The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-13
THE WHARF FULL OF ARMED MEN,
A Petty Judge in Brooklyn Forbids
Occupation of the Island.
Howiin@ Rumans, Led by . Lawyer,
Refuse to Permit Suffering Women
and Children to Get Food or Rest
Senator McPherson Appeals In Vain
to the savsges Of IsIip.

years as one OF the most horrible re-
proaches on American civilization that
has ever occurred in American history.
the federal government on one side. the
state government on the other both anx-
lous to be the rescuing party, and in
front local authorities and private
people forcing back the victims
from haven Of refuge. On Sunday the
unfortunate cabin passengers of the Nor
mamma, who for eight days have been
confined on the choiera-stricken shin.
were greeted with the information that
they were to go to Fire island. The iron
steamboat Cepheus was hired, and the
hrst and second class passengers started
Tor the promised land. The weather
was rough, and many were seasick.
After voyage of about thirty-six miles
the captain weakened and said he
was afraid to take the Cepheus over the
oar without pilot. In consequence the
Cepheus started back, and the tirst-class
passengers were once more put on board
the rickety old Stonington. The second
cabin passengers were kept on board the
Cepheus, without a bed or even pillow
on which to lay their heads. They were
strewn about on the settees and car
peted decks of the steamer. Early
on Monday morning the captain of
the Cepheus discovered that he required
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 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 embark the first saloon
passengers and take them to Fire island.
The trip was again rough one, but there
were more than the elements to be met
A storm had been brewing around Baby
lon and Islip since the first rumor of Fire
island being turned into quarantine sta
tion was heard. The Babylonians and
suffering countrymen and women; they
did not care if they died of cholera.
starved or drowned; all they thought of
in their craven hearts was the totally
improbable proposition of their being at
tackled by pestilence owing to the propin-
guilty of number of ladies, gentlemen
and children who had never had cholera
In their midst, who had lived fortnight
on board plague-stricken ship without
being touched and who were returning to
their own homes. Craven-heartednes cre-
ated them blind from their own imaginary
fears rather than from any real danger,
and they not only invoked the arm Of
the law by means of that anomalous
legal stay entitled an injunction, but as
sembled as an armed mob, hundreds
strong, to drive these helpless women and
children back to the cholera ship and pos
sible death. The governor begged and inn
plOred, and DIR. jenkins prayed the men
to allow the passengers to land. Tele-
gram after telegram flashed over the wire,
assuring the men of Islip and those of
Babylon that they ran no risk. but still
they were oDdurate. They would not give
in, and the passengers OF the Normannia
are now. on Monday night, lying in the
inlet by Fire island. The passengers ap-
pointed a committee, with Senator Me-
Pherson as chairman. to confer with the
mob leaders. The latter refused To with
draw the Injunction, and SO far tonight. at
least, they can claim victory gained over
helpless women and children and equally
unoffending husbands.
Seth Low has secured, on behalf of the
Chamber of Commerce, the steamer Vie
land, of the Hamburg line. for the recep-
ton Of quarantined passengers. The
Wieland Is now off quarantine. She ar
rived a few days ago. All the passengers
were healthy.
A newspaper man conveyed to Gov.
Flower knowledge that Judge Barnard, of
Brooklyn, had issued an injunction to
prevent any of the people from the
cholera ships from landing at Fire
island. The governor was much nettled.
and expressed surprise, Prot. Collins, a
legal authority. said: 'This is great
surprise. 1t is, in fact. serious matter.
will not say it will interfere with our
plans. aud as vet cannot say exactly what
we will do" The governor had previously
issued a proclamation ordering the sheriff
of Suffolk county to use all his power in
resisting any interference with the state
authorities is occupying Fire island.
FIRE ISLAND. n. Y, Sept. l2.-At 2:45
p. m. the Cepheus reached the dock, which
was densely crowded with Islip citizens
armed with shotguns, clubs. etc,
who prevented the line from the boat
being attached, and notwithstanding the
entreaties of the captain and passengers,
refused to let anyone land. The captain
backed out, turned around again and at
tempted 10 land. In this he was unsuc-
cessful, although man aboard shouted
that they had Gov. Flowers order 10 land.
DIR. Eoight went off III rowboat
TO confer with the officials on
the Cepheus. This afternoon the Cepheus
was lying at anchor. DR.. Voight,
physician in charge here. has been notified
ny Lawyer ". +. Reid. of Babylon, tha,
Justice Barnard has granted an injunction
restraining the landing of any passengers
from infected ships on Fire island. The
order will be returnable at the present
general term.
The exciting scenes here this afternoon
and up TO the present hour were owing
to demonstrations by from 800 to 100 bay
men and others, led by Supervisor w. III.
Young and ex-Supervisor John III. Vail. of
Isiip town. who took possession of the
dock, armed with shotguns, oars and
other weapons, and twice resisted ali ef-
forts to land passengers from the Cepheus.
At this hour. 5 p. m, the Cepheus is an
chored about 90 feet from the dock. As
the Cepheus ran alongside the dock the
first time hundred voices shouted: ''You
cannot land here; 20 back TO New
York" Others shouted threats Of
throwing the men overheard IL they
stepped from the vessel onto the dock. A
hawser vas thrown 10 a post which was
Immediately thrown back. Five police
men on the Cepheas ciimbed 10 the gun