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
Guvernørhuset i Christiansted. Årstal ikke angivet. Det Kongelige Bibliotek.
"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.
Markedspladsen i Frederiksted. Årstal ikke angivet. Det kongelige Bibliotek.
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.
"THE AVIS"
CHRISTIANSTED, ST. C R 0 i X
Wednesday 9th October 1878.
Since our last issue tho inhabitants of this town have been gradually recovering from their alarm, and business is now completely resumed. Vague rumours are passing about that the rioters are still together in largo numbers in the north-west, and the troops are now in that quarter. Our own opinion is that the rioters will not he seen. Before this they have probably slunk away to their various estates in the hope of passing themselves off as quiet and well-aflected labourers. On Sunday, troops and volunteers from each of the towns passed through the island to the centre and found all quiet. Yesterday a detachment left this town in carts for the north-west hills but we have not heard any particulars of their progress. A rumoured burning of cottages at "Betty's Hope" on Sunday turned out to be false; the smoke so interpreted came from burning meegass heaps at "Manning's Bay". The firing of this megass was probably the work of individual malice, and not of an organized band. Numbers of prisoners continue to be brought in, and a gang who escaped to Tortola in a boat have been captured in that island. The trials were commenced on Monday, on which day three of of the prisoners were condemned to death and were shot in the court yard of the fort.
We learn that the three prisoners executed on Monday, by sentence of Court Martial, were James De Silva, from Upper Love, a native of Antigua, of the English Church. John Louie, from Lebanon Hill, a native of St. Croix, of the Moravian Church. Joseph Paris, from Castle, a native of Barbados, of the Roman Church. For nearly an hour before the execution, the wretched criminals had the ministrations of their clergymen, Messrs. Branch, Franze, and Guilbot, who were with them in separate rooms, and who attended them to the place of execution. They were shot in the yard of the fort. These three were, it is certain, among the most notorious of the criminals. Wo are told they evinced great panitence for their crimes.
(St. Croix Avis, 9. oktober 1878)
9. oktober 1878:
ST: CROIX
THE Danish schooner Petrel, arrived here, yesterday from Fredericksted, St. Croix, bringing about forty passengers, most of whom are sufferers from the late riot. We have spoken to some of them who informed us that the distress is great and that provisions
are scarce and dear.
(From the St. Thomas Lloyds, 7th instant.)
\We have been authorised to publish the following extract from a telegram sent by the commandor of the "Labourdonnais"' to the French Consul here:
"Situation Meilleure. Insurrection Decroissante."
We leant that last night the estate " Betty's Hope," was burnt. The Arno arrived last night from Bassin, bringing a few passengers and returned again at one o'clock.
The following telegram received by us at 1 p. in. from our Special Correspondent, we are glad to say, in quieting, and it is with pleasure thai we lay it before our readers:
"If anything important will advise - Prisoners coming in hourly and all quieting down"
" All well. Court martial commence today."
The above private telegram, was received at 10 o'clock this morning and kindly placed
at our disposal.
LATER
(From the West India & Panama Telegraph Co.)
St. Croix. 7th October. - In St. Croix confidence is restored and business was resumed in Bassin this morning. The total number of estates destroyed is estimated at sixty but many of the works have escaped destruction.
Twenty estates are unarmed.
The rioters have taken to the hills on the extreme north-west side on Saturday night, and the negro village of Betty's Hope was fired yesterday noon.
Only one planter and two soldiers have lost their lives. Other planters who were reported murdered have since made their appearance.
The volunteers and soldiers have captured about one hundred and fifly prisoners, who are being tried by Court Martial today.
Three of the ringleaders have just been shot in the fort yard at Bassin.
Our Special sent us the following at 3:30 this afternoon.
"First three prisoners just shot more it is said will follow to-morrow - Work is being resumed on the estates in this quarter."
(From yesterday's Lloyd.)
The following extract of a private letter, dated Basin 7th instant, has been kindly communicated to us;
"The volunteers are constantly bringing in numerous prisoners in both towns. The rioters are so scared at the consequences of their rising that they themselves detect and hand in their ringleaders "
Extract of a private telegram received here this afternoon:
"Good news from the country. Burnt works examined by competent Engineers, not irreparable. Damage can be put in order in a few weeks. The bulk of the planters, at first, were undoubtedly panic stricken, and had they only rallied together and done on the 2nd and 3rd inst., what they are doing now, many of the 64 Estates burnt, or more in less damaged, would have been spared, and not unlikely some of them at work grinding to-day."
LATER.
(From the West Indian and Panam Telegraph Co.
St. Croix. 8th October, 3:30 p. m. - Every tiling is quiet.
The reported burning of tlie negro village of Betty's Hope is contradicted.
The fire seen in that direction was Manning's Bay meegass.
Troops and volunteers left Bassin at 7 a. m. to capture the rioters hiding on the north side.
LATEST
Our special at St. Croix telegraphed to us this afternoon:
"All quiet. Confidens is restored throughout the island"
(St. Thomas Times (formerly St. Thomæ Tidende)
Avisen oplyste endvidere at der var iværksat indsamlinger til de berørte plantere.
THE AVIS
CHRISTIANSTED, ST. CROIX
Saturday 12th October 1878.
Although wo have now returned to a state of comparative security and quiet, the sole topic of conversation is still the late insurrection, as the riots are generally termed. It is difficult after all to say which is the correct name. While there is evidence to show that many perhaps most, of the disturbers of the peace merely contemplated revenue for real or supposed injuries in the past, and a rise of wages for the future, there is also evidence to show that some of the ring- leaders, in their ignorance, really contemplated what they called taking the island. From the first point of view, we should call the disturbances riots, from the latter, they amounted to an insurrection. What, ever name wo use, the sad story remains as the darkest page in the history of this island.
From personal observation and ful inquiries made in various quarters we are now able to give a tolerably complete list of properties destroyed, Leaving out all those where sugar making was not carried on, the properties destroyed were
1. Castle Coakley,
2. Diamond & Ruby,
3. Work & Rest,
4. Strawberry Hill,
5. Barrenspot,
6. Clifton Hill, (works saved)
7. Slob,
8. Fredensborg Kings Hill
9. Bethlehem,
10. Blessing,
11. Anguilla,
12. Castle Bourke,
13. Lower Love,
14 Golden Grove,
15. Adventure,
16. Paradise,
17. Mannings Bay,
18. Betty's Hope,
19. Mt. Pleasant & Plessen,
20. St. Georges,
21. William's Delight, (works saved)
22. Enfield Green,
23. Carlton,
24. Whim,
25. Concordia, (west)
26. Good Hope,
27. Wheel of tune
28. Diamond, (works saved)
29. Mt. Victory
30. Punch
31. Nicolas, (works save
32. Annally,
33. Montpellie
34. Mt. Stewart (works save)
35. Two Friends (works saved)
36. Grove PIace
37. Big Fountain
38. River,
39. Hermitage,
40. Upper Lov
41- Mount Plei
42. Jealousy
43. Canaan,
44. Mon Bijou,
45. Lebanon Hill,
40. Glynn, (works saved)
47. Concordia,
4S. Morning Star,
49. Dolby Hill, (Montpellier,)
50. La Vallee,
51. Rust up Twist, (works saved)
Strawberry Hill. En af de plantager som blev ødelagt under opstanden. Årstal ikke angivet. Det Kongelige Bibliotek.
Besides these, the following buildings were destroyed: Glynn Factory Station, the weigh-house at Peter's Rest Station, the school aud teacher's house at Mt. Victory, the police station and school house at King's Hill, and the residences at Peter's Rest, Negro Bay and Allandalo.
The other properties in the island which escaped destruction, not including east end estates which were never threatened, are as follows :
1. Orange Grove & Beeston Hill,
2. Little Princess &.Golden Rock,
3. La Grande Princess,
4. St. John's,
5. Judith's Fancy,
6. Constitution Hill,
7. Annas Hope,
8. Sion Farm,
9. Sion Hill,
10. Rattan,
11. Mary's Fancy,
12. Bonne Esperance,
13. La Reine,
14. Granard, & Cane Garden,
15. Jerusalem
16. Hope
17. Two Brothers
18. Williams
19. Sprat hall
20. Butler's Bay,
21. La Orange,
22. Prosperity, (west)
23. Little La Grange, & Jolly HilI,
24. Hogensborg,
25. Orange Grove, (west)
26. Oxford,
27. Becks Grove,
28. Spring Garden.
If we add to those the eight estates where tho works were spared, we have thirty-six works standing and forty-three destroyed. This is therefore not so bad as our first rough estimate that two-thirds of the works were destroyed. If we suppose that the absolutely essential outlay in order to go on again is on an average $3,000 for each set of works, we get $129,000 as the total required. This does not include putting up same kind of temporary residence for the manager, which in some cases will be absolutely necessary. We do not mean of course that the comparatively small sum we have mentioned represents the loss to the island. Omitting all consideration of the immense losses in West End town, we have in the country to take account of the great quantities of rum sugar and molasses lost, an the injury done to the cane fields. We cannot pretend to estimate these items, but they would amount to a formidable sum.
Familie der laver mad ved vestenden af St. Croix nær plantagen Jolly Hill. 1906. Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Muligvis beskyttet af ophavsret.
The pecuniary losses are not all that we have suffered by this sad affair. Many families have had to flee from their homes at short notice, some of them moving with them sick members at
great risk. In one case a family consisting mostly ot ladies had to hide in adjoining canes, and while so hidden found to their horror that the canes had been set on fire. In another remote quarter, the ladies and children concealed themselves in the bush while the marauders burnt down their residence and retired. It is said by some that there was no intention among the rioters to take life; but we fear that this is a very doubtful point. That only one life was taken was probably owing to the fact that people who fell themselves in danger got out of the way. The brutal treatment of Mr. Fleming's son at Allandale does not evidence much inclination to mercy on the part of the ringleaders. This young lad was in no position of authority and could
not possibly have injured any of them, yet when he appealed to them for protection they replied by knocking him down, beating him so severely that, the fingers on one hand were broken, his head cut and his whole body covered witth bruises. Another case, that a retail dealer in the country, shows the same spirit. She had a slight dispute with a women who went away and returned with a man, and the two set upon the poor creuture, broko one arm, bruised her fingers in getting oft'her rings, beat her. and left her on the floor nearly dead. In the mean time a following of these brutes helped themselves from the little shop. Such horrors as these mean n loss of peace and confidence for some time to come, which it is impossible to express in figures, but is nevertheless not the least of our losses. We are glad to find that the people on most estates are again at work, and that provisions aro being carted for the weekly allowance, and we sincerely hope that wo shall shortly be going on as usual. When the normal condition of things is established, the next consideration will be how to surmount the difficulty of preparing for the coming crop. Among the few consolations we have at the present time, one of the brightest is tho deep and active sympathy which has been awakened in the sister island of St. Thomas, which wo have received not only endless messages of enquiry and condolences, but, as will bo seen in another
paragraph, a handsome amount in cash
raised to assist those who have guttered by the late sad events.
Three criminals, sentenced by Court
Martial to be shot, were executed on
Wednesday. They were
Augustus George, of Castle, born in St. Croix.
Jehu Adam, of Morning Star, born in
St. Thomas.
Henry James, of Windsor, born in
St. Eustatius.
All belonged to the English Church,
but the Rector of St. John's Church was assisted in ministering to them in their last moments by the Lutheran and Moravian Pastors in this town.
Two criminals were executed in West End on Thursday, and two yesterday, but we do not yet know their names.
The merchants of St. Thomas with that
wonderful liberality which characterizes
them, and which we in St. Croix have experienced before now, have nobly responded to the efforts made by Messrs G.
O. Gyllick and P. A. Cameron to collect
immediate aid for the sufferers in this
island. In two or three davs, tho large
sum of $3,705 has been raised, of which
the Rector of the English Church and the
Lutheran Pastor have been informed by
telegram. We shall give in our next particulars of the formation ot Relief Committees here and in West End.
For the present we merely assure our
kind friends in St. Thomas of the deep
gratitude we feel, and of the fact that a
large part ot the amount sent over by
them has been at once forwarded to West endin cash and in provisions.
May He, who does not forget "a cup of cold water only", given in His name, abundantly reward "seven fold into their bosom", those who have remembered us in our need.
(St. Croix Avis, 12. oktober 1878)
