Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1892-09-16
REFUSED ALL APPEALS.

Residents of Fire Island Display AN Utter
Lack of All Feelings of Humanity.
FIRE ISLAND, N. Y, Sept. 12.-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 the 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 since night
fall the display of cruelty is well-nigh
inconceivable. After the Cepheus 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 satisfactory
answer had arrived from the first boat.
n second boat put off from tho steamer,
rowed by two police. In theste stood
a tall, gray haired man-Robert Tho.np-
son. AS he approached the landing the
mob gathered threateningly. He asked
to be heard in behalf of the 800 women
and children ON the steamer who were
suffering from
Hunger, Exposure and Exhaustion.
After several minutes Of insulting re-
torts by the mob he was allowed to
speak. He said the men on the steamer
did not ask to land. The young women
would remain if necessary, but the old
women and the children should be al
lowed 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
for whom he spoke would consider the
request. Mr.. Thompson returned to the
steamer after saying that he would at
tempt to bring the captain back with
him. It was dark except for the light
of the stars when the boat was seen pull
ing back to tho landing again. When
the boat almost touched the landing a
tall, spare figure was seen standing in
the bow. at is Senator McPheraon, of
New jersey" called out Mr.. Th ompson,
who was still in the stern.
DIcPherson's Appeal.
Senator Mcpherson stood silent for
some moments looking at the mob.
Citizens" said the senator at last, 81
appeal to you in the name of God not to
be led into heartless cruelty by this at
torney, but to give your consent that
these women and children can be taken
from this boat where they have nothing
to eat and no place to sleep; where the
common decencies of life cannot be
longer observed; where the surround
ings are foul from seasickness. Wait
before you answer. Think what you
will be doing. Remember your own
own wives and children. Be manly.
Do not bring an everlasting disgrace
upon your names. Be men,"
1t did not seem as though human be-
ings capable of understanding the
language in which they were being ad-
dressed could Withstand the appeal but
the crowd stood there sullen and silent
while the lawyer said:
''They cannot land. If we permit
them to it will give away our case"
. "They cannot land" the mob chimed
Ia.
When the boat rowed back to the
steamer the newspaper men who had
listened to this appeal went to every
member of the Islip health board who
were present and begged that this hor'
rible crime be not committed. AT half
past eight o'clock meeting of the