Plantagearbejderne på de dansk vestindiske øer kunne en gang om året skifte arbejde, de var ansat på årskontrakter, hvert år 1. oktober. Den dag var normalt flere tusinde farvede plantagearbejdere forsamlet i Frederiksted (3.500 indb.) og Christiansted (5.000 indb.). Her kunne de træffe slægtninge og feste.
Skiftedagen den 1. oktober 1878 var mange af St. Croix’ arbejdere samlet i Frederiksted. Der blevet både festet og drukket. Efter noget tumult i gaden satte politiet hårdt ind og sendte bl.a. en landarbejder ved navn Henry Trotman på hospitalet. Tumulten fortsatte dog i gaderne, og det rygtedes, at Henry Trotman var afgået ved døden efter politiets hårde behandling. Herefter eskalerede utilfredsheden. Det var han dog ikke, men politi og militær blev nødt til at trække sig tilbage til fortet i Frederiksted væk fra den vrede menneskemængde. Arbejderne begyndte at storme fortet, men det lykkedes dem ikke at trænge ind. Der blev sendt en rytter af sted mod byen Christiansted i den anden ende af St. Croix for at alarmere kolonimagten og bede om assistance. Ud på natten blev mange huse i Frederiksted sat i brand og butikker plyndret.
Specielt tre kvinder, som deltog i Fireburn, er i Vestindien i dag et vigtigt symbol på deres modstand mod kolonimagten. Kvinderne er kendt som Queen Mary, Queen Agnes og Queen Mathilda. De blev alle anholdt sammen med en fjerde kvinde, Susanna Abrahamson / Bottom Belly, og endte bl.a. med at afsone dele af deres straf, først i København i kvindefængslet på Christianshavn i 1880’erne, senere til deres død på St. Croix.
Politimesteren (Petersen) og 5 betjente forskansede sig i Fort Frederik ved havnen sammen med andre hvide og skød mod folkemængden. Plantageejeren G. Fontaine blev ramt af kasteskyts og døde senere.
Nyheden nåede til Christiansted om natten, og løjtnant Ostermann blev sendt afsted med 20 mand, skød mod oprørerne, men kunne ikke forhindre at 2/3 af byen stod i flammer: "The Fireburn". St. Croix Avis fra 2. oktober ikke havde andet end en kortfattet notits om uroligheder, men på St. Thomas var man underrettet:
Rising in St. Croix!
MANY citizens were alarmed last night by what seemed to them the destruction, by fire, of some unfortunate vessel to the S. W. of our harbour and awaited the morrow with anxiety to learn the painful facts connected with the disaster. In this we were agreeable disappointed, but the appalling news which next revealed itself to us was that the town of Frederikssted, Santa Cruz was partly burned down and that the time expired labourers had organized a rising which it was feared, would spread over the Island. As a natural consequence alarm was rife among our community, composed as it is of so many who ate, and who sympathise, with Cruxiants, we became apprehensive and endeavoured to obtain information from every quarter. Preparations were made by Government for the dispatch of some of the military and at 12 o'clock about 50 soldiers, under the command of Lieutenant Baron von Eggers, embarked from the Pier and were taken on board the Royal Mail Steamer "Arno" placed at the disposal of Government by the General Superintendent of the R. M. S. P. Co. His Excellency Governor Garde and several officials and and other gentlemen also took passage in the "Arno" which Steamer started at 1 o'clok, p.m.
The Agents of the General Transatlantic Company and Herrera Line of Steamers, we understand, showed the same courtesy.
Several persons here, to-day, telegraphed for information, and the following was received: -
"Insurrection and fire in West End; many lives lost";
"Many prominent citizens bodily injured; from Mount Pleasant, below Kings Hill, to Carlton on fire";
"Things very bad, sooner help comes the better. Marching on Bassin";
"Reported negroes coming to Bassin. Preparing to receive them";
"Threatening; we are marching under arms."
The following telegram was received, at noon, by Government "Oestermann has cleared Frederiksted." We understand that the French Vice Consul has telegraphed to the French Islands for help and that Her Britannic Majesty's Consul has requested the presence of man-of-war.
Such are the painful details at hand, and much do we regret the state of things in our unfortunate Sister Island. Until we get detailed particulars we cannot say more but hope that the pacification of the disturbance will embrace our next.
LATER.
The Danish schooner "Petrel" arrived here this afternoon and was boarded beyond the "Scorpion Buoy" by our reporter who learnt that the rising commenced at noon yesterday and the fire at 6 p. m. "Bay Street" and the street next to it have been entirely destroyed. The Policemen were rempelled to shut themselves in the Fort. A gentleman from Fredericksted is of the opinion that 25 armed military would have been quite enough to quell the rioters. We are sorry to learn the deaths of Messr. Skooch, MacFarlane, and Fontaine. The "Petrel" left Fredericksted at 4 a. m. today. The barque "Carib" has also arrived,bringing many passengers, among them Mr. John Moore, who we learn is badly burnt. The "Carib" will return to-night. we are also informed that the "Arno" arrived safely. Up to the hour of our going to press everything appears to be quiet at Christiansted.
The"Desirade", at the request of the Government, will leave for Basin at midnight.
(St. Thomas Times (formerly St. Thomæ Tidende), 2. oktober 1878)
Efter 1862 havde St. Thomas og St. Jan ingen særlig kommandant, men guvernøren hvis hovedsæde var Christiansted 1862-1871 og fra da af St. Thomas, havde alle tre øer under sig. Han opholdt sig vinterhalvåret på St. Thomas og sommerhalvåret på St. Croix. 1876-1881 var marinekaptajn Janus August Garde guvernør
Bekjendtgjörelse.
UNDER de paa St. Croix nu stedfindende tumultariske Optrin erklærer jeg undertegnede Gouverneur, i Henhold til Coloniallovens 12, Öen i BELEIRINGSTILSTAND. Som Følge heraf opfordres enhver god Borger til at stötte den lovlige Magt og strax at melde sig hos Præsidenten i Byen Christiansted eller hos Politimesteren i Byen Frederiksted. Enhver der antræffes med Vaaben i Haand for at gjöre Modstand mod den lovlige Magt, udsætter sig for at blive nedskudt paa Stedet. Paa Gader og offentlige Pladser man ingen Forsamlinger finde Sted paa mere end 3 Personer,
Gouvernementet for de Dansk Vestindiske Öer, p. t. Christiansted, St. Croix den 2den October 1878
AUG. GARDE.
Bekjendtgjörelse.
EFTERAT Oprörsbanderne for störste Delen nu ere blevne adsplittede ved Vaabenmagt, befales herved som fölger:
Alle Landarbeidere have at holde sig paa de Plantager, hvor de höre tjenere. De som have taget Ophold i og forstukket sig i Sukkermarkerne eller i "the bush" ville have at vende hjem til deres Boliger, da de, naar de antræffes i Skjul, udsætte sig for at ansees og behandles som Deeltagere i Opröret. Saadanne som i lovligt Ærende maatte have at begive sig fra deres Hjem, ville have at forsyne sig med en Fölgeseddel eller et Pas fra deres Foresatte, da de ellers ville blive anholdte og fængslede indtil de gjöre Rede for sig.
Gouvernementet for de dansk vestindiske Öer p. t. St. Croix den 5te October 1878
AUG. GARDE.
Arbejderboliger på St. Croix. Årstal ikke angivet. Postkort. Det Kongelige Bibliotek.
JANUS AUGUST GARDE
Commandeur af Dannebrog og Dannebrogemand, Kammerherre, Governeur over de Dansk Vestindiske Öer.
GJÖR VITTERLIGT: Efterat jeg den 2den dennes har maattet erklære Öen St. Croix i Belejringstilstand, som Fölge af det Dagen forinden udbrudte Oprör, hvilket fremdeles er fortsat med Ödelæggelser navnlig ved Ildspaasettelser, Mordbrand og Plyndring, og da det, baade paa Grund af Mængden af de Personer der bestandig indbringes som grebne i eller mistænkte tor Deeltagelse i Oprøret, og for Exemplets Skyld ikke er gjörligt at lade de begaaede Forbrydelser forfölge gjennem sædvanlig Rettegang, saa har jeg, i Kraft af den mig under disse Forholdt i Henhold fil Coloniallovens 12 tilkommende uindskrænkede Myndighed, besluttet at forordne og nedsætte en overordentlig .Standret til Forfölgning og Paakjendelse af de i og under Opröret af Oprörerne, Urostifterne og alle Deeltagere i Opröret og sammes Ödelæggelser, begaaede Forbrydelser.
Thi forordner og nedsæter jeg bemeldte Standret, der, eftersom Forholdene udkræve det, vil være at holde enten i Christiansted eller Frederiksted eller hvorsomhelst ellers her paa Öen Retten maatte vælge, som fölger :
Hr. Overdommer Justitsraad Ph. P. ROSENSTAND som Præses;
Hr. Justitsraad, Politimesfer A. FORSBERG R. D. og D. M.;
samt Politimesteren i Christiansteds Jurisdiction eller Politimesteren i Frederiksteds Jurisdiction, eftersom Retten holdes i den ene eller den anden af disse Jurisdiktioner.
Standretten skal kun være bunden ved saadanne processuelle Former og Regler, som i ethvert Tilfælde ere fornödne for at give Dommerne saadan Overbeviisning om de Paagjældendes Strafskyld, at de for GUD og deres Samvittighed kunne forsvare derpaa at grunde Dommen.
Standretten idömmer ingen anden Straf end Livsstraf. Naar nogen Sigtet findes ikke at burde ansees med denne Straf, forbeholdes Sagen til anden Undersögelse, Forfölgning og Paakjendelse.
Governementet for de Dansk Vestindiske Öer p. t. St. Croix den 5te October 1878
Aug. Garde
"THE AVIS"
CHRISTIANSTED, ST. CROIX
Saturday, 5th October 1878.
It is our painful duly to record a calamity never hitherto equalled in severity by any that have befallen this island.
On the 1st of October the annual contracts with the labourers for the most part expire, and there is generally some excitement in the two towns caused by the presence of labourers seeking new contracts or intending to leave the island. The excitement last Tuesday was unusually high, but the day passed off peacefully in Christiansted. Not so in Frederiksted, where a contest with the police arose, and assumed such a formidable aspect that the local authorities were compelled to retire to the fort, which they had to defend through an anxious night from the attacks of an infuriated mob. In the mean time the town was fired, and a large portion of it including the Custom House, Bay Street where the principal stores were situated, an i the street to the back of it were burnt to the ground. Mr. Fontaine, planter, was murdered by the mob, und nine of the rioters were shot while attacking the fort. The Policemaster having sent for aid, a detachment of soldiers, 27 in number, under Lieutenant Ostermann was sent down about two o'clock in the morning. On reaching Frederiksted they were able to clear the town, but we regret to record that two of the men, having been left at Carlton Estate to guard a cart, were set upon and brutally murdered by the rioter. During the course of Wednesday morning the terrible news reached us that the rioters, driven from Frederiksted, were marching up the country burning the estates as they came. This diabolical work continued without cease till Friday, on which day several estates on the north side were burnt. Christiansted has been well guarded by soldiers and armed citizens. The planters, who have all been compelled to fly for their lives, have been armed to patrol the country. Yet the anxiety and confusion among the peaceable population has been fearful. Business has been entirely suspended and only partially resumed in Christiansted today.
Governor Garde with troops from St. Thomas arrived on Wednesday evening in R. M. S. Arno and passed through the island on Thursday. During this journey the rioters were attacked at Anna's Hope, Work & Rest, and Carlton. At the last named place they made a show of resistance, and many were shot. We understand that about thirty of them in all were shot at the different places named. Besides the troops from St. Thomas who have had foreign aid in the presence of the French war steamer La Bourdonnaise the English steamer Tourmaline and the French steamer Desirade, which last named vessel carried a considerable number of ladies and children to St. Thomas. The riots may now be considered to be quelled, but we are full of anxiety for the future. With about twothirds of the work and residences destroyed it is difficult to see how an already impoverished colony can possibly survive the disaster. We do not however give up all hope. The island has survived a succession of dry seasons severe enough, it might have been thought, to have ruined any colony, und it may survive this new calamity; but at the present moment the position seems almost hopeless.
It is too early to discuss the causes or consequences. The feeling aroused is too intense to make it worth while to touch on subjects that require to lie considered with calmness. What is now wanted is to get the people to work again as soon as possible. We would use what little influence we may have in trying to persuade to calm and practical views of the situation. Let all genera! denunciation be put aside, all wholesale condemnation, all idea of indiscriminate revenge. The terrible personal sufferings and looses of many will for the present make the future appear very dark; but it is still not impossible for the island to flourish again if the whole of the facts are faced and wise measures taken.
(St. Croix Avis, 5. oktober 1878)
ST. CROIX.
St. Croix, 5th October 3 p. m. No fresh disturbances or files reported since last night. The rioters have now taken to the bush and many prisoners continue to be brought in. Several of the ringleaders have been captured. The road from Bassin to Fredriksted is now open and confidence is being generally restored. The French man-of-war "Labourdonnais" on seeing a fresh outbreak of the fire left Bassin hurriedly last night and returned there this afternoon. H. M. S. "Tourmaline" arrived at Frederiksted yesterday afternoon and will remain there for the present.
THE RIOT OF ST CROIX.
(From the St. Thomas Lloyds, 3rd instant.)
THE all-absorbing topic which is just now engrossing public attention is connected with the above subject. Since our issue of last evening various reports have been in circulation, and much uneasiness felt for the safety of St. Croix. The French steamer "Desirade" did not leave, as was reported, owing to some slight defect in her machinery, She however left today at 1 o'clock.
The following telegram was received by us to-day.
"Rioters reached Anna's Hope. Soldiers and Volunteers gone meet them. Twenty estates burnt. All well, Bassin as yet."
The latest official information received to day, and placed at our disposal, we are happy to state, is of a very agreeable nature, and we take much pleasants in giving it early publicity. The telegram reads: -
"Rioters defeated at Anna's Hope; Great slaughter of rioters who are in full flight; several prisoners taken."
(4th instant)
As the public is continually on the look out for information concerning the state of affairs connected with the late riot in St. Croix, we have made arrangements to obtain the latest particulars and, such as they are, we will give them publicity immediately of their receipt. The telegrams received this morning state:
"Bassin still safe; Numbers shot; rebels cowed."
The following came to hand at 14 o'clock:
"Governor arrived in Arno from West End. Twenty prisoners. About fifty rioters killed yesterday. Road cleared. Bassin quiet. Desirade for West End thence St. Thomas refugees.
Later.
We have received the following
"French Man-of-War making for Basin."
Her Britannic Majesty's War stmr. Tourmaline, left Barbados, on the 2nd at 2 p. m. and musts, ere this, have arrived at Frederiksted.
(To-day's Lloyds.)
We have received the following telegrams from Bassin Correspondent at 11 o'clock:
Principal ringleaders caught. Rumoured executions commence to-morrow. Quiet in Bassin. Insurgents in South Side. The British steamer Tourmaline in West End."
[One of the above ringleaders is said to be a descendant of Bourdeaux, of 1848 repute. - Ed. S. Ths. Times.]
GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE RIOT IN ST CROIX.
Through the courtesy of the French Consul our representative was admitted among the few passengers who left here on Thursday last for St. Croix in the Steamer "Desirade."
The following notes have been collected hurriedly by him from trustworthy sources during his short stay at Christiansted and Frederiksted: -
The Rioters at 5:1 o'clock, on the 1st instant, entered the town of Frederiksted and marched to the Fort armed with stoues and cutlasses and attempted to gain entrance therein. On the approach of the rioters, the police who were in the Fort, fired black cartridges at them to make them disperse, but the efforts of the Police were futile and they then had to close the gates of the Fort. The rioters then went across to Robert Flynn's rum shop and set it on fire, and from thence commenced their diabolical work of ruin and rapine. Fire succeeded fire until the greater part of the town was in flames. Satisfied so far with their orgie, as regarded the town, the rioters started for the country, setting fir to the cane pieces, works, and houses, dealing destruction right and left, leaving a fiery track behind them to mark their fiendish course. As soon at the town population got over their first supor, the armed themselves with every article capable of dealing death. Patrols were formed and many drunken rioters were taken prisoners. A courier was despatched immediately to Christiansted stating their predicament and asking for immediate assistance. Lieutenant Oestermann was dispatched in the morning with the small farce that could be spared - 25 men - in a large trash cart. At Carlton two soldiers were left in care of the waggon and the detachment proceeded on its way on foot. The ronds were cleared of the rioters by the soldiers, and about ten o'clock they arrived at Frederiksted. On entering the town, martial law was read from the drum-head forbidding any three persons tto stand talking together. On the arrival of His Excellence Governor Garde, in Christiansted, he proclaimed martial law and had posters stuck up to that effect. A detachment of soldiers and volunteers, under the Command of His excellency, which left Christiansted on the 3rd for Fredericksted, killed about fifty rioters on its way. They met no opposition until they reached Anna's Hope, where a slight barricade was made and resistance attempted, but the rioters were dispersed with the first volley. The volunteers and soldiers returned in the steamer "Arno" to Christiansted yesterday and landed about 9:39 a. m. The steamer "Desirade" received all the refugees that were on board the "Arno" and sent three of her boats ashore to get ammunitions, bedding &c., for the soldiers in Fredericksted, to which place she proceeded at 2 o'clock. As the "Desirade" was leaving Christiansted, she sighted the French War Steamer "Labourdonnais" making for the port, and noticed while in sight, that she had anchored off the harbour. At about 7 o'clock the "Labourdonnais" was perceived entering the roadstead of Fredricksted, where she was ordered by His excellence to protect the town for the night. The british man-of-war "Tourmaline" was in Fredericksted when the "Desirade" arrived.
The two soldiers left with the cart at Carlton were found with their ears cut off and skulls fractured; they were burried yesterday afternoon.
During the burial, a boy flung a brick at one of the soldiers, striking him in the head; he was immediately arrested by a policeman, but he gave battle, and every one clamoured for his blood, - how it terminated nothing is known, as the boat of the Desirade left the shore at the moment.
The "Desirade" left Fredriksted at 8:30 p m. yesterday with about 100 refugees, principally women and children, for this place arriving here at 12:30. We are happy to state that besides the two unfortunate soldiers and Mr. fontaine no other life was lost.
All the young men of Christiansted and Fredericksted capable of bearing arms were called on by the Governor in his publication of the Martial law, and they responded heartily to the call. The town of Bassin is well fortified, field pieces and guards being posted at the principal entrances and patrols kept up all night. The presence of the men-of-war is sufficient protection for West End. It is supposed that operations will commence to-day in order to scout the country until all rioters are apprehended. For this purpose, the two men-of-war would be left in charge of the two soldiers and volunteers would take the field.
With the execution of rioters taken in the act of resisting the troops or of setting fire to property no one has been shot, all those made prisoners will be judged and sentenced in accordance with law.
Per schr. "Vigilant"
P. S. - later news received from St. Croix states that all prisoners taken in Frederiksted were shot.
French man-of-war arrived off Christiansted as "Vigilant" was leaving.
The principal ringleader John Lonis was brought into town by the volunteers. Between seventy and eighty rioters have up to present been shot.
(St. Thomas Times (formerly St. Thomæ Tidende), 5. oktober 1878)
Plantagen Work & Rest på St. Croix, Jacob Anton Weng (1864-1905). Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Muligvis beskyttet af ophavsret.
Den 2. oktober ankom omkring 200 arbejdere til plantagen Charlton udenfor Frederiksted. To menige som løjtnant Ostermann havde udstationeret der, blev overmandet og dræbt. Oprørerne bevægede sig nu rundt til andre plantager på øen.
Sidst på eftermiddagen ankom generalguvernør Janus August Garde med dampskib fra Sankt Croix med 2 løjtnanter, 6 underofficerer og 45 menige soldater (fortrinsvis hvervede tjenestekarle fra Danmark).
3. oktober fortsatte oprørerne, en del af mængden anført af "Queen Mary", den omkring 40-årige Mary Thomas. De nærmede sig Christiansted hvor guvernørens tropper på 25 soldater, 70 bevæbnede borgere ventede. Da landarbejderne undgik et direkte slag, blev de i stedet angrebet og skudt i hobetal, især af frikorpset.
Ud over de 2 soldater afholdt oprørerne sig fra fysiske overgreb på hvide. Standretterne afsagde 12 dødsdomme. Et ukendt antal blev skudt eller mishandlet til døde, officielt omkring 90 personer, uofficielt omkring 200. I 1880 døde yderligere 23 fængslede oprørere af fejlernæring. 74 af 98 plantager var brændt.
