St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-13
Treatment OF the Normannia
Passengers a Reproach to
American Civilization.
Federal and State Govern
ments Resisted by Local
Authorities.
Law Invoked to Forbid the
Harassed People Landing
on Fire Island.
Deaths in Hamburg From the
Plague Almost EX-
actly 5000.

QO<AhAN line. Ocpls 1S.--1 Ills udy Will
probably be looked OIL in future years
as one of the most horrible reproaches
on American civilization that has ever
occurred in American history. Federal
government on one side, state govern
ment on the other, both anxious to be
the rescuing party. and in front the local
authorities and private people forcing
back the victims from their haven of
refuge.
To go back to the beginning of the
story, the Normannia's cabin paSsen-
gers, who had been for eight days con-
fined IN chOlera-stricken ship, were
greeted Saturday with the promised and
long-hoped-for relief IN the shape of the
StOnington, to which vessel they were
transferred that evening. For the first
night for days they slept in peace and
satisfaction. Sunday they were to go to
Fire island, which, through Gov.
Flowers generosity. had been secured,
with all its houses and the Surf hotel,
Tor the accommodation of the first and
second cabin passengers of
'Ehe lli-FateG NOrnannfa.
Saturday night they slept on the
Stoningtor, but i'm the morning it was
discovered that she bad no means for
cooking, was of too deep draught to
cross the bar, and, according to state
ments made, she was old and too unsea-
worthy to venture SO far in the open
ocean. The iron steamboat Cepheus
was then hired, and the first and second
class cabin passengers started for their
promised land. The weather was rough
and many were seasick, but they cared
little for that, happy in their escape
from the prison ship NOrmannia.
After voyage of about thirty-siX
miles the captain weakened, and said
he was afraid to take the Cepheus over
the bar without pilot. In consequence
OF this the iron steamboat started back
to the HorSekhee bend, and the first
class passengers were once more put on
board the rickety old Stonington liner.
The secOnd-cabin passengers were kept
on board the Cepheus, without bed. or
even pillow on which to lay their
heads. They were streWn about the
SetteeS and carpeted
Decks Of the Steamer.
Early this morning the captain of the
CepheuS discovered that he required
coal and water, ana could not get to
Fire island without them. He calmly
steamed up to the quarantine jetty and
maze fast alongside, and sent word
shortly after to wake the health officer
up. After hurried conference with
DR.. Ferguson and Mr.. Wall, Dr.. Jenkins
decided to water and coal her at his oVS.
dock. This was done, and at about 10
o'clock the Cepheus once more started
down the bay to embark the first-saloon
passengers and take them to Fire island
The trip was again rough one, but
there was more than the elements to be
met. Gov. Flower had been congratu-
lated OH his noble-hearted generosIty,
and the blessing of God had been in
voked on him for the what really was
the generous action Of advancing the
$4,000 deposit necessary to obtain the
property, whose value had advanced
from S150,000 to $4,000 since the cool
turn, had in Biblical words telegraphed.
well done. good and faithful servant,''
and all seemed plain sailing.
A storm had been brewing, however.
around Babylon and IsIip since the first
rumor of Fire island being turned into
a quarantine station had been heard.
The Babylonians and their near neigh
Dors cared not tor the sufferings of their
fellow countrymeu and women; they did
not care II they
Died of Cholera,
starved or were drowned: all thev
thought of in their hearts was the to-
tally improbable proposition OF their
being attacked by the pestilepce, owing
to the prOpinquity of number of ladies,
gentlemen and children who never had
cholera in their midst, who had lived
for fortnight on Loard plague-strick-
en- ship 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 by
means of that anomalous legal stay en-
titled an injunction, but had assembled
as an armed mob hundred strong to
drive these helpless women and chill
dren back to the cholera ship, and to,
at all events, possible death.
The governor begged and implored,
DR.. Jenkins prayed these noble men to
allow the passengers to land. Telegram
after telegram was 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 Nor
MAMMA are now on Monday night lying
in the inlet by Fire island. The pas
sengers appointed committee, with
Senator Mcpherson as chairman, 10
confer with the mob of violence. The
latter refused to withdraw the inlunc-
tion, and so, for tonight at least. they
can claim the victory. victory gained
over All helpless women and children
and their equally unoffending hus
bands.