The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-03-27
nuE mATcHMAN AND sOUTHRON. MARCH 27. 1895.
To the Dark Continent.
The Horsa Steams Away from
Savannah.

SAVANNAH. March 1S-The steam
ship Horsa. with 200 Liberisn emlgrants.
sailed from Savannah this afternoon.
Five thousand negroes gathered on the
wharves aud cheered the vessel as 1t
passed down the river. Knots of oe-
groes began gathering in me vicinity OF
the dock, where the steamer was ~
ing, early this morning. The number
kept increasing, aud at noon several
thousand we're packed 10 the streets
and lanes and covered the roofs OF the
buildings Tor several blocks.
The effort by Rev. c. S. Smith, sec
resary of the Sunday School Union. of
the African Methodist Church, who has
been endeavorirg to prevent the clear
auoe Of the vessel, CD the ground that
she was not properly equipped. failed
to accomplish anything. The accom-
modations of the Horsa complied fully
with the law and the vessel passed a
thorough inspection by the custom OH
cials.
Shortly after uoon the gates to the
wharf where the emigrants were wait
ing we're opened aud the negroes went
aboard. 1t was a curious procession.
ranging in age from the baby 10 arms
to the old man tottering on the verge
of the grave. The ONE came first,
and made strange contrasts. One with
a checked apron and a sun bonnet was
followed By 8 jauDtily dressed girl OF
more tender years, with gaudy plumed
hat aud bright ribbons. Some carried
v~alises, Others buckets, others tins full
of small articles. After the women
came the men. some with shot guns
aud rifles, and others with assorted
luggage. All we're sent into the stern
of the vessel aud grouped together in
order that a picture of the vessel might
be taken. The count was 202, OF which
SO we're children aud seven infants
The clearance papers put the number At
1877.
Over 400 trunks and boxes we're
taken as baggage 10 the boxes are
agricultural implements, Ere arms.
ammunition, household utensils and
supplies, clothing. etc The party will
probably be the best equipped that has
ever left America for the dark cont.
oept Since their arrival in Savannah
they have spent probably $1,000 to 81.
600 laying in stores. The majority o.
the negroes appear to be still quite well
supplied With money. There is prob
ably not a man in the party but wbo
has sufficient to provide subsistence for
some lime after landing in Liberia
Supplied as they are, there is 90 dan
ger Of this party starving to death OF
otherwise suffering if there is any pos
sibility of making q living at all in the
land to which they are going.
When the vessels lines were cast OF
there vas a cheer from the crowd on
the wbarves and the emigrants sang
their parting song: "I'm Going Home
to Africa's Snores." The refrain was
taken up by those on the shore. The
singing was kept up until the vesse
passed the city. the crowds following
along the wharves shouting good-byes
From the negroes gathered on the
crowded deck Of the steamship came
back answering shouts from men ano
women, while the color bearer of the
party, a sturdy negro of small dimen'
sious, violently waved a large Ameri.
can flag that will be displayed as the
Horsa enters the harbor Of Monrovia
The Horsa expects to reach Monrovi'
about April l. and after landing thu
emigrants will epdeavor to secure g re.
turn cargo. The party is accompa
pied by E. B Cottipgbam, secretary o
the International Migration Society, R
C. Truesdale and J.. C. Manchester ane
W. NJ. Simpson, agent ofthe charter
ers. The missionary cause is represent
ed by four colored ministers, who e
provided with funds to build a churct
in M%onrovia.