LATER NEWS FROM PITCAIRN.
By Editor
WE have received the following letter from Brother E. C. Chapman, of Tahiti. Our readers will remember that the first of Elder Gates’ communications was dated Pitcairn Island, September 4; the latter bore date of September 17. This letter of Brother Chapman’s seems to give later news. The fact that Captain Machelli was on the island so short a time would account for the omission of the names of Brother and Sister Gates and Sister Andre. About the first of last September, Captain Machelli sailed from Tahiti for Pitcairn Island to get a little child of his that was on the island. His wife remained here in Papeete, and received from him a letter November 14, which was mailed at Mangareva, in the Gambier Group, in the month of October. It is from this letter, which Mrs. Machelli kindly showed us, that we gather the following, which we fear is all too true:— In the latter part of April, a large vessel was wrecked on the little island of Oeno, which lies about 75 miles from Pitcairn. The crew escaped to Pitcairn Island. From this vessel the Pitcairn islanders took a fever, which gradually spread among the people, so that this fair spot was transformed into a place of suffering and sorrow such as the people had never experienced before. Old and young, one by one, fell victims to the malady, and as a result of the plague, the wife of our brother J. R. McCoy lies sleeping in the graveyard, and his much loved daughter Ella May has also passed away. Simon Young, for so long the beloved pastor, who has been a father of his children to the third generation, and a blessing to all who came his way, has fallen asleep to rise no more till the resurrection morning. One of his sons was also reported as dead, and also his daughter Rosa, with whom we are all somewhat acquainted, was dangerously sick at the time of Mr. Machelli’s visit. The family of Elias Christian was bereft of a father and the mother was also very sick. Many others were suffering, and others had died whom Mr. Machelli did not know. As he was on the island but twenty-four hours he could render but little assistance. He wrote that the people were dying for want of knowledge, as they had no medicine nor anyone who knew how to give it if they had. Brother and Sister Read made every possible effort to go to Pitcairn, but by some unknown influence the way was hedged up. Neither the love of money nor the cause of humanity could secure a passage for them on a vessel which sailed to Mangareva. We received no word from anyone on the island, which is a little strange, as several had promised to write every time there was opportunity. Not a word was said concerning Elder Gates’ family nor Sister Hattie Andre. We hope that in some way this report may prove untrue, and anxiously await some word from there. This sad experience makes us wish that there was a medical missionary stationed in these islands, and a little cutter that could run here and there in the good work. These little boats of about 25 tons’ burden run back and forth among these islands trading with the natives; and could not one do excellent work for the King of kings?