The San Francisco call., 1899-07-18


statement made by member of the
" marine guard that was stationed at
the United States Consulate al Apia
during the recent period of hostllities in
Samoa Private Holloway one of the ma
rines, was not killed, as has been stated,
by a hostile Samoan during an attack
upon the consulate, but was, instead, the
victim of an American bullet sent from
q gun in the hands of one of his own
comrades. Holloway's life, it is asserted,
probably never would have been sacrificed
had 1t not been for the actions of the
commander of the guard-Lieutenant c.
MorTast Perkins-who, without justitca-
ton, constantly informed the men that
they were in imminent danger of annihila-
ton. He caused them repeatedly to fire
in the dead of night at an imaginary foe,
and had them worked up to such ten
sion that their guns were continually
popping, and at nothing, as the hostile
Samoans kept at a safe distance and re-
Trained from making an attack during the
whole of the time the guard was on duty
at the consulate.
= THE general public has very little idea
of the events that really took place" said
The Call correspondents informant to-
day, while the marine guard was ashore
during the greater part of March and
the whole of last April. On several oc-
the San Francisco papers praising the
marines for their bravery in defending
the American consulate. 1t was stated
that they were attacked night after night
by hundreds of leaf-crowned warriors,
who, in every instance, were driven back
by their steady and well-aimed fire. Listen
TO the facts: The consulate building is
about seventy-two feet square, raised
some four feet from the ground, and Is
made of wood, with an iron roof Three
sides of the building were lined with ma
rines who were protected by breastworks
of bags of sand. In addition to the latter
native mats, and, in front of the COM
mander of the marines, knapSackS were
heaped up TO the Veranda rail. Outside
the building were three guns placed to
sweep every approach. Beyond these and
inclosing the house and grounds was
fiVe-fOot barbWire fence of nVe rows. Out
side this again, on the east, south and
west sides of the fence, We're row upon
row Of barbwire stretched ankle high
above the ground. From this 1T will be
seen that every precaution was taken TO
make an attack difficult of execution.
During the occupation OF the consulate
by the marines hundreds OF rounds OF
ammunition were fred. People will
naturally ask how the little garrison
Jared. Well, only two shots hit the build
ing all the time the marines were there.
One was siX-lnch smell nred from the
Philadelphia when the town was first
bombarded, and which caused the wound
that resulted in the death of Private
Nudge.
one that came from the British consulate.
There was not another mark on the build
ing where a bullet entered it from the
outside. There were, however, several
holes made by bullets sped from within
the building. From the Veranda rail
through the floor and roof daylight
showed where, in the hurry OF firing,
pieces that should have been pointed at
the Samoans had missed the mark.
''As only two shots struck the building
one would naturally inquire, What about
(7f11t
noyed the Americans so much, and who
killed Private Holloway? The sharp
shooter was a myth and consequently
. never shot poor Holloway. The question
then arises How was this marine ktlled2
/ will tell you how he met his death, and
there are many others aboard the Phlla-
delphia who are able to tell you the same
story.
"On rainy night Holloway relieved Pri-
vate Myers at 10 o'clock at post No, l,
which was outside the building but inside
the wire fence. Firing had been going on
from the building since G, o'clock, ana
every ones nerves were in hlgh state OF
tension No one had slept for forty hours.
Holloway was leaning against the front
steps with his waterproof coat wrapped
around him. At 1890 o'clock one Of the
corpOralS obtained permission TO go under
the house with light to search for the
enemy, who, he declared, were hiding
there. After a very exhaustive search;
with revolver at full cock in one hand
and a lantern in the other, he returned
to the veranda, reported that he could
find no one and resumed his station
Suddenly, after short time, he jumped
up. calling out. There they arer and be-
gan to fire out of the front yeranda.
Several others near him heard Holloway
cry, oh, my Godr and fall. When picked
up it was found that his rubber coat had
been scorched. The bullet entered at the
top of the left shoulder and passed in a
slanting direction downward into the body
but not through it. Holloway was not
relieved from that post He was the last
sentry to walk No aIteT nlghttaH. Fri
feelings while he was at the same post.
with bullets from his own comrades whis-
trying to dig a hole for himself
''Tne next morning at sun up signal
was hoisted with the following words,
Send boat for insane and dead. A boat