Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1892 — FIRE ISLANDERS. [ARTICLE]

FIRE ISLANDERS.

A. Heartless Mob Prevent the Cepheus from Landing. Even Food for ill® ftsdnwt-TmnsW' Denied by the Heartless Bayme*, Who Were 7z«d by a Czufll Lawyer. Monday, Sept. 12. will probably be looked on In future years as one cf the most horrible reproaches on American civilization that has ever occurred ia American history. The story of tho day’s events Is calculated to bring blushes to the cheeks o' good citizens. To go ba< k to tho bcfinning: Tho Normannia cabin passenger*, who had been for eight days confined on a choleya stricken Ship, wore greeted on Saturday with the promised and long hoped far relief in the shape of tho StoaIngtomto which vessel they were transferred that evening. For the first night for days they slept in peace and satisfaction. On Sunday they were to go to* Fire Island, which, through Governor Fiowcr’s generosity, had been secured, with nil its houses, and the Surf Hotel, for the accommodation of the first and second.cabin passengers of the 111 fated Normannia. Governor Flower had been congratulated on his noble-hearted generosity,: and the blessings of God had been invoked on his head for advancing the 650,000 deposit necessary to obtain tho property, whose value had advanced from 6150,000 to $210,-000-since the cool • season had returned: Goy. Flower, in return, had, in biblical words, telegraphed, *' Weil done good and faithful servant,” and all seemed plain sailing.

A storm had boon brewing, however, around Babylon aud Isiip since tho lint rumor of Fire island being turned Ihto a quarantine station had been heard. The Babylonians and their neighbors cared not for the sufferings of tb.eir foiiow-eoun-trymon and women; they did not care 11 they died of cholera. All they thought of in their craven hearts was the totally improbable proposition of thoir being attack ed by tho pestilonco. These craven heart ed creatures, trembling from their own imaginary fears rather than from any real danger, not only Invoked tho arm of tho law by means of that anomalous legal stay entitled an injunction, but had assembled as an armed mob to drive these helpless women and children to the cholera ship, and to possible death. The Governor begged and Implored; Dr. Jenkins prayed those Ignobfo men to allow the passengers to land. Telegram after telegram was flashed over the wire assuring the men of Islip and those of Babylon tiiat they ran no risk. They were obdurate, and the passengers of tho Normannia are now, on Monday night, lying anchored in the inlet by Fire Island. The passengers appointed a committee, with Senator McPherson as chairman, to confer with the mob of violence. The latter refused to withdraw the injunction, and so, for to-night, at least, they cab claim the victory, a victory gained over 417 helpless women and children and their equally unoffending husbands. But as Dr. Jenkins said it was not the armed mob he cared for,but tho Injunction issued by the judge, at the instance of these brave Babylonians. Tho committee endeavored to cbtain permission from this panic stricken mob to get blankets and bod linen from tho hotel and allow men to land for this purpose. For a locs time they refused, and finally the pass engers asked Dr. Voight if bo could tho clothing from tire hotel and bring it to them. The reply sent tc the unfortunate passengers and Dr. Voight was that they could only get Ledclothing off if he promised to leave with the Cepheus to-morrow morning. Dr. Voight telegraphed this to Dr. Jenkins, who answered to accept any conditions. They have now blankets to cater them, food and a place to cook it. They will remain over night in the channel, ns the Cepheus could not bo brougnt cut against the heavy sea, and they should not be very much disturbed, as thoX’epheos wa‘ over the bar. There wm no Infection co board, said Dr. Jenkins, and the - conduct of the mob was abominable and an outrage. He would give them a proctique as soon as possible, as they had already been forty-eight hours out of the Ncrmania. Governor Flower had said that ho wouldos Governor, have obeyed the Injunction of Judge Barnard, but If he had been In the position of live captain of tho Copher ho would have lauded the passenger* if hbad to do sixty days in prison, for It. Dr. Jenkins said there was i;o on« er* Sandy Hook, but ho did not know whether he would put ttio Norm aula’s paneogers there. He hud a letter from »•<*;*- lary Foster stating that ho could use Sandy Hook. Tho Governor win inaktm.’ efforts to have the injunction remored. They did not fear the urined mob. but the legal question was the point, and the GeV • oruor Intended ..b.dlng by the law.