Saturday, August 10, 2013

► The Riot at Election of Kalakaua

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Wednesday, January 21, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"

     Another historic letter was written February 12, 1874, by Marie P. Chamberlain to her Hilo daughters just four days after the letter relating the death of King Lunalilo.

     "You have no conception of what we have been passing through yesterday and today. Indeed we knew all this week that Queen Emma was holding mass meetings with Pahu Kula for her spokesman & Philipo also. he made great promises to the people and gained largely in numbers and influence. Thursday the legislature met at the Court House and a majority of 40, was given favor of D. Kalakaua and only SIX for Q. Emma.

     "It was about 2 p.m. when the question was decided and Major Moehonua and another person were directed to convey the information to the King.

MOB FORMS
     "There was a tremendous dark cloud coming down over the faces of the people who has filled the yard, which instantly broke out into a mob, and when the appointed persons got into the carriage, the horse was seized by the head, the top of the carriage was twisted of, Major was pulled out and thrown over the fence and was considerably injured.

     "Then the mob rushed into the court house breaking everything before them and fell pell-mell  on the legislature, using clubs and stones, chairs and everything they could get hold of and broke the sash and windows all to pieces.


Honolulu Court House Election Riot, 1874

     "One man was thrown out the second story window and fell on an outside trap door and Mr. Tomm Martin in a effort to shield his nephew in (Maria Kekelia's husband) from being thrown out of the window, received a wound on his hand.

     "Mr. Kipa of Hilo is very dangerously hurt, and is feared fatally.

     "18th Sat. 3 p.m. I have baked and I have starched, and have just eaten dinner and must now hasten to close this letter.

     "If it had not been for a kind overruling Providence, in ordering the three men of war should be here just now, we might have had much more serious times that we have had.

FOREIGN AID
     "We are under foreign military protection just now.

     "Mattie and I rode down town yesterday p.m. to see the dilapidated Court House... On our way home I called up Mr. Moehonua's and left my aloha for him and Mr. Kipi. There is still hope for them.

     "I must now stop for it is time to dress and go down to the Nettle for we have made a cake for the Captain today.

     "I hope there will be no outbreaks at the other islands but may we all abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

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