The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-03-27
Going Home to Africa.

SAVANNAH, Ga, March 19.-Tho steam
ship uorsa, with two hundred negro
emigrants for Liberia. sailed from Savan-
nah this afternoon. Five thousand me-
groes gathered on the wharf and cheored
the vessel as it passed down the river.
Knots Of negroes began gathering i'll tho
vicinity Of the dock where tho steamer
was lying early this morning. The num-
ber kept increasing and at noon several
thousand were packed in tho streets and
lanes and covered the roofs of the build
ings for several blocks. The effort of the
Rev. G. S. Smith, secretary Of tho Sunday
School Union of the African Methodist
Church, who has been endeavoring to
prevent the clearance of the vessel on tho
ground that she was not properly e1uipp-
ed, failed to accomplish anything. The
accommodations of the 1Iorsa complied
fully with the law, and the vessel passed
g thorough inspection by the customs
officials. Shortly after noon the gates to
the wharf where the emigrants were
waiting were opened and the negroes
went aboard.
1t was curious procession, ranging in
age from the baby in arms to the old man
tottering on the verge of the grave. The
women came first and made strange con-
trasts. One with q checked apron and q
sunbonnot was followed by a iauntily
dressed girl of more tender years with
gaudy, plumed hat and bright ribbons.
Some carried valises, others buckets,
others tins full of small articles. After
the women came the men, some with
assorted luggage. All we're sent into tho
stern of the vessel and grouped together
in order that picture of the vessel might
be taken. The count showed POP, of
whom thirty-eight were children and
seven infants. The clearance papers put
the number at 197.
Over four hundred trunks and boxes
were taken as baggage. In the boxes
are agricultural implements, firearms,
ammunition, household utensils, and
supplies, clothing, etc. The party will
probably be the best equipped that has
ever left America tor the Dark Continent.
Since their arrival in Savannah they havo
spent probably $1,000 to $4,000 laying in
stores. The majority of the negroes ap-
pear to be still quite we'll supplied with
money. There is probably not a man in
the party but who has sufficient to pro-
vide subsistence for some time after
landing in Liberia Supplied rs they are,
there is no danger of this party starving
to death or otherwise suffering if there ia
any pOSSlDlllLy OF making living aG all
in the land to which they are going.
When the vessels lines were cast OF
there was cheer from the crowd on the
wharves, and the emigrants sang their
parting song: "I'm going home to
Africa's Shores" The refrain was taken
up by those on the shore. The singing
was kept up until the vessel passed the
city. The crowds following along the
wharves shouting goodbye.
From the negroes gathered on the
crowded deck of the steamship came
back loud shouts from men and women,
while the color bearer Of the party, a
| sturdy negro Of small dimensions vio-
lently waved large American flag that
will be displayed as the Horsa enters the
| harbor of Monrovia.
The Horsa expects to reach Monrovia
about April /, and after landing the emf
grants will endeavor to secure return
cargo. The party is panied by e.
B. Cottingham, secretary Of the Gnterns-
tional Migration Society; r. G Truesdale
| and j. G. Manchester, and W. M. Simp-
| SOD, agent Of the charterers.
Tho missionary cause is represented by
four colored ministers, who 60 provided
with funds to build church in Monrovia'