DEATH OF THE GOVERNOR OF A LEPER SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5323, 18 April 1878, Page 3

DEATH OF THE GOVERNOR OF A LEPER SETTLEMENT.

The death of a remarkable man, William Ragsdale by name, late governor of the leper settlement on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, is announced by the San Francisco Chronicle. Ragsdale was by birth, but spoke English fluently. His position in the kingdom .was very high, but he resigned it voluntarily when he realised the terrrible blow which nature had dealt him. The manner in which he discovered that he was one of the“ unclean” is interesting in a scientific sense. He lived for a number of years on the island of Hawaii, and had au office at Hilo, the capital. One night he was studying intently," when the glass chimney of his lamp fell on the table. Although the chimney was hot, in the excitement of the moment he picked it upland set it in its place without experiencing the least inconvenience. He reflected for an instant, looked at his hand, but could not discover the least sign that it had been burned. He then took off and put on the chimney repeatedly, and with the same painless result. This experience convinced him that he was among the afflicted, and he lost no time in communicating with the authorities. A medical examination was made, and he was found to be affected with leprosy. Owing to his high position he wasl not arrested by the police, as is the practice, with regard to suspected lepers, but he voluntarily delivered himself up as a. victim ;of the' terrible disease. He ■ was then sent to Molokai, and installed as governor of the leper settlement, which position he held for a number of years up to the time of his death the other day. During his administration of affairs he was as successful as he was popular. There are about 800 lepers on the settlement, but by his tact and kindheartedness Ragsdale made one of the saddest communities on the face of the earth as cheerful and happy as such people could hope to be. By his advice the Government made many reforms, and the lepers looked upon him as a father. He married a young native woman, remarkably handsome, who survives him. Ragsdale was her third husband ; the two former having died of leprosy. She herself enjoys perfect health.