The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 13, 1895, Page 14

14 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1895. ANOTHER CHAPTER OF THE TALE OF HORROR, Survivors of the Colima Disaster on the Colon. HEOW THE WOMEN DIED. Two of Them Clung to a Bucket for a Moment and Went Down. HATCHES CLOSED BY LUMBER. Story of Gonzalez, the Messboy. Seaman Johnson, Rescued With Him, Refuses to Talk. The Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s steamer Colon came into port early this morning. Among her passengers were Fred John- son, one of the rescued sailors of the lost Colima, and Robert Gonzalez, the steerage messboy. ‘When they left the Colima they were in a boat with two women, who were lost when the little vessel capsized. Johnson and Gonzalez saved themselves by climb- ing upon a raft and landed, after thirty- three hours, several miles from Pueblo Krusus on the Mexican coast. On the same raft with them were J. E. Cheberg, L. Peters and Enricho Baden. They saw another raft during their stormy voyage containing a man named Pazarios and Santa Maria. Johnson refused to answer any questions concerning the loading of the vessel or the probable causes of the disaster, saying that he would speak when the inspectors called him up. Gonzales, the messboy, spoke He told his story as follows: *When the boat began to rock and roll the passengers in the steerage did not seem to think much was the matter. “The boat rolled awful bad, and after a while the boatswain came to the com- panionway and told us to get out. Even then the passengers did not appear to understand that anything was serious, and went out slowly. x w two or three of them go to the companionway and come back, but I did not know why at the time. As the boat continued to roll and the water began pouring in, I ran to the ladder leading to the deck and started to go up. ‘‘After I had reached the middle of the ladder I saw why the others had come back. “They could not get out. “The lumber and other stuff on the deck had shifted to such an extent that the companionway hatch was covered up. They were like rats in a barrel. “They could not get out and had to wait there until the water came in on them. “Being familiar with the ship, I ran through fo the kitchen and crawled up the dummy waiter to the pantry above. “From there I made my way into the main cabin, which then contained two or three feet of water. “As I passed tnrough the cabin I saw several women trying to get upstairs through the hatchways, but the water kept some of them from leaving their staterooms, and others were unable to get up the stairs on account of the stuff that covered the opening on deck. We tried to save the two women in the boat with us, but when she capsized we had to scramble for our- selves. The last I saw of them they were clinging to an empty bucketl which held them up only a sec- ond and they went down without a cry or a struggle.”” The steamer Mazatlan had two of the rescued passengers on board and landed them at Manzanillo. When they arrived at the Mexican port they were taken in charge by the Mexican Government and treated kindly. They were furnished with mule trans- portation and everything needed for their comfort. Gonzalez did not know anything about the cause of the wreck beyond what may be gleaned from his statement concerning the lumber covering the hatchways. He spoke well of his treatment on board the Colon. freely. THE CARGO SHIFTED. Interesting Testimony at the In=- quiry into the Steamer’s Loss. Before the Inspectors of Hulls and Boilers yesterday the inquiry in regard to “CAPTAIN MARRYAT” CIGARS Under this brand are the “FINEST BEYOND QUESTION,” Notwithstanding the advertise~ ments of rival factories. SAmAAAAAAAA HARBURGER, HOMAN & CO., New York, Makers. H. LEVI & CO., 117-119 Market St., Oistributing Agentse the loss of the steamer Colima was contin- ued. The witnesses were from among the passengers of the lost vessel, and their testi- mony went to show that the cargo was badly stowed, and could be heard “rolling and tumbling around’ during the storm. It was also stated that everything possible had been done to save the ship, but noth- ing at all was done toward saving the passengers and crew. One of the witnesses said he was treated all right in the San Juan becanse he knew the freight clerk, but when he started in to tell about the ill treatment of other survivors in the steerage Captain Talbot cut him short. T. J. Oriel, one of the survivors, was the first witness called. He boarded the Co- lima at this port for San Benito, Mexico. “We left Manzanillo about 6 o’clock on Sunday, May 26,” said he. “About 8 o’clock a storm arose and the sea became very roagh. I had no fear of the vessel until about 8 the next morning, when she began to roll and tumble. At9 I went to the steward’s storeroom and I heard the cargo rolling and tumbling around in the hold. While I was there a quartermaster came and called the chief engineer to the captain’s cabin. When he returned I no- ticed his face was pale, and then I began to fear for the safety of the steamer. I concluded it was time to get out of the storeroom, so I made for the steerage. On my way a pile of salt fell and knocked me down. I picked myself up and wenton deck. There I saw boxes and casks rolling around. “I made my way to the climbed over.” Just then I heard three blasts blown on the whistle. A seaman told me to cut the lashings of one of the boats away. I went around the end of the boat to do so and looked down the deck— the deck was almost perpendicular then— and it seemed as if every part of the deck heaved out from the hull at once. While there I noticed that every boat was intact and in its place, and didn’t notice any at- tempt made to lower boats on that side. It was then I jumped over. I should have said before I went below we were sitting on a chicken coop or vege- table box, and the shutters to the ports forward were all open. Cattle-boxes were pushed up against them. I see the papers state that the lumber was only two feet high on the hurricane deck. Iam positive it was eighteen inches higher than the rail. When we wished to get on it we stepped on a settee, then on the arm, then on the back, and then another step took us on the lumber. We could sit on it and rest our feet on the rail. ‘‘The officers and men all stayved at their posts until the three whistles blew. They were cool aud level-headed. Every effort was made to save the ship, but nothing was done to save the passengers.” Talbot—Was there any sail on the ship? Oriel—Yes; I believe it is what they call a jibsail. 'albot—Do you know if any drag was put down astern? Oriel—I do not, sir. Phillips—Have you ary idea as to the weight of the lumber? Oriel—No, sir; it was nearly all redwood. It was both seasoned and green and may have been about forty tons. “Did you hear any explosion?’ ‘Oriel—At the time the decks wentsout I thought it might have been an explosion. “Did you see any steam ?” Oriel—Just as the smokestack began to ship water Isawa lot of steam and soot come out. “Would not that be caused by the water putting out the fires below ?” Oriel—Yes, it might. There was a con- tinuous roar, but I don’t know whether it ‘was steam escaping or not. “Did you notice if she was struck by a succession of waves?”’ Oriel—I was below until a few minutes before she went down, so I can’t say. She was careened all the time. For the last fifteen minutes she rolled badly. Long be- fore that she began to list to starboard and would not right herself. I judge that was an hour before she went down. A. J. Sutherland, a passenger who left here for Gnatemala, testified: ‘‘After we left Manzanillo it became rough and con- tinued till morning. At breakfast they had to put on the rolling-boards. It con- tinued to get worse until the time we went over. At the time we went over it was blowing a hurricane.” Talbot—Have you ever followed the sea for a living? “No, sir; but I have crossed the Atlantic. When the ship went over the last time I did not realize there was any danger until she began to go to pieces. It wasnot more than three minutes after that before the vessel sank. After the vessel sank the hurricane that followed was something terrific. Ithink it was of sufficient force if the vessel had been intact to have blown the houses off the deck. After we were in the water we had a terrible struggle for our lives and the man who had the most en- durance came out on top.” “Did you see any sail set?” “No sir; they couldn’t set any sail.” “Do you know if a drag was overboard ?” “No, sir.” “Do you think there was time to get gh?lse boats clear after it got so desperately ad 2" “The first danger was when the vessel ort rail and Iisted over and from that time to the time she went down a man couldn’t have walked the length of the steamer’s deck.” “Any insubordination ?”’ “Only a Spanish sailor refused to help to lash the skylight and Officer Langhorne ordered him out and slapped him in the face with his big soft hat and then helped to lash it himself.” McAllister—Was not the lumber tied together and did it not aid the people in the water? “It was tongued and grooved and tied together and was, should say, for a building. It aided the people.” “Were there three seas in succession when she went over on her beam ends?”’ “I don’t know; the bow swung around to the right and she went down.” “‘Have you ever been in a cyclone ?”” “Yes, sir, in Nebraska. The one we had after the wreck was 100 per cent worse than anything I ever saw.” “Were many killed by that blast 2" “There were as many as fifty or sixty people in the wreckage at the time and nearly all were lost.” “How were you treated on the Ban Juan?’ “As far as I was personally concerned I counldn’t have been treated better.” Ornel—How many survivors did you see treated well? “Mr. Cushing and myself in the cabin. I went in the steerage and heard complaints, but took no stock in the matter.” McAllister—Did the lumber break loose? “‘Just as the vessel listed the third mate cut the lashings.” & % Talbot—How long a time was it from when she was knocked down till she sunk? “It was about three minutes. The mate and I compared notes on the San Juan, and he said five minutes; but I think it was only three minutes.” Henry Bingham, master stevedore for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, said he loaded the Colima the last time she left here. “There are special orders in regard to where freight shall be put,” said the wit- ness. “My fneul foreman is James Winslow, with sub-foremen in each hold. The cargo for each port is stowed se arately, so that it may be taken out with- out breaking the stowage of other cargo. The holds were full, and there was also some cargo in the steerage.” Schwerein—Does the company exercise due Frecmnon in the stowage of its second shi “I consider that the manner of stowin an;: be‘m::t;_ Our men are wm:hes cl . plEA;e you l¥:bl=. captain?” “Yes, sir; Iam liable for neglect of my men or bad stowage.” James Winslow, foreman for Henry Bing] said the lower hold forward was rincipaily filled with flour for La Liber- r;d. He described the gtowage of the rest of the ship’s cargo. He also enu- merated the ports of call, and told how the cargo was handled at them. i “Did you see the Inspectors of Hulls and Boilers on the Colima the day she sailed?'’ “I don’t know. They might have been there and I might have been in the hold of the ship.” “Why was the lumber loaded on deck?” “I don’t know. I get the order from the mate where to put the cargo and I put it there.” *“Do you know who is liable for bad stowage 2’ “Captain Bingham has to pay for all bad stowage and broken cargo.” Harry W. Bofi'd. a passenger from San Francisco for New York, testified as fol- lows: While in portat MazatlanI had a look at the condition of the cargo in the forward hold. T also had a look while in port at San Blas and again at Manzanillo, and on all three occasions I was struck with the loose manner in which the cnrgo was stored, many of the packages being cornerways up. At Mazatlan a quantity of hay was taken out of the forward hold and acked on the hurricane deck on top of the umber. There was about three tons of it. At one of the ports we took on & wagon. This was als0 put on top of the lumber. The lumber packed on the hurricane deck reached a height of 4 feet 6 inches and was irom six feet forward of the pilot-house to the capstan. On the main deck on both sides of the ship Agulmjt of oil was stored. The ship also carried several head of cattle and horses, also & few birds, peacocks, ducks, etc. At Manzanillo & quantity of cargo was taken in and stored loosely on the steerage deck. No lashings were used in the casesIrefer to. They were stored on the port side, close to the side of the ship. Leaving Manzanillo at about 4 p. ». Sunday, May 26, the weather was good. Two hours after a fresh breeze sprang up, and atsunset all awnings were taken in. The wind strength- ened all the evening and_the ship rolled heav- ily all night. I went to sleep in a hammock at 80'clock. The heat awoke me two hours after, and I went on deck. The strong wind and rolling of the vessel caused me to change my quarters seven times while on deck, and 1 fin- ally §ave up trying tosleep at4 A. M. About 8 o’clock I went on deck, and to avoid the wet sat on top of one of the cattle-pens. 1 was there for about two hours, and finally got wet through by a wave which came through the square porthole on the starboard side. I went below and changed all my clothes. The heat 'was stifling, and the boatswain with some men were endeavoring to put some oil on the water. Very little of the oil touched the ses, as it was blown back on deck. At this time nearly all the steerage passengers were below, and were joined by the bakers, cooks and others of the crew. The loose cargo taken on board at Manzanillo shifted to starboard. Several sacks of salt X(led in the steerage also fell to starboard. At thnis time a tremendous noisei'.proclaimed the shifting of the entire cargo. This was about a guarter past 10. With every lurch of the ship I heard the rumbling in the hold. She never assumed an upright position after that. Some one on the main deck called, “All hands on deck” and I hurriea up the crowded companion- way. While there the ship took water over the starboard rail with each roll. By the aid of & hammock swung on the main deck I hauled myself to windward. At this time the quertermaster came from the after part of the ship with an ax. He went up the steps to the hurricane deck. The cases of oil stored on the port side broke loose and fell over to starboard. All the square ports on the main deck were open and one I particularly noticed could not have been shut on account of the cattle-pens being in the way. These portholes were about four feet and two feet six inches and took a large body of water with each roll. While on deck I }Jullcd up & sailor who had a life-preserver on. had an idea that he had orders to do some- thing forward, but was surprised to see him climb the rail and jump overboard. I helped three others to windward, but could not help any more as a big rush of water from the fore- castle washed those near me onto the wreck. The cries of these men warned me of my dan- ger. Talbot—Was that the first time you had any idea of danger? “‘Yes, sir. Up to that time I was confi- dent the ship would float.” The witness continued : By the aid of the fallen cargo I clambered over the rail and stood on the side. At this time the whistle blew and looking around I saw the captain’s hand on the whistle cord. Two men attempted to cut loose the boat on the port side. A tremendous crunching noise drew my attention aft and looking that way I saw the hurricane deck and the cabins com- mence to break up into small pieces. This breakage commenced astern and continued to amidships, when I took off my coat and shoes and ran toward the ship’s keel and jumped into the sea. When 1 reached the suriace again the ship was gone. WhenI came up I got hold of a bundle of shingles. “How hard was it blowing?” “I was in a blow which I considered as hard around the Cape of Good Hope.” “Are you a seafaring man ?” “No, sir.” “Any cowardice or insubordination ?”" “No, sir, except in the one instance I spoke of.” 3 “Was everything possible done 1o save life and property ?' “The [umber might have been cut away, and no intimation of danger was sent be- low and no life-preservers were given out.”” ““Was the lumber higher than the deck rail?”’ “Yes. About a foot.”” “Why did not the ship recover when the wind struck her and caused her to ca- reen 2"’ *‘She shifted cargo, and lumber on the hurricane deck held her down.” “If the ship had been on an even keel could anybody reach the life-preservers?” “No, sir. Only a very tall man could reach them.” “Did you hear anybody sworn at for helping themselves to life-preservers?”” “The steward objected to the life pre- seryers being taken down because he would have the bother of putting them back again.” ‘‘How were you treated on the San Juan?” “When I was picked up at 8 o’clock on the morning of the 28th 1 was taken to the freight clerk’s room and offered any stimalant I wanted. I puton a pair of trousers and & shirt and went around to the messroom and had a hearty meal. From that to the time we reached San Francisco I took my meals in the mess- room. On the Wednesday evening fol- lowing I was examined by the doctor and received all the attention he considered necessary at the time.”” Gustave Rowan, a passenger from San Francisco for New York, was called, but as he could speak very little English the hearing went over to this afternoon in order thatan interpreter might be secured. i SUIT FOR DAMAGES. L. R. Brewer Will Endeavor to Make the Steamship Company Suffer. L. R. Brewer of this City has announced his intention of instituting a suit against the Pacific Mail Steamship Company for damages on account of the loss of his wife and three children. Touching this sub- ject, Mr. Brewer yesterday received the following letter, which he has supplied to the CaLy for publication: PORTLAND, Or., June 8, 1895.—Mr. L. R. Brower, #608 California Street, San Francisco, Cal. —DEAR StR: Noticing that you are preparing to bring suit against the Pacific Mail on ac- count of the recent Colima disaster, you are at liberty to make use of the following testimony as regards the general criminal manner in Which this company’s Central American ships are loaded. I am actuated to send you this from the fact that I happened to be a passen- ger on the last trip of the Colima to S8an Fran- cisco and for the reason that I had a number of friends who were lost on her in this catastro- rhe, owing to what I am forced to believe was he criminal negligence of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. On Februy 8 iast the steamship City of Sydney sailed from San Francisco for Panama and way ports and carrying on her hurricane deck forward a cargo of lumber. A few days out from San Francisco she sailed in a sea as calm as & miilpond, with a strong list to star- bo ‘This was 8o much the case that it in- commoded walking on the decks, and passen- gers on that side of the ship found fault be- cause of the difficulty-of remaining comfort- ably in their berths. first officer informed me thai it was caused by the lumber deckload, and referred to it in mo very gentle terms. Later some wio ‘was_discharged and more taken on at San Blas and Manzanillo, but the ship continued to sail much like a log—one day listing clear over to starboard and the rest of the day equally as far degkfl. The lumber ‘was finally taken from the and stowed be- low, after which she sailed on an even keel. It was finally discharged at San Blas de Guate- A peculiarity of the matter was the reticence of n?:cu 'Ah:y or other officers to speak of the mlltm: hhczth-‘flmx,t m u{nneb:n the admi e lumber deck- onlysoe s, b was the cause of the en 3 Had we encountered such & storm as did the Colima, City of Sydney, without a doubt, Souid have weathered 1t o better than d. unu:ummntu factI thinkall the pas- she ur:geu of the Sydney at that time will agree with me. Yours very truly, T. H. HARLOW, 266 First street. Speaking of this matter to a representa- tive of theg CAvLL, Mr. Brewer said that he supposed the Pacific Mail Company could not expect the friends and relatives of those who were lost on the Colima to patiently submit to the result of what he considers their gross and criminal negli- gence. ¥ “I have heard from several sources that Captain Taylor told R. P. Schwerin, agent of the company and chief manager for C. P. Huntington on this cosst, that he {Taylor) was afraid to take the vessel out loaded as she was at the time she left this harbor, and that Schwerin told him if he did not like to go in the ship there were plenty of other masters on tne com- pany’s payroll who would be willing to go, and that notwithstanding Captain Taylor’s protest the deckload of lumber was not changed in any way,"” said Mr. Brewer. _ Touching the report that Mr. Schwerin stated that he thought some of the state- ments made for publication ought to be suppressed by the newspapers for the reason that excitement was so_high in the minds of some of the friends of the victims that he feared for his personal safety, and that he would not be surprised if he were attacked and murdered, simply because he Wwas the general agent of the company on this coast, Mr. Brewer said: “I do not think there is any occasion for Mr. Schwerin’s fears on that account. I do not know that anybody, except himself, has thought of the matter in that light, but I have no doubt that suits for damages will be instituted by others besides myself, and that the company which tried to make so much by carrying a dangerous cargo will find that it was a costly piece of economy.” — GEORGE BRRON WANTED, Rita Arguello Swears Out a Warrant for His Arrest for Felony. The Complainant a Daughter of the Prominent Santa Clara Cap~ italist. George Barron, an accountant of the Monitor, is wanted on a charge of felony embezzlement preferred by Rita Arguello. Judge Joachimsen issued a warrant yes- terday, and the police are now looking for the man. According to the complaint, Barron has left for parts unknown with $330 in gold and a diamond ring belonging to Rita Arguello. Behind the complaint is a story of broken promises and a record of divorce. There is also a deeper money consideration than is set forth in the com- plaint. Rita Arguello is a daughter of Luis A. Arguello, the Santa Clara capitalist, and the divorced wife of M. Noriega. Accord- ing to the story of “‘Mrs. Barron,” as Miss Arguello is known at the Miramar Hotel, Barron is a base deceiver whom every one should shun. Barron became acquainted with Mrs. Noriega some years ago and it is said by friends of both parties that it wason his account that Noriega suddenly took his departure one day in the early part of 1893 and never came back. As soon as the statutory time had passed Mrs. Noriega applied for a divorce and on May 24, 1894, Judge Hunt issuned the decree on the ground of desertion and Mrs. Noriega be- came Miss Rita Arguello once more. Shortly after the bonds of matrimony had been severed Miss Arfiuello was in- troduced as *“‘Mrs. Barron” by the man who had induced her to get the divorce. Everything went on swimmingly. It was understood among their acquaintances that a contract marriage had been entered into. The fact was never recorded, but as Barron frequently introduced her as his wife it was taken for granted such was the case. “I will not say anything about this case unless my attorney authorizes me,’” said Mrs. Arguello-Barron yesterday. “‘There is a big sensation back of this, but I won’t say anything about it until I get in_ court. That man was the cause of my leaving home when I had everything any one could want. I was my father’s favorite, but this is an outcome of being with him.” A clip~ fing from the CarLof June9 was taken rom her pocket-book and held up for in- spection. It was a telegram from San ose stating that gift deeds for valvable pmé)ert{ in San Jose had that day been filed whereby James 8., Margaret F. and Louisa L. Arguello were presented in con- sideration of “love and affection’ with the property described, by their father. ‘‘My father has given the other children this property, but I get nothing.” “When did Barron leave you?”’ was asked. “I don’t remember. I won’t say any- thing about this case, as I don’t want my pame in the papers. We were to haye gone to San Jose June 4 or 5, and my brother and sister were to meet us there, but he went away on May 28 and did not come back. But I won'’t say anything about the case until he is arrested and in court—then I will talk. He has_done things no one would think of. If I had a brother who would do as he has doneI would never sgenk to him again, butI won’t say any- thing about it until I get in court.” “Were you married by contract?’ “My attorney can_answer that. He has fot to do the n([;ht thing by me, now that he has taken advantaze of me, but I won’t say anything about it until Iam in court.” From other sources it was learned that her father had been making remittances regularly, and that Barron had been get- ting the bulk of them. In May she re- ceived $500, and after paying a few bills had $330 in gold left. Barron suggested that she let him have it for a short time. As she had done so before she gave him the coin, and also loaned him a diamond ring. A few days later she asked Barron for some money, but was put off. The next night he was gone. e From the fact that both families are well connected, it is said an effort will be made to compromise by prevailing upon Barron to make amends for his acts in other than a financial way. If he refuses to do so, the criminal charge will be pressed. e —— —— The first sermon delivered by George Whitefield, the famous Methodist, was so effective that complaints were made to the Bishop that he had driven fifteen persons mad. —_——————— Good News, Ladies. GREAT AMERICAN IMPORTING TEA CO.'S STORES Are selling MASON FRUIT JARS at greatly re- duced prices. One dozen Jars, pints, 1 box. .50c One dozen Jars, quarts, in box, .60c One dozen Jars, half gallons, {0 BOX.............80c Inspect our Improved Jelly Glasses, Ice-cre: and Berry Sets of 7 pieces—25¢c. 85¢ and 50c per set. 1 WE ARE HEADQUARTERS FOR CHOICEST TEAS, COFFEES AND SPICES. Our prices—quality considered—positively the lowest. Buying directly saves Middiemen and Peddlers’ Profits. ————— Miss Braddon’s method of novel-writing is to sit down at _her desk every morning at 9 o’clock and remain there until she has completed her task of about 3000 words. ————— To Safe Deposit Renters. The Union Trust Company of San Francisco corner of Market, Montgomery and Post streets offers to the pul for rent in the strongest, best gua; 1ij 0d 1 1’ Chicas &me‘;:mn‘fim.’é.?uml o} all kinds stored, at reasonable rates. > Prince Bismarck is y of Slav origin. His aneest.lgr emigrated to Russia in the eighteenth century and eventually became Governor of Livonia. ——————— B0oOKS BounD.—Reasonable, rapid, reliable. Binding dep’t. Mysell & Rollins, 521 Clay st.* | MORMONS ARE WANTED Their Elders Threatened With Fine and Imprisonment i in Tahiti. ALL SERVICES FORBIDDEN. Misslonary Damron Tells of the Persecutions of the French Governors. People are getting to be very unsociable on the Society Islands. The ones who are suffering are the Mormons. For over forty years they have had a large following in Tabiti and in the Tuamotu group. Now the French Governors are working to sup- press the missionaries and are accomplish- ing their ends through threats of fine, im- prisonment and banishment. Four Mormon missionaries arrived yesterday on the schooner Tropic Bird. They were J. W. Damron, W. A. Seeg- miller, his assistant, and Acting Elder T. J. W. Damron, the Mormon Missionary [Sketched from life.] Jones. The fourth was J. A. Gilbert, a Jo- sephite or member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both sects of the Mormon Church are being persecuted with equal severity. “Qur troubles began last November,” said Mr. Damron. “The world should know of the action of these French Gov- ernors; yet I hesitate to tell you the story, for fear that it might increase the severity with which my brethren are being treat- ed.” He held a hurried consultation with Mr. Scegmiller and Mr. Jones. He then de- cided to tell of some of the circumstances, but soon became so indignant and so in earnest that he disclosed his whole tale of woe: We have labored among the natives for a long time without restraint. In fact, Gov- ernor Tabanu, the executive cfficer of the Tuamotu group, encouraged us, as he said the natives who were under the Mormon teaching were more reliable and less given to drunken- ness than the others. But about a year ago last May the French Government changed the Governors and put in Governor Papino at Tahiti and Governor Martin at Fakarava, the capital of the Tua- mato grou p. Up to that time the Mormons had grown in strength during forty years. Then a change came. The two Governors were not openly hostile at first, but they gave little evidences of unfriendliness by their uncourteous recep- tion of the missionaries. When the schooner Evanelis arrived last November their opposition became open. This vessel was broughl. from San Francisco by the “Reorganized” branch of the church, who are known in Tuamotuas as the Latter-day Saints. They intendeg to use it to carry missionaries from one island to another. Governor Martin forbade the yvessel to carry the French flag, which pnczicnlli prohibited its goin§ among the islands. The American Consul interfered and the Governor had to withdraw from his position. He isesued an edict first, though, that the vessel should not used in transporting missionaries from island to island. Again he was forced by the American Consul to revoke his orders. This, of course, incensed Governor Martin hithy. He then prohibited Mormons from holding any religious services or teaching a schooi on %uin of fine, imprisonment and ban- ishment. That is the state of affairs to-day. Mr. Damron declares that the reason of the persecution is that Governor Papino and Governor Martin, who is advised by Governor Papino, desire to have only the Protestant and Catholic religions taught to the natives. He says that when his people went to Governor Martin with a petition asking the liberty to worship the Governor told him he could not recognize any faith no:i recognized in France. Mr. Damron said: This is the only excuse he would give for his cruel actions. He had nothing against our people excert that they were Mormons, and there are only Protestants, Catholics and Jews in France. We have always complied with the laws. When I first went to the islands I asked Gov- esnor Tabanu for instructions. He told me not to marry people till they had been first married by the Government. As for preaching and teaching, he said for me to go ahead so long as I did not interfere with any established sect. Tl;elele instructions I have always complied with. Nevertheless, I have been treated harshly and unjustly.” When I have expostulated I have been insulted, and it has been impossible for my people to obtain justice. We ‘are not the only suiferers, though. There has also been trouble for the Sey- enth-day Adventists. They hed a school in connection with their mission. The school was in & very flourishing condition. Not only was their preaching stopped, but they were ordered to discontinue their school. Tie rea- son given was the same that we had received. The closing of ‘the schools was opposed by Mr. Damyron. He says that he went to Governor Martin and asked if they could not continue the schools in their dwell- ings, with their own saints as the teachers. The answer was, “Not if we know it.”” He continued : Then I asked that we be allowed to continne our schools till a petition we had sent to the President of France could be heard from. This was denied us. We were told that if we opened our schools we did it our peril. ‘Why, seyeral Mormons were ordered to get out citizenshi) gepers. They were given three months in which tocomply. They were assured thatif the order was not obeyed they would be fined and imprisoned and then bnn{nhed. The greatest injustice came on April 6. From all the isiands the saints had gathered at Takaroa for their annual conference. This they had done for forty years, ana during the time of preparation there was no intimation that there would be any objection. At the last moment a letter was received for- bidding the holding of the conference. The police and acting Governor were ordered to see that it was not held, and were told to report the names of those who might take part in it. It was also announced that the American elders Who participated would be held personally responsible for any disobedience. Mr. Damron said that the punishment ‘would have been imprisonment and ban- ishment. He explained that he was not banished, but that he had been relieved by the home board from his work, and re- turned to America, because it was im- possible for him to accomplish anything ‘when even meetings in private dwellings were forbidden. The islanders were originally converted to Protestantism. Then the Mormons arrived and obtained many converts, The Catholics and Latter-day Saints came later. The Mormons suffer from the dis- advantage of a doctrinal division. In the Tuamotu group, according to Mr. Damron, there are about 700 ‘“Mormons,” 1000 “Josephites” or ‘‘Latter-day Saints,” 1000 Catholics and 700 Protestants. In Tahiti g“t natives, he said, are mostly Protes- nts. Mr. Damron and his two assistants are all men of marked intelligence. Mr. Dam- Ton was born in Utah. Heisa handsome man, with a luxuriant black beard, bright black eyes and an earnest manner. They are going back to Utah in a few days.. NEW TO-DAY—DRY GOODS. Sl At Among the Remnants ===AND=-=- Odd Lots RE DRESS GOODS IN suitable lengths for skirts, waists, children’s dresses, and some even long enough for ladies’ costumes. SILKS in waist lengths, Silks for trimmings, Silks for linings— this year’s latest styles, only the are short or color lines broken— Don’t Let This Chance Escape You. T'S A BIG THING. HALE’S REMNANT SALES ARE FAIOUS and always at= tract large shopping crowds; but this one promises to excel our previous efforts in point of attractiveness and lowness of prices. we never had so many rem= nants at one time on our hands, and to insure their im= mediate sale we have been obliged to mark them even lower than hitherto. HE Reductions in Prices vary from one-quar= ter to one-half, ace cording to the desirability of the goods. lengths LACES, HOSIERY, RIBBONS, UNDERWEAR, NECKWEAR, WASH FABRICS, TRIMMINGS, LINENS, GLOVES. DOMESTICS, Etc., Etc.,, Etc. (INCORPORATED} 937, 939, 941 MARKET STREET, BAN FRANCISCO, STORES But if you cannot do so Special Saving Sale Prices TEAS. all kinds. so ct. quality, 35 Cts. No. x. No. 2. 3 Ibs. $1.00. COFFEE" Pasha Blend; reg- MAIL ORDERS Will have prompt at- tention, under the sup- ervision of experienced grocerymen. ular price, 4o cts.; special sale price, 30 cts. person. ~o. 3. CHUTNEY, uart bottles. NO. 4. FRUITS, regular, 50 cts.; special, 35 cts. MACARONI (imported), Vermicelli and Paste; regular price, 15 cts.; this week, X0 cts. No. 5. FRENCH GLACE Not over 10 Ibs. to one Ground if you want it. - bottles, 13 kinds; regular, 75 cts.; 50 cts. Ovders for any of these goods ok va before Saturday P. M. A cup of Miner's Cocoa free at new store. Candies fresh every day, 35 f:":‘,- Saturday “after- noons, 30 cis. 426-432 Pine Street 2805 California Street 'o® 215-217 Sutter Streat 219 Montgomery Street IODIDE OF IRON. ‘ 1 1 1 1 1 « 1l i i 1 the medical Specially recomm: gelebritied of the Worsd or Berofile: (Tomors: SingnEviD: snd thecarly stages of Cossumption; mstitutional Weakness, Poorness of the Blo for stimulating and’ regulating its periodic Noné Genuine unless “BLANCARD" | E. Fougera & Co., N. ¥.and all Druggists. ' § | its course. meisERERUCTINSLE Daumiana. CAPES, SUITS, SILK WAISTS, JACKETS, Etc. ARMAND CAILLEAU, 46-48 GEARY STREET, Corner Grant Avenue. A LADIES' GRILL RODM }Ihs been established in the Palace Hetel ION ACCOUNT OF REPEATED DEMANDS made on the management. It takes the piace of the city restaurant, with direct_entra: Market st Ladles shopping will find this » mams desirable place to o Junch. Prom erate charges, such as have given the gentiemen Grillroom an ‘international reputation, will p:vl;. n this new department. pt service and mod- Bitters The Great Mexican Gives health and swength i@ the Sexual Orzana. Depot, 323 Market St,, 8, Fu In the first place 4