The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-08-26
Lord James.

and Stripes are floating over the Island
with the authority of the government,
although it took years for the claimant
to secure recognition. The story or the
discovery and occupany at this late
day, when man believes he knows the
whole world, reads more like passage
from 18th century history than re-
cital of the matter-of-fact dolnSS OF
a Pacific trader of the present strenu-
Gus era. Three residents of Honolulu
mold the title to the island. They ex-
pect to become millionaires as result
of this new possession of Uncle sam.
The new possession is named Marcus
Island. 1t is situated 800 miles south
east of Yokohama, the same distance
north-northeaSt of Guam, and about
2SOO miles west of Honolulu. 1t was In
1889, while cruising in the South Seas,
that Captain James RoSehill, in COM
mand of a small trader, landed with
view to ascertaining its value as CO.
coanut island. He first anchored ms
vessel on the westward side, which was
the only approachable spot on the ISL
and There was no sign of occupancy,
no water supply, and Rosehill believes
he was the first human being to set foot
upon the island. The island was found
to be about five miles in length and two
miles in width, and because OF the
winds is accessible only five months IN
the year In the center was small
hill, admiral bly, suited for planting bat
teries Finding the island uninhabited
and unclaimed by any other power
Captain Rosehill took possession IN the
name of the United States. He FOUND
millions CT sea birds flying about, ana
from that concluded there must be
ruano deposits upon the island. An ex-
animation convinced him of this, and
he discovered a large surface deposit
of crown earth guano and in other
places phosphate guano. He hoisteo the
flag of the United States at the Top OF
a cocoanut tree Then he fastened
bottle 10 the tree in which was no
tice that he had formally taken posses
sion of the island in the name OF the
United States, his crew signing the
statement as witnesses. one OF the
members of the crew was placed on
shore with his wife and given proVls-
ions for a year, pigs ana cnlcKehs also
being introduced. A small nut was
built for this modern Crusoe and he
was left to his elysium- Upon return
ing to Honolulu Captain RosehlI,
through the United states Minister
then in Hawaii, John s stevens Ior-
warded a claim to the Secretary Oh
state claiming title. Secretary Blaine
6Icd the paper. but sent back reply
that it must first be proven tnat no
othar mower had a claim TO the island
before RosehiIl's ownership couid De
allowed The sea captain, VINO became
Assistant HarbOr Master a. NUN iH'N'
made many subsequent efforts to es-
tabIish his claim at Washington, put
was so often rebuffed that he became
thoroughly discouraged, though never
Giving up hope that he would ultimately
9et possession of Marcus Island. The
Sailor and his wife who were left IN
/ ,,oesession Of the island became wearied
( r. the loneliness and after eleven
months had expired were picked up by
I a passing vessel and returned 10 no
/ noIulu. IN the meantime Captain Rose
| hin had specimens Of guano Which ne
brought with him examined by expert
chemists in Honolulu and became CON
ir-,sd thar they were Of great value.
This value is especially appreciated In
Hawaii. where fertilizer is in much
r. Ta,,arv of this year another effort
was made to get action on the part OF
the Secretary Of State, and Rosehill en-
. listed the aid Of w. 2. Peacock, a
oaT+by merchant and of Colonel
Tbonas Fitch. both Of Honolulu, and
made another appeal to the State De-