The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-06-06
lN TIE PHILIPPINE GROUP.
Small Islands That Have Histories
Fun of Interest for the Hunter
of the Curious.

OF the ANtAodos
II IS probable that the Philippine Is
ands are more quantity enriched with
naeer corners than any other of this
conntry's foreign possessions. Among
the interesting spots that have up %
low escaped the hunter after curious
things might be mentioned the little IS
Fiand Of Santa Maria. says the New YORK
herald.
Up to a short time ago here lived an
old datto who had numerous pretty
wives; in fact so old and ugly was the
aatto and SO pretty the wives that the
latter indulged in affairs Of the heart
when the latter was not around. Two
4 % the wives In particular were often TO
/ be seen driving around the streets, fol-
1 lowed at a respectable distance by their
(, lcye.siclz Romeos
One nignt there was a row at the dat
to's harem and the two wives mysteri-
ously disappeared. This came to the
ears of the officer commanding the
American troops and the datto was
asked to explain where the wives were
"They dead" he grunted laconically.
what caused them to die at the same
timer"
Head chopee Off. was the terse re-
ply
1t was further explained that the small
island called Santa Maria had been care
fully set aside by the datto's forefathers
as a death place for his unfaithful
wives The investigation which fol-
lowed disclosed that Santa Maria was
veritable Bluebeard's chamber, the key
tO which was held by Filipino lord
high executioner, who lived there The
island is only strip of land. but in
secluded corner the American officers
found a grewsome pile Of heads tied to-
gether by the hair in artistic bunches Of
two and three
Another interesting little island is
Bsngao, which Is one Of the southern
most Of the Philippine group, being only
a few miles from British North Borneo
Under the Spanish regime it was inhab-
tied by mixed breed Of murderous
Moros, treacherous Malays and others
with a dash Of the piratical blood Of
Borneo
The American soldiers had consid-
srable trouble with these people at the
beginning Of the war. The pirates stole
everything that happened to be lying
loose. particularly guns: stabbed men
In the back merely as matter Of pl-
ratio principle. and when things grew
a BIT dull they turned to and smoked
up their own island.
The only time % real peace In the
place was when the pirates launched
their war carnoes and put to sea armed
to the teeth They usually returned a
week later with considerable quantities
Of loot and proceeded forthwith to get
gloriousiy drunk and raise more
trouble.
The Luneta, in Manila. under the
Spanish regime might well have laid
claim to being one Of the dueerest cor
ners Of the globe II was the custom Of
the old government to execute Filipino
malefactors here, and such events were
characterized by much ice cream and
many brass bands
The announcement would be made
that five or six natives were to be exc
cuted for various offenses. The island |
aristrocracy would drive from all quar-
ters to witness the sport"
The band would strike up. at the end |
Of the overture whisper would dart |
through the lines Of carriages. There |
would be dead silence. Then q mysteri-
Gus melancholy "chump' would an
nounce that one Filipino malefactor
had parted company with his head.
Once more the bray Of the brass band.
Ice cream and other refreshments would !
be handed around The latest scandal |
in official life would be discussed. Thea |
a pause-tense execitement for q mo-
ment-and another Filipino would 60 in
search Of his head The bull fight is
certainly tame compared With the sport
OF ehopping Of heads.