The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-01-17
4 VISIT TO PITCAIRN.
Life In the Ocean Paradise Made
Famous by the Mut:ny of
the "Bounty."

When the British ship Comliebahk
sailed from Portland last winter bound
for England, Capt. Smith carried with
him large quantity of clothing. books,
hardware, ETC., for the lonely Pitcairn isl
anders. These were collected by DIR. r.
Il. knight of this city from merchants
nha bitants Of Pitcairn. The Connie
bank reached England a short time ago.
and Capt Smith has written DIR. Knight
an account of the passage, inclosing n
letter from Mrs. Smith, who accompanied
her husbnd on the voyage. describing her
visit to the island. Mrs. Smith writes:
I'm true Jack Tar fashion / climbed
landed without mishap in the islanders
boat, which leaked like basket. There
were ten men In the boat. and | enjoyed
me row Of two miles to the island.
When we neared the shore the surf was
very rough, washing on the rocks, and it
looked to me rather dangerous under
taking to try to take 50 frail craft as
their boat into waters so furious. But
nothing happened to Inc worse than lit
tie wetting, which ! scarcely noticed Mt
the time, and entirely forgot when one
OF the natives picked me mp in his arms
and carried me onto the beach. the boat
not being close enough to allow me to
step out of it on dry land.
:. The islander, who had been watching
the boat returning, and seeing lady In
1T, sent reception committee to bid me
welcome. 1t consisted of one bafefdDted
damscl, with bunch of flowers, and
several small children, ranging in years
from to 6. Thes, too, presented How
ers, which had been plucked by the way
side as they FASTENED to WELCOME ME.
AS soon as first greetings had been dis
pensed with. the girl took MY arm and
assisted me to climb very steep hill 10
the settlement
The air was heavy with the perfume
of beautiful flowers and orange blossoms.
Cultivated flowers are in great profusicn
all over the island. and oranges. lemons,
lines, cocoanut, guava and breadfruit
trees grow in one great mass. no attempt
being made to keep them separate. The
island is divided into avenues, which are
beautifully clean. no leaves or twigs to
be seen Oh them. which is quite notice
able to Il stranger. seeing there is so
much foliage. The head man. Mr.. Ne
Coy. who keeps the lines of government
in his own hands. and the islanders look
up to him as their adviser and director.
has the avenues swept every Friday. the
work being done by the rhil,lren:
There are only I3O souls on the island
at present, two-tbirdS of these being
children. The islanders rise in the
morning at & clock. when the Iai,urs
of the day commence with the ringing of
the church bell. and all hands assemble
to ask the Supreme Ruler for blessing
on the labors of the day. They parta Ike
of the frugal meals, and then labor un-
| til noon in building houses or whatever
may he TO do for the good of the iSa nd
Then from labor to refreshment for one
hour. when all hands go to school-men
women apd children-until D. H. Then
| two hours are devoted to c,lltivating
their portion of land. They grow Irish
| potatoes. sweet ones. pumpkins. beets.
| beans. arrowrOot. onions. lettnre. etc.
l also saw pineapples in their infancy.
''My three hours ON the island came to
| an end all too soon. ! would have lin
| gered longer. and l left it with regret.
| The whole population escorted me to the
| boat. Many of them kissed me farewell
| and told ME to soon return. or if [ would
only stay they would keep me for year.
or until such time as the ship returned.
| Time being up for me to return I was
| again carried into the boat. and was
| safely landed on board my floating home.
| And so ended treat never to be for.
gotten SO long as memory lasts. 1t is A
paradise on earth. without doubt. and |
envy them their perfect lives of har.
mony and peaceful quiet that ever sur.
rounds their isolated dwelling. Port.
land Oregonian.