The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-12
AN ISLAND OF DEATH.
ABODE OF BANIsHED LEPERs N
THE GULF OF GEORGIA.
Seven Unfortunate Human Beings
Form the Population of the Las-
arctic Established by the Govern
ment of Victoria.

Form the Population of the LaS-
arctic Established by the Govern
ment of Victoria.
From the Victoria CB. g Colonist.
At point about eighteen miles from
Victoria, and almost in the direct path Of
steamers plying between that city and
Vancouver. is a little green island on
which seven unfortunate human beings
are prisoners for life. The ripping blue
waters OF the Gulf Of Georgia, instead of
walls of stone, hedge them about, and
though each day they can see the smoke
of passing steamers and can almost read
their names. they know that none will
ever stop to bear them back to freedom
and civilization. Yet they are not Grim
inals; it is disease, not wrongdoing, that
has caused their Punishment from the
world. For them there is no pardon,
there is no rescue, there is no hope. no
pity, no escape. These seven form the
leper colony of Darcy Island and through
all the centuries no cure has yet been
found to heal the lepers spots.
1t is not so very long ago that this
lazaretto was established by the munich
prevent the spread of the loathsome dis
case among the Asiatic population and its
possible transmission TO the whites yet
few indeed, even Victoria, know or care
where the plague-stricken ones have gone
or how they live or how they die. The
ratepayers have a hazy understanding
that there is a lazarettO somewhere near,
for they have paid for its establishment
and continue to contribute for its main
tenauce. They are. for the most part,
content with this simple knowledge of an
unpleasant fact. If they are overcurious
as TO where the money goes, they may on
inquiry ascertain that every three months
a small harbor steamer chartered by tho
corporation bears the municipal health
officer, DR.. Duncan. and the sanitary in
spector, NJ. j. Collins, on visit of in
spection. and leaves the stores that are
required to keep the lepers alive until the
next coming steamer. These are the only
breaks in the terrible, hopeless monotony
Of the lepers' living death.
one of these Official visits was recently
made, and the doctor allowed the writer
to accompany him. He had seen two of
the lepers prior to their Punishment to
the lazaretto, and was curious to note
the progress the disease had made. Then,
too, he had never seen men with whom
hope had become an utterly meaningless
word, and was anxious to learn how they
tOulu I'VE OIL having nothing 10 I'VE LOT,
how they employed their time or stayed
their hands from self-destruction when
they felt the tightening hand of the
plague from which there is no escape.
We went out one bright, beautiful Sun
day morning, selecting that day as a
matter of convenience, and the trip being
taken about a fortnight earlier than
usual as the doctor was DESTROYS of
noting the progress of the disease in the
most advanced nnHpr nhGarVatfn
and knew that death might come at any
time and rob him of his opportunity The
trip was made in glorious spring sun
shine, and as the steamer cast anchor in
the little sheltered bay on which the
leper settlement is established, first one
and then another of the lepers could be
seen slowly moving out from their cabins
and following with their gaze the move
ments of those aboard. Then the landing
boat was lowered, and as the party ap-
preached shore the doctor counted the
population.
"one-two-four-six." he said; that's
strange; there should be eight"
A moment later the boat grazed on the
beach and the interpreter was striving to
answer half a dozen questions, simutan-
eously asked by the six eXiles-did he bring
letters from home; was the doctor going
to take them away; did he bring the
chess-men he had promised; had he any
opium; how Jared the loved ones with
whom there might be no reunion?
Then the landing of stores began and
the doctor and the writer began their re
spective work. We wanted to obtain a
knowledge of each individual case, and
photographs of the lepers, and this could
only be accomplished by diplomacy, for
the stricken ones are inclined to be re-
bellious and resent interrogation.
Tell them we want to look into their
nj hov 80
be sent home to China the doctor said
to the interpreter and as soon as this had
been translated all obstacles were re-
moved. Perhaps it was cruel perhaps
on the other hand, it was Christian char
ity to let them hope little longer.
First inquiry was made for the New
York Chinaman," as he had been chris
tened, his being the worst case of ALL
and this patient having come originally
from New York. He it was that was
brought over the Canadian Pacific in a
crate, so that none might come in contact
with him, and he ii was that the doctor
was most curious to see.
He's gone," explained the lepers la
conically. Ten days ago. We buried
him
The statement was simply one of fact,
and the manner of its making was one of
utter indifference. The other absentee
was reported in his cabin "sulking"
He no been here long," explained one
of the elder members of the colony. He
come three months ago, that's all. Now
he run through the woods and cry all the
night; by'm by he not mind so much"
All being accounted for, the photo
graphing and examination commenced.
the doctor taking minute notes Of the
special character of each case for the edi-
fication of his professional brethren, while
1 devoted myself to an inspection of the
island.
A pretty spot it is-a verdant dot in
the blue waters. It contains some 400
acres, of which not more than two or
three have been cleared of their forest
growth Near the beach stand the build
ings, and in front are stacked piles of
neatly cut driftwood Chickens and ducks
are running about everywhere, and two
captive crows futter with bedraggled
wings against the bars of a very small
cage, fashioned out of discarded biscuit
boxes.
What for?" was asked. at the same
time pointing to the prisoned birds.
What for you got him?''
The explanation IS that so long as these
hostages are held the other crows will
not venture near to disturb the garden.
And there is a world of pathos in the
f1Irf her explapatfop-