1874 – On the continent, Jesse James and his gang
participated in one of the most famous train robberies in history; at Gads
Hill, Missouri, it was first time the James Gang robbed individual passengers.
Also on the continent, at Comer, Alabama, the White League
(comprised of white Alabamian Democrats), formed an armed mob and killed at
least seven black Republicans and a white Republican judge's son, injured at least
70 more and drove off over 1,000 defenseless Republicans from the polls – it
became known as the Election Riot of 1874 (also the Coup of 1874.)
But that was there, what was happening here in Hawaiʻi?
On February 12, 1874, nine days after the death of King
Lunalilo, an election was held between the repeat candidate David Kalākaua and
Queen Emma, widow of King Kamehameha IV.
This was the second election of Hawaiʻi’s leadership - the
kingdom’s Constitution stated if the monarch dies before naming a successor
“such vacancy, shall cause a meeting of the Legislative Assembly, who shall
elect by ballot some native Alii of the Kingdom as Successor”.
Therefore, the elections were held by the members of the
legislature, not the public. The
election was held in a special session of the Legislature at the old Courthouse
on Queen Street (it was almost the last official action to take place in the
courthouse.) When the vote was tallied,
Kalākaua won by a count of 39 - 6.
Emma’s supporters (referred to as the “Queenites,”
“Emmaites” or the “Queen Emma party”) were unhappy with the decision - an angry
mob of about 100 of the Queen’s followers gathered.
No outbreak occurred … until the Committee of five
representatives, which had been appointed to notify the King of his election,
attempted to leave the building and enter a carriage waiting to convey them to
the Palace.
“The crowd surrounded the carriage and laid hands on them,
and they attempted to defend themselves, as best they could without weapons,
two of them were badly wounded before they effected entrance into the building
to which they retreated.” (Hawaiian Gazette – March 4, 1874)
A riot ensued and many of the legislators were attacked,
with one subsequently dying from his injuries (Mr. Lonoaea, representative from
Wailuku, Maui.)
“An extra Police force had been enrolled the day previous,
but except from those stationed inside, little or no assistance was obtained
from the Police, who simply stood by and looked on, apparently sympathizing
with the mob. It may be added that none of them were armed even with
batons.” (Hawaiian Gazette – March 4,
1874)
The queen's followers first surrounded and besieged the courthouse. “The building was in great disorder, nearly
every window being smashed and apparently all of the furniture having been
broken. The floors were littered with mutilated books and torn papers and that
of the upper room was blood stained in several places.” (WHH Southerland)
Since the Hawaiian army had been disbanded after a mutiny
sometime before, and the militias were unreliable, there was nobody to stop the
riot. The Honolulu police force deserted and also joined in the unrest, even
fighting against each other depending on their political sympathies.
“The only
alternative, in this emergency, was to seek aid from the war vessels in port.
About half-past 4 pm, a written request was sent by Charles R Bishop (the
Minister of Foreign Affairs,) on behalf of the Government, to the American
Minister Resident, for a detachment to be landed from the US ships Tuscarora
and Portsmouth, lying in the harbor. And a similar request was transmitted to
the British Consul General.” (Hawaiian Gazette – March 4, 1874)
The request stated, “Sir: A riotous mob having unexpectedly
made a violent attack upon the Court House and the Members of the Legislature
which we have not the force at hand to resist, I have to request that you will
cause to be furnished at the earliest moment possible aid from the US ships
"Tuscarora" and "Portsmouth" to the Police, in quelling the
riot and temporarily protecting life and property. Your obedient servant, Chas. R. Bishop” (Hawaiian
Gazette – March 4, 1874)
A force of 150 American marines and sailors under Lieutenant
Commander Theodore F. Jewell were put ashore along with another seventy to
eighty Britons under a Captain Bay from the sloop HMS Tenedos.
The Americans headed straight for the courthouse, pushing
back the rioters, and placing guards, they also occupied the city armory, the
treasury the station house and the jail.
British forces marched up Nuʻuanu Valley to Emma's house
where they dispersed a large crowd. They then went back to Honolulu to man the
palace and the barracks.
“The American and English landing forces patrolled the city
for a few nights and about one week later, no other disturbances occurring in
the meantime, were withdrawn to their respective ships.” (WHH Southerland)
(The USS Tuscarora happened to be in port because it was
surveying a suitable route for a submarine telegraph cable between San
Francisco and Honolulu. They were
taking a line of deep-sea soundings at intervals of thirty miles apart between
the two ports.)
Kalākaua took the oath on February 13 (Queen Emma
immediately acknowledged him as king,) after which his right to the throne was
no longer in threat.
The image shows the old Courthouse and representation of the
Election Riot of 1874 as drawn by Peter Hurd.
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