier
No. 30, North river, at $50 o'clock this
morning. The men, 800 in number,
were all notified.
FIRE ISLAND, n. V, Sept. 13.-Men
of the bay shore were mightier than
the government of New York Monday.
Urged on and egged ON by advisers
who disappeared when the crucial
moment arrived. more than 200
from Islip, Sayville and Babylon took
possession of the only pier at Fire
island approaehable by steamer and
bade the Cepheus' passengers and crew
defiance when they tried to land.
As the Cepheus swung up at the end
of the pier voice cried out: Get
away, d-n We; we want no cholera
here" Then the mob uttered hoarse
cheer and roared in unison: That's
right. get out of here. You have no
business to land and you can't do it..
Lawyer Reid and Supervisor Young
informed those aboard the steamboat
that Justice Barnard had granted an
injunction restraining them from land
ing. Mr.. c. L. Wall asked to see the in
junction, but as the document had not
yet arrived it could not be produced
They stated, however, that it was on
the way.
The Cepheus again ran alongside the
dock, but solid line of determined
baymen repealed an attempt to land.
Mr.. Wall asserted his authority,
but when he stated that the authority
was from DIR. Jenkins, the health Off
Ger, the crowd jeered and Supervisor
Young shouted: 'We don't recognize
DR. Jenkins or Gov. Flowers authority
here
As 1t was growing dark small boat
came from the direction of the steamer
1t was rowed by two policemen and in
the stern stood a gray-haired man,
Robert Nj. Thompson. As the boat APP
preached the landing the mob gathered
threateningly. Mr.. Thompson asked to
be heard on behalf of the 200 women
Gnu Nhllditll OH biiC obOdlnCi WIN
were suffering from hunger, exposure
and exhaustion. After some minutes
of insulting reto"ts by the mob he was
allowed to speak. He said that the
men on the steamer did not ask to land.
The young women. would remain If
necessary, but the old women, some of
them grandmothers, and the children,
suffering not for comforts but for de.
cent care, should be allowed to land.
They would be returned to the steamer
after nights rest and one meal.
Attorney Willard p. Reid answered
that if the captain of the steamer
would come ashore the people to whom
he spoke would consider the request
After saying that he would attempt to
bring the captain back with him Mr.
Thompson returned to the steamer.
1t was dark, except for the light
of the stars, when the boat was
seen coming back to the landing
place. When the boat had almost
touched the landing a tall, spare figure
was seen standing in the bow. 1T is
Senator Mcpherson, of New Jersey"
called out Mr. Thompson, who was
still in the stern. Senator Mcpherson
stood silent for some moments looking
at the mob he could dimly see crowd
ing to the edge of the wharf and order
ing the officers who were rowing to
back water when the boat drifted too
near the landing
Citizens" said the senator, at last,
'the captain declines to come ashore.
If you will give me your injunction
papers | give you my word of honor l
will give them to him and he will ac-
cept them as legally served"
Bring your captain ashore, as you
promised" said Attorney Reid.
THAT would accomplish no more
than my offer to YOU" continued the
senator. "You want him for some
other purpose than that you have
stated"
Attorney Reid replied that the cap
tain must come ashore.
Il do not understand you," said the
senator. You appear to hesitate over
some legal bubble, and your hesita-
ton means unspeakable sufferings,
probably death, to women and chill
dren."
The crowd remained silent. "If we
can bring him ashore will you agree to
let the suffering, innocent, helpless
people land?"
''They cannot land" yelled the mob
The senator turned his face to the mob
and in an impressive voice said; Il APP
peal to you. men, in the name of God,
not to be longer ledinto heartless cruel
| ty by this attorney, but to give your con-
sent that these women and children
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 the
surroundings are foul from sea sick
ness. Before you answer think what
will be done. Remember your own
wives and children. BE manly Do not
bring an everlasting disgrace on your
names. BE men"
1t did not seem as if human beings
capable of understanding the language
in which they were being addressed
could withstand the appeal, but the
crowd stood there sullen and SILENT
while the lawyer said: 'They cannot
land. If we permit them we will give
away our case. They cannot land.
They cannot land" echoed the mob
Senator Mcpherson sank down in the
boat overcome.