Huntsville gazette., 1892-09-17
TERRIBLY IN EARNEST.

MCPherSOn-
Terrible Situation.
FIRE ISLAND, Sept 13.-The people
here appear to have lost all sense of
humanity. They have been appealed to
in the name of God to permit the old
est women and youngest children to be
taken to the hotel for the night that
their lives might be saved and have re-
fused, with brutal jeers.
Even this since nightfall displays
degree of cruelty well nigh incon-
ceivable
After the Cephus came to anchor two
police officers rowed to the landing
and asked that letter be taken to DIR.
Wright. The mob refused to allow the
letter to come ashore and drove the
police officers off with threats.
As it was getting dark and no salts
factory answer had arrived from the
first boat second boat put off from
the steamer, rowed by two police. In
the stern stood a tall, gray-haired man,
Robert Thompson. AS he approached
the landing the mob gathered threat
eningly. He asked to be heard in be-
half of the 200 women and children
on the steamer who were suffer
ing from exposure and exhaustion.
After several minutes of insult
ing retorts by the mob, he was
allowed to speak. He said the men on
the steamer did not ask to land The
young ladies would remain, if neces-
sary, but the old women, some of them
grandmothers, and the children, suf-
fering, not for comforts, but for decent
care, should be allowed to land. They
would be returned to the steamer after
q nights rest and one meal
Attorney Willard P. Ried answered
that if the captain of the steamer
would come ashore. the people for
whom he spoke would consider the re-
quest.
Mr.. Thompson returned to the
steamer after saying that he would at
tempt to bring the captain back with
him.
1t was dark, except for the light of
fhe stars when the boat was seen pull
ing back to the landing again. When
tbs boat almost touched the landing
tssn, spare figure was seen standing in
the bow. "It is Senator Mcpherson, of
New Jersey" called out Mr.. Thompson.
Senator Mcpherson stood silent for
some moments looking at the mob
Citizens" said the senator at last,
'"The captain declines to come here. If
you will give your injunctions l give
you my word of honor l will give them
to him and he will accept them as
legally served"
Attorney Red simply replied that
the captain must come ashore.
sIf 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:
II appeal to you, men, in the name Of
God not 70 be longer led into
heartless cruelty by this attorney
but to give your consent that these
women and children be taken from
this boat, where they have nothing to
eat, no place to sleep, where the COM
mon decencies of life cannot be longer
observed; where their surroundings are
foul from sea sickness. Wait before
you answer. Think what you will be
doing. Remember your own wives and
children, and be manly. Do not bring
an everlasting disgrace upon your
names Be men,
1t did not seem as if human beings
capable of understanding the language
in which they were 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" the mob chimed
in. Senator Mcpherson sank down in
the boat overcome.
When the boat was rowed back to the
steamer, the newspaper men, who had
listened to this at once went to every
member of the Islip board who was
present and begged that this horrible
crime be not committed. At 11:30
o'clock meeting of the board was
held and resolution was passed that
if DR.. Vough would go with Lawyer
Ried to the steamer and see that the
injunction papers were served, the
board would allow food and blankets
to be taken aboard.
DR.. Vough was made to promise if
this was allowed no attempt would be
made to land passengers. The excite
ment did not abate in the slightest de-
gree after the Cephus had withdrawn
to the stream. The crowd on the dock
muttered threats and swearing that
the people on the excursion vessel
could rot before they would be allowed
to land.
This dispatch was received at about
1880 last night:
Guard the property of the state and see that
the hotel furnishes food to the passengers on
the Cephus. Summon all good citizens to aid
you. Those passengers are in want of food
There is no danger from cholera. The only
danger is that the passengers NAV be driven to
distraction. Appeal to the manhood OF the
people: know they will aid you; they are
human. Plenty of relief will arrive to-mor-
row. ROSWELL r. FLOWER
No Suspects on Detained Vessels.
QUARANTINE. Staten Island, Sept. 13.
z4.+ol 4a tho limited