Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1899 — COLONY ON CRUSOE'S ISLAND. [ARTICLE]

COLONY ON CRUSOE'S ISLAND.

ud by an Industrious People. The island of Juan Fernandes, upon which Alexander Selkirk was exiled for a time and whose adventures formed the basis for “Robinson Crtssoe,” Is about to be turned Into a colony. Robinson Crusoe, or rather a? prototype of Robinson Crusoe, existed tinder the name of Alexander Selkirk. - That Defoe knew Selkirk’s story there can be no donbt, for he closely kept to the facts of Selkirk’s existence on the island of Joan Fernandez. Even the story of Crusoe’s map Friday turn a foundation of troth, for Selkirk rescued a stray Indian from death. This man had become separated from a party who had landed on the Island and, being lost in the woods, was left behind and wmrid have died bad not Selkirk discoV«Rd him. Friday’s death did not occur in such a dramatic manner as Defoe described It, however, for Selkirk’s retainer was drowned while fishing. Barren as the place seemed to Selkirk, it contains many flourishing spots. The fruit trees which he planted have reproduced themselves and peaches, quinces, pears and grapes are In abundance. A man who had a stock farm on the island for Borne reason abandoned the undertaking several years ago and " turned his live stock loose. Cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are now found In a wild state, sh that the colonists are likely to have some good sport. The sea swarms with codfish, which should provide occupation for anglers. The’settlers are likely to be abundantly supplied with meat, fish and fruit. The Island, which is in the Pacific Ocean, has been occupied by a few German and Chilian families, numbering about fifteen persons in all. It is now proposed by the Chilian government to turn the island into a colony and about 150 hardy Chilian will form the nucleus of the settlement, which It Is proposed to christen "Crusoe’s Island.” The cottage which Selkirk built and which Defoe describes still exists as a broken down shanty.