Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-04-16
DR.. Edwards Letter

al numerous places where cannl
balism has been practiced il
former days, but now | am where
it is still in vogue. In fact the
inhabitants of the Soloman grouI
of islands are so savage that NJ
stranger dares to go far from thu
ship which brings him to to these
waters. Many natives are to b,
seen on the beach, and the!
swarm about the ship in their pe
cuiar canoes, with curiOs and
fruit for sale, but | am tolo
that in spite of their appareni
friendlineSs death would be the
portion of anyone who accepted
their offers of hospitality anc
visited their villages.
| was surprised to see a little
schooner lying in harbor here
when we arrived. and still more
surprised when | learned that i
was the Shark, the boat in which
Jack London, the author and hi
wife are making a trip around
the world. London is very il
and will have to give up his TRIP
for a while, and even now is
preparing to leave his vessel
here while he goes back to Aus
tralia to have an operation per.
formed.
The canoes of these people ara
the most beautiful to be seen in
the Pacific, being made Of
planks sOwn together and made
water tight with a sort of btu
men. They are about twenty feet
in length and are very light and
trim, tapering at each end. They
have high prows and sterns,
which are for the purpose OF
them from the arrows o
the enemies when in battle. They
are wreathed with shells and in
Laid with mother of pearl. The
men are adept in driving them
through the water and they came
about the ship at once on our
anchor.
The captain forbid any of the
passengers from going ashore, he
told US that on one of his pre-
vious trips four men insisted on
going to the beach to deal with
the natives. The captain told
them he would blow his whistle
three hours before the ship sailed
and for them to Immediately re-
turn to the vessel. The whistle
was blown according to agree
ment but the men did not come
back and even though the ship
waited twenty-fOur hours nothing
was ever heard of the men. |
suppose they made a fine meal
Tor the islanders.
The natives are naked both men
and women, and are unprepOsess.
ing in appearance. They have a
great many curiOS for this island
is not only full of strange birds
and animals, which have not been
found in any of the other islands
but they have peculiar
weapons and utensils which they
will sell for tobacco or food.
Among the birds is the Tyre bird
whose tail is most gorgeously col.
Ored and looks like the musical
instrument from which it is NAM
ed. There is also a splendidly
cOlored parOquet.
The men carry trophies of hui
man skulls and peculiarly pre-
served human face which is in
laid with mother of pearl, CIV
ing it a most grotesque appear
ance. The island abounds in all
sorts of tropical fruit, but so far
the natives have presented ever
effort to colombo it with white
people. A number Of Catholic
missionaries came here several
years ago and founded a mission
but all of them were killed and
the same fate has met every per-
son who has tried to make friend
with the savages. They will
trade with the ships in a small
way but are bitterly opposed to
having whites come on land to
stay.
One of the islanders, who ap.
peared to be a chief, came or
board ship and tried to induce
some Of the passengers to go Oh
shore, saying that they would b.
perfectly safe, but the captain
advised so strongly against i
that no one felt like tempting
fate. They carry bows ant
spears, and have shields made O
rushes, bound together in ova
form. They seem to have no ide