The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17
LIFE ON ANN0BON ISLAND.
AN IEHhBITED DOT IN THE OCEAN
or HICH ITT7LE ~ KNOWN.
People Biaoh ss Grows Relied by mn Opera
Boune Governor = Surprising Sail in
Roardine Movinn Vessels from Canoes.

People Black sS Grows Huieo ny mn opcrn
Boune Governor - s.rpri-inR SAIL IN
BOARDING Movirn Vessels from Canoes
ENon He Boston Ddiiv GDbc.
Out on the blue bosom Of the south Atlantic
Ocean, In latitude IL "a south, longitude 81 az
east. lies q little island. oharted and known "a
explorers, surveyors, and others whose bushes,
10 on the great deep. but OF tho existence OF
which n large proportion Of the worlds popula.
tlon Ia unaware Years AFRO this island OF Ammo
bon was inhabited by q fierce. murderous, and
thlcvish race. but, lv!ng out OF the track of the
fleets that naviRated that part OF the globe. II was
hardly ever sighted and even moro rarely visited,
In the beginning Of this century an English
merchant ship called ut the island to procure
fresh water. Hardly had the anchor plunged
Into the sparkling harbor waters when the
decks became filled with n horde OF dusky na-
uves. who had swntmcd over the rail from
canoes alongside. While tho crow stood amazed
at the rush OF blacks, a shout was given by one
who appeared IN authorlty, and an instant later
the natives. throwing themselves upon the
helpless whites, massncred the entire crew.
The dusky murdcrers next cut the ca
bio and towed tho vessel to the beach.
where. after having sacked her. they destroyed
her by fire. Fortunately TINT part OF the craft
bcarinp the nHmc ard home port escaped the
flames. and was seen later by the crew OF a vcs-
from The island without loss OF lie. the %nstives.
though hostile, being evidently afraid 10 attack
the Vessel, which had u numerous and we'll
Other proof OF the massacre and burning hav-
ing been obtained. old England. with praise
worthy hlacrity. sent. 4 powerful ship OF war 70
the island. Arrived there, che, moored and
poured brondside, after br0adside into the viii
Of the Inhabitants. and sending the remainder
scnmperIpg pell neil into the forest. Landing
frightened chiefs TO iiiH presence. told them tie
cause OF the rhastiseinent. and promised to in
sisted from their mmnrierons bfnetires. liz as
sured them, however, that u repetition of tliulr
S ~SnIa w SsI;-o would bring a Gset whose hos etsM'
The terrified blacks promised good behavior,
and since that day no sailor has been iholestcd
ence; lies eighty; four mile, south Of The eaua.
west Of, the Congo River. The inbabitants are,
Til pebble ,@s exception Snlo or Two No, Spanish mh,, %Y,,eS; s;
other person Of mixed blood lie TO be found
% %s night 1MI ,' Mhia'h. n ,E"nr put almost a Tns %s1,i rs els sds
of from communication with the outer
world. has. IN the brief occasional visits
learn of and accommodate themselves
Their habits are simple. Courts OF justice are
unknown. A murder has not been. CON
these are terminated Quickly by the 9ppIissation
OF z stat welded hy the Governor to the bodies
OF the distnrberso q the peace. and ~quietude once
power TO SUPPRESS all disturbances in this
manner BY voice of the people,
puted AS to which should lav claim to the island.
Prior, 20 that time no claim Of ownership of the
during the years 1889 and 1890 spain sent four
Roman Catholic priests to reside at Annoton
and convert the population to that faith, and
after gaining the island two of the priests died
q the dread African fever. and Cnpt. Joshua
Nk1nalnO nf IN ~ y np ~ Nth ltr- N
Agate. who, gave the facts relating TO this
strange land and people presented here. died
1894. The Older, portion, OF the %popuia-
ton doe, not take kindly to the Roman
religion, The. fact Of their having been on
board ship when Sunday services were being
s son6n. aS by prGtestans whalemea e].plsigs the
r rain, Spat1his e ,i Prts +, n he ,s E are s1 rs ninys
the simple Slacks are unused. TIER offers to
cl9the and feed the children, il they bc permit
riage by the rights of the Roman Catholic
Church, are being accepted in some cases.
Before the arrival Of the missionaries tho
The islander selected the woman that pleased
him, called her wife. and the couple were to ali
his partner not quite 10 his liking he simply
life. Polygamy wns p~ractised as n rule.
The island Is controlled by n Governor chosen
ny tne neOUle IrOm among themselves. HIS
term OF Office is not determined by days or years.
but by the number of vessels that touch at the
pRGCIft or are boarded while passing the i.Ie.
appointed. The present. Governor had served
bon. in 1921. and in that time only six vessels
had visited the island or been boarded from 1t.
Crafts passing at a distance Of many
miles are. IL sighted. pursued eagerly and
boarded, II overtaken. SO anxious are the island.
The island is a series OF mountains and beau
tiful valleys. covered with = luxuriant growth
or rich woods and vegetation. The highest
peak rises 5000 feet above the sea. It's top is
hat and spacious, and upon II Is a pretty, lake.
Dbtainable. and some one of the natives is. ever
there on tho watch for passing vessels. When
widest excitement. Canoes f~reighted with
fruit. poultry; and vegetables. and manned by
praSny sing I push sMO of IN from ruT.s s,ho e and s5s are are
ship. At long intervals vessels are intera
'ented n this way, but usually the canoe men
rctnrn dlsconsOlate from u ~fruitless chase.
The soil IL very fertile, cocoanuts. bananas.
rams; oranges, sweet POTATOES. and LINES being
immense fock- If chickens abound. but neither
horses, cows. goats, sheep. nor fowl. with the
'lneIe exception named, are on the island. No
Itch soil would yield ample, harvrsts were seed
,f@ "ns fat Fna p of eIo;S, d rSr1 pi Ghar Il ,Ss S . nns
. bottle OF molasses. are paid to the governor
his own use by crafts arriving; After the
~ $500 ~ ~ i"iN BVns t' NV VI-
ire population constitutes q guard uf honor to
'nrther tho interests, of the ship, and work
'hcerfully In the blazing sunshine, bearing
yood on their heads from the mountain to the
hin for one fathom Of cloth q day.
The women own tho islands wood. while the
men claim the fruit cr0ps. Money Is almost I'M
Snown there, all commerce being carried on by
'9rter; nor do the people set much store by the
stands products. n piece Of cotton cloth the
lie of a pocket handkerchief bcing exchanged
Ne for q couple OF punches Of ripe bananas. A
whale scrap-a minute bit Of blubber, from
which the oil has been extracted by cooking and
VIII pass as legal tender, and yield its
'wner q small hog, while n barrel OF sailed
'lackfsh meat. tainted and loathsomc, will pur-
base fruit sufficient to load two whaleboats.
Once a year II Spanish nRn-0f-war arrives.
ieaves to on the port, and lands mails and pro-
isions for the missionaries. but no natives are
lowed TO 20 on board. consequently these ships
re not included In 1.-THE kings 10" When u
yhaler or n merchant hip runs In for the Island
waters become dotted with SCORES Of ca
fashioned from logs. and crowded with
'atives; each OF whom strives to be first along
ide. When they reach the shin they tumble
N board with all speed, often. In their haste.
TO MAKE fast, when. seeing their
PROPERTY going adrlft, they plunge overheard
nj swim away In pursuit. II Gems TO matter