Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1889 — REVOLT SOON QUELLED. [ARTICLE]

REVOLT SOON QUELLED.

VAIN ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW KING KALAKAUA AT HONOLULU. Disnatlotiecl Sandwich Islainlers Make an Attack by Night on the Royal Palace, but Are Quickly Suppressed by the Military- A Move lor a New Ruler. The steamer Alamenda, just arrived at San Francisco from Australia, brings news of a daring though futile insurrection that broke out in Honolulu Tuesday July 30. Two half-breed Hawaiians named Robert W. W ilcox and Robert Boyd, who have been sent at Government expense to be educated at an Italian military school, had been plotting insurrection for some time, but rumors that were current were little heeded until the movement culminated in an armed band of about 130 native Hawaiians marching from Palama to Honolulu, two miles, and securing an entrance to the palace grounds. In Honolulu all was quiet during the night, although in most of the native houses lights were seen burning at midnight. About la.m. an unusual number of natives and Chinamen were seen on the streets, as if something uncommon was about to happen, but while people went tobed as usual the rebel rioters formed at Palama, and about 3 a. m. Tuesday they marched from that suburb to the city, arriving at the nalace at 4 a. m., where they entered the grounds unopposed. These rioters were joined by others, and at one time the rebels upon the palace grounds must have numbered 250. The King was absent from the palace at the time and an alarm was sent him. The royal party then hastened to the King’s boat house, where they remained during the day guarded by the household troops. Meanwhile the rebels summoned Lieut. Parker to surrender the palace, but that! official refused to surrender, although repeated demands were made by Wilcox to do so. The general alarm was sounded throughout the city and the Honolulu riitea were immediately ordered to report at their armory. There was a great deal of excitement, especially among the Portuguese and Chinese. A number of families fled to ther top of the hill and a few ladies took refuge at the American legation, where ar corps of marines from the United States steamer Adams was stationed. A cabinet council was held, and with three ministers present were convened the - American, British, French and Portuguese commissioners, also Capt. Woodward of the Adams. The cabinet decided to demand the surrender of Wilcox, but this move was unsuccessful.

Several shots had now been exchanged on both sides. By 11 a. m, the rioters had all taken shelter in a house in thv palac? grounds, while the Honolulu Rifles had secured a splendid position commanding this. Shots were fired from both sid sat intervals. Finally a corps of government volunteers began hurling giant powder bombs. About this time thirty or more rioters surrendered, one of whom had been fatally shot. Early in the skirmish Robert Boyd, Chief Lieute-.-'nt of Wilcox, was severely wounded in two places • While this bombardment lasted the sharp-shooters kept up a steady and furious fusilade, until finally, after hours of bombardment, the rioters rushed from the' building waving a white sheet upon a pole' and shouting, “Peace,” “Surrender. ,r The gates were thrown open and the force' of volunteers entered and took the rebels prisoners. Firing ceased about 7 p. m. and Wilcox was marched to the station house at 7:15 p. m., his comrades arriving at the lockup a few minutes later. Among those opposed to the rioters the only serious casualty was a wound in the shoulder received by Lieut. Parker, and it is supposed it was from a shot fired by Wilcox. On the side of the rioters there were seven natives killed and twelve wounded, several seriously. An armed patrol was formed to watch the city during the fight and afterwards, composed of the Honolulu Rifles, blue jackets and marines from the United States, steamer Adams, and citizen volunteers as l special constables, besides the police force. The plans are said to have been formed by Wilcox. One report was to the effect thatfhe intended to secure the person of King' Kalakaua, compel him to abdicate in favor of his sister, Liliuokalani, heir apparent, and demand a new constitution and a new cabinet. Honolulu papers state that thiswas probably the plan proposed, either inwhole or in a modified form, but matters were kept so secret that the exact plana are yet,uhknown. The opera house, palaces, government buildings and many private dwelling? were more or less damaged by bombs. The inquest was in progress on the bodies of those killed in the riot when the steamer Alameda left Honolulu Aug. 2. A cabinet meeting was held, but the offlcials declined to state the result of their conference as regards the probable fate of the instigators of the riots.