The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-28
HAwAIrs LEPER COLONY.
Father Damicn's Great Work Now
Cnrrich on by His Brother.

Bishop e r. Hendrix. d. D., LII. D.. in the
Independent.
Molokai as is well known, is the name for
the leper colony of Hawaii The lepers do
not occupy all the island but only grassy
plain ten miles in length. and varying from
one to two miles in width on the north side
from the rest of the island and its popula-
ton by q precipice fully a thousand feet
high which can be scaled at only one point,
and here it is securely guarded. Despite
their freedom from taxation and rents, their
ample supplies of food and clothing. their
abundant herds of cattle and horses and
their fertile fields, which require so little
labor, the lepers are virtually life prisoners,
shut in by the ocean on one side and by the
impossible mountain on the other. Most
Of the lepers are natives, but foreigners are
found among the colonists. and all who
once come TO this part of Molokai save TO
bring supplies or to inspect, as the Board
expectation of never returning.
Among the victims of leprosy are persons
of excellent families, whose friends build
cottages for them on Molokai and see that
they lack nothing for their comfort. 1t is
stated that the first person to be removed
to the leper island was a lawyer who had
been active in securing the regulation which
required the removal of iepers in order to
prevent the spread of the disease. No sooner
did the unmistakable evidence of the dread
disease first appear than he insisted on
setting the example of patriotism in volun-
tarily surrendering himself to be removed
to Molokai, although some years might have
passed before his condition would have been
known to the public.
The death of Father Damien the Belgian
priest who died on Molokai few years ago,
attracted the attention of the Christian
world to the religious needs of the lepers.
Joseph Damien went there young priest of
thirty-three years OF age and labored among
the unfortunate exiles for some twenty
years. After sixteen years leprosy APP
peared. and he suffered loss of smell, then
of touch and OF sight. until finally, after
losing fingers and toes, tuberculosis at
tackled his lungs and throat and then came
mis- herioc death. Nor did he have to wait
long for a successor His brother Pam
phile Damien, accompanied by four priests
ard as many nuns. has gone TO take up his
work. His cOmrade Brother Joseph Dutton,
has been on Molokai for sixteen years. The
reports of the propaganda show that priests
and lay brothers and nuns have long min
istered there in the hospitals and schools
devoted to the iepers and their children.
Nor IS the work being done among the
lepcrs on AI0loka limited to the labors OF
these praiseworthy priests and their assoc
ciates. After the noble work which has been
done on each of the other islands by the
American board. one is prepared to learn OF
q Congregational Church. with its faithful
pa tor on MOiolSai. Here. also. are TO be
found Young Mems Christian Association,
a Sunday school, a Bible class, a singing
school. gymnasium and reading room
One who has observed the Hawaiian love
Of sweet melodies lis glad TO know also, OF
a band OF sixteen leper musicians e.
MolokaL