The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-20

The war with Spain is said to be owe
and the Republicans are making merr
over the outcome, as they think the termin
alton at this time will give them a ney
lease of power
During the last few months 1 have oh
served few things, one of which has bee1
that the fellow who seems to have a mos
portentous belly-ache for patriotism an
who bowls to heaven for glory, very rarel
cares to put his precious hide in danger.
A sample Of this is found in the Jekyl
island patriotism of a few millionair
aristocrats, who by their actions have vim
dicated their right to the title of Chief Hog
of the Universe.
Jekyll island is the Newport of the south
1t is wind-kissed ideal spot, little wa!
off the harbor mouth of Brunswick, Geor
gia. The owners of this island are collect
lively worth $500. OO0. 900 If they are worth
cent.
Shortly after war had been declared
some dispatches showing the unprotected
condition of the island were printed in tn,
columns of the Chicago dailies. Said on,
Of these dispatches
There are absolutely no defenses here,
and hostile fleet would have easy sail
ing to destroy the magnificent property
of the club The location of Jekyll
makes 1t imperatively necessary that
some protection be given In case of
war. The island is within easy range
OF guns twelve miles at sea, and a few
well-directed shots could lay the ele-
CANT club house and cottages in ruins.
Jekyll and st. Simon's islands are sep
aratedI by a deep channel only a mile
and a half wide. which Is the only en-
trance 70 Brunswick harbor. While the
islands would protect the city from
serious bombardment, they would be
themselves at the mercy of the enemy.
A party of clubmen on the island a few
nights ago discussed these facts and
the result was delegation. headed by
Frederick Baker of New York. secretary
of the club, left the next day for
Washington to personally urge an ap-
preparation for the Brunswick defenses.
The delegation requested the location
OF monster disappearing gun at the
south end of Jekyll island, and at the
same time suggests the advisabiity of
similar prot ection for the north end of
st. Simon's. Dozens of members have
private cottages elegantly finished and
furnished. The club numbers ninety
seven members, forty Of whom are at
the islands. N. K. Fairbanks and Mar
members. Cornelius Bliss, secretary of
the interior. 10 a member and is assist
ing the delegation at Washington.
Chauncey Depew. who Is also a men,
Der. promises to use his personal influ-
ence with the president.
All this Influence being brought to bear
upon Mckinley, the government was util-
lied, the island was fortified as per re.
quest and some Of our needed men were
sent down to work the guns and guard the
patriotic proprietors.
. But now comes the sequel to this story
island and the private estates Of million.
aire proprietors to be protected at public
expense. but not all right for our heroic
soldiers to be sent to this classic Eden Of
beauty and wealth after being wounded In
defense Of their country's interests.
Not long ago a gentleman named David
H. King. jr., and owner OF one of the pal.
atial residences called Cottages" offered
this same cottage to the Red Cross society
as hospital for wounded soldiers and sail
ors. Since the air and the climate were all
that could be desired and the house itself
was admirably adapted for the purpose, the
Red Cross people gladly accepted the prop
osition. Arrangements were then made te
transport the wounded and sick to the
island and there nurse them back to health
Then there was a hubbub! The other
patriot owners vigorously protested. Fol
a week they made life unbeara Bile for Mr.
King. at the end of which he withdrew his
offer. The Red Cross people retired in dis
gust and made other arrangements.
A recent number of the Chicago Journal
had this to say concerning the Jekyll island.
ers
Before this war broke out there was
not a more deserving and Industrious
band of patriots in the land than the
millionaire owners of Jekyll island
What they had done for the government
was beyond estimating. The most be-
nevolent impulses of the human heart
had new birth in their breasts and
compelled them to incessant toll for
their fellow man and their common
country.
There was John D. Rockefeller, who
owns about 5000 out of total of 1900
shares of stock in one of the most ruth
less and INSCRIPTIONS monopolies in the
country. There was ]. Pierpont Nor
gan. the eminent bond broker; Charles
Lanier, the banker; Cornelius ". Bliss,
who has something to do with the cab
met; N. X. Fairbank, George Could
Calvin 8. Brice formerly senator
from Mark Hanna's state and just as
good a one as HANNAH; Jim" Hill of the
Great Northern railroad, and Pierre
Lorillard, who gathers his money in
America and makes 1t circulate in Eng
land
These men were members of the Je
kyll Island club, and to the island they
rEnaired when IL was nernsearv IN re.
cuperate mental and physical energies
in toiling for the people. That's what
they kept Jekyll island for, and the club
thought If war should come the services
of its members to humanity ought to
entitle It to the best protection the gov
eminent could afford. There were no
guns too good and no troops too fine
to defend Jekyl1 island from the Span
iards.
The war has come and the work Of
one simple lieutenant from little Ala
bama home with a mortgage on 1t, has
made Jekyll island as safe as Posey
county, Indiana. Patriot Rockefeller
no longer fears for his summer home
Patriot Lorillard says the country Is
too coarse for him and goes to Eng
land; Patriot j. Pierpont Morgan re-
turns to his ticker and tries to figure
out whether there will he enough bonds
left over from the popular subscription
to yield him his legitimate profits. Ev-
erything Is quiet at Jekyll island. The
summer houses are safe.
David H. King. IT,, has a mansion on
Jekyll island. and he offered 1t to the
Rel Cross society for a hospital for
sick and wounded soldiers. The society
was about to accept the offer when the
other Jekyll island patriots began to
object, and snarl. and growl, and COM