The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-26
PRINCESS LoUIsA.s ADVENTURES.


Rescued and Sent Home.
New WESTMINSTER. Nov. 25.--tSpecial. r.
Fuller particulars of the adventures of
Princess Louisa have been obtained since
yesterday. Sergt. Carty. who was the
only one familiar with her story. was re-
ticent at first, but finally furnished the
following particulars. given him by the
girl herself and since verified by him:
Princess Louisa is a daughter of the king
of Gambler island, which lies about 800
miles west of Tahiti. She Is close con-
nection of the Tahiti royal family, and
while visiting the queen of Tahiti In 1890
was induced to take voyage on the bark
George Thompson TO Australia on account
of her health. having Capt. Barnston's
wife for companion. Barnston. she
says. was to return her to Tahiti. but in
stead he brought her to Port Townsend.
where he was superseded in command Of
the vessel, and took up his residence In
that city, where, it 10 said, he is now o
member Of the city council. Princess
Louisa was taken to Barnston's house,
where, she declares, she was held n .
slave for eight months. and was brutally
beaten time and again and made to do
housework OF the meanest order. This IL
the story of her life in Port Townsend, be-
sides which she asserts that all of her
valuable jewsls and rich clothing
were taken from her. As soon as
the bad treatment commenced she
determined to escape. but A. she was 20
closely watched, being always locked up
at night. that IL was eight months before
an opportunity was presented. Then she
stole away one evening, and after terrible
suffering reached Whatcom, where she
met . Tahiti woman, the first person
speaking her own language she had met
since reaching Americas. The woman
took the princess home, but that home
was q house OF prostitution. and the girl
declining to cast virtue aside. was Obliged
TO become . household drudge or starve.
When the woman left Whatcom a few
months later, Louisa came TO Westmin-
eter, and was doing servants work
in q house Of ill-rspute, when Sergt.
Carly first met her. Louisa's terrible tale
awakened the sympathies OF the stern old
sergeant, and his first move was to place
her in a respectable family, whose servant
she was for year, and her conduct all this
time was above rerroach. Then Carly set
about proving the truth OF Louisa's story.
and found II correct, receiving letters from
the king of Gambler, the British consul at
Papieie and J. Pinct & Co., of San Fran
cisco, the latter being instructed TO make
arrangements TO send the princess home
in fashion betting her rank. The Port
Townsend police were set mt work. but
failed to make Barnston disgorge anything
but few tribes. Carly wrote Barnston a
letter in which he expressed his feeling
al IL
best not to reply. Funds were received a
weex ago from Pinet & Co. TO carry the
princess TO San Francisco. the FIRST stage
on the way home, and she loft Victoria to-
day on the steamer Umatllia.
The family with which the girl lived
here says that when the bark George
Thompson arrived In port last December
to load lumber she saw the vessel. and,
fearing the same captain was aboard and
would take her into slavery again II he
found her. never went ont doors during
the whole time the vessel was In port.
The princess is a good-iooking young
woman 3 years OF age, and exceediniy
good natured. though her troubles have
IN nade her moody and silent Of late. When
the news arrived that she vas 10 leave
for home Immediately she wept and
laughed, danced and cried alter
nateiy and lived in q constant
state Of excitement until fairly
started. sheis devout Roman Catholic.
and has some education. having been
taught by French missionaries She
speaks English fairly well, but hardly
knew a word of the language when she
reached America In isef. Her eyes are OF
a beautiful brown. complexion light and
fsce freckIed. hair black, figure straight
ard yell formed. She would pass for
nearly a white. but has the trown skin
,,eraitAr 10 thn lAIanders