Omaha daily bee., 1892-09-13
FIGHTING FOR FIRE ISLAND
Passengers of the Norma1nia Not Allowed
to Land in he New Refuge.
BABYLoNlANs fREpzlEO BY A BABY FEAR
Alleged Men of Islip Refuse a Refuge to
Their Countrymcn and Countrywomen
and would Force Them Back to the
Floating Pest House.

QUARANTINE S. l., Sept l2.-This day
will probably be looked on in future years
as one OF the worst reproaches on American
civilization that has ever occurred III Amerl-
can history. Federal government on one
side state government on the other both
ANXIOUS TO be the rescuing party, ano In
front the local authorities aud private people
forcing the victims pack from their haven
of refuge.
The Normannias cabin passengers, who
had been for eight days confined to cholera
stricken ship, were greeted on Saturday
With the long hoped for relitf in the shape oil
the Stonington, TO which vessel they
were transferred that evening. For the
first night for days they slept IN
peace and satisfaction. On Monday
they were TO go to Fire island, which, through
Governor Flower bad been secured with all
its houses and the Surf hotel for the accom-
mediation of tho first and second cabin pas
sengers. On Saturday they slept on tho
Stonlngton, but in the morning it was dis
covered she had no means for cooking, was
too deep in traught TO cross the bar, aud, ac-
cording to statements made, 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 passen-
gers started for the promised land. The
weather was rough and many were seaslck
After q voyage OF about thirty-six miles
the captain weakened and said he
was afraid to take the CepheGs
over the bar without pilot. In
consequence OF this the iron steamboat
started back to the Horseshoe bend and the
first class passengers were once more put on
board the rlckety old Stoningion liner. The
second cabin passengers were kept on poard
the Cepheus without bed or even n pillow
on which to lay their head. They were
strewn about the scttees and carpeted decks
of the steamer.
Early this 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 10 wake the health
officer up After n hurried conferences with
DR.. Furguson and Mr.. Wall, DR.. Jenkins
decided 10 water and coal her at his own
dock. This was done and NJ about 10 O'Clock
the Cepheus once more started down the pay
to embark the saloon passengers and take
them TO Fire island The trip was again a
rough one, put there was more than the ele-
ments to be met.
Governor Flower had been congratulated
on his generosity in advancing the $4,000
deposit necessary TO obtain the property,
whose value had advanced from Sl5O,OOO to
10000 since the cool season had set In. All
seemed plain sailing. storm had been
brewing, however, around Babylon and lslip
since the first rumor of Fire island peing
turned into a quarantine station had been
heard.
The Babylonians and their near neighbors
cared not for the sufferings of their fellow
rountrymen ana women; they did
not care If they died OF cholera, starved
or were drowned, all they thought Of in their
craven hearts was the the totally improbable
proposition of their beng attacked
by the pestilence, owing to the
propinquity of number OF ladies,
gentlemen and children, who never had chol-
era in their midst, who bad lived for fort
night on board plague-stricken ship with
out being touched and who were returning to
their own homes. These people not only in
voked the arm Of the law but had sent an
armed mob 100 strong to drive them back to
the cholera ship. The governor begged and
implored. DIR. Jenkins prayed that the pas
sengers be allowed to land. Telegram after
telegram was flashed over tho wires assur-
Ing the men of Islp and those of Babylon
that they ran no risks. They were obdnrate.
They would not give in and the passengers
Of the Normannia are now, this Monday
night lying in the inlet by Fire island The
passengers appointed a committee with Sen
Rtor Mcpherson as chairman to confer with
the mob. The latter refused to withdraw
the injunction, ana so far tonight, at least
they can claim the victory. victory gained
over AL helpless women and children anc
equally unoffending husbands.