Stories from Deli

Java Bode 03-07-1897

Medan, June 24, 1897

I have kept you waiting for quite some time for any news from me, which can fairly be attributed to the fact that there was little or nothing to report. However, upon reviewing my list, I find that quite a few points have gradually accumulated that may interest some of your readers. So I will take a chance and begin with one of our most intriguing cases, namely, the murder case of Mr. Kat.

I call it intriguing, but I should really say tragic, for it is a tragic case and the stage it has reached is equally tragic, as was the manner of its handling.

To the casual observer, it seems as though the case has been put on the back burner, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and because it took so long for the case to actually come to trial, our president of the land council is now faced with bundles of papers full of conflicting statements, through which it will be difficult to find a way out, as if in a second labyrinth. Or yes, there is always one way out for such cases in the Indies, namely, that of “koerang trang” (insufficient evidence), but we, the residents of the East Coast, will gain little from that in this case. The issue is that the accused, who had previously repeatedly confessed to everything, now, thanks to his long stay in various prisons and his interactions there with other convicts who are more familiar with the loopholes in our legal system, denies everything and retracts his previous confessions. He now claims that all the incriminating testimonies against him, which are also less than favorable for Mr. R., who is involved in the case, are untrue. At the time of the crime, he now claims, he was sleeping in Mr. R.’s carriage and knows nothing of the events. He asserts that his previous confessions were more or less coerced by various higher and lower officials and that the witnesses were motivated by the $1,500 reward for bringing him in.

The indictment was made in secret a few days ago, that is, in a closed session; but what is secret in our Insulinde? It is claimed that the indictment calls for the death penalty, and there are even those who now say that the outcome will be “acquittal.” For Deli, this would certainly be a sad conclusion to this perkara (case) and a blow to our prestige. What will happen if, in the capital of Sumatra’s East Coast, a European can be killed at dusk on one of the busiest roads with impunity?

While I am on the subject of perkaras, I should also mention that the theft case involving the Deli Company is progressing poorly. The defendant is also a very cunning individual; when confronted during an interrogation with many incriminating charges against him, he managed to argue that there was not a shred of evidence against him, as in Batavia, for example, one can purchase as many incriminating testimonies under oath against someone as desired for a quarter. It’s the thousandth or so proof that our Dutch laws are not suitable for our somewhat darker-skinned brothers.

Much commotion was also caused by the death of an assistant from a very remote plantation who, after a journey full of obstacles in a cart accompanied only by a few locals, passed away. Guilt is an ugly thing, as it was again demonstrated here, for everyone involved in the matter now claims that they did their duty, or even more. Meanwhile, the victim of all this duty lies in the cemetery, mourned by a mother in Holland who surely did not foresee the end that awaited him when she saw her son leave for Deli.

As you may know, our resident is making a trip to Java, and in the meantime, the residence is being equipped with electric lamps. The preliminary installation by the firm Langereis is nearly complete, and it will probably not be long before our street lighting is replaced by electric lighting. The Manilla Band has also been here for quite some time now and often performs. The music is quite satisfactory, although the repertoire is limited, so we hear the same tunes played quite frequently. We are currently awash in music, as the garrison band remains as tireless as ever and plays vigorously. Unfortunately, due to the many changes among the musicians, the quality of the music remains at the same level or rather, the same low level, despite plenty of practice.

For the many parties and gatherings that are currently in vogue, having two sets of musicians is a fortunate circumstance. This month began with a celebration at the palace of His Highness the Sultan of Deli, in honor of the resident’s departure. Although organized in haste, it was a lively party that lasted into the morning of the following Sunday and where much dancing took place.

Moreover, on the 22nd of this month, we had a splendid celebration in “the Witte,” in honor of the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, for which the English community here deserves all the credit. There is also an upcoming performance by the young non-commissioned officers’ association “Wilhelmina,” not to mention the usual reunion evenings and an upcoming concert.

So there is plenty of life here, further enlivened by a Chinese wajang and the Komedie Stamboel. I mention the comedy last because it is a sad parody of a comedy and has already been renamed “Komedie Janboel” by the well-known Deli humor.

The Chinese, who leased the receipts, will probably find the balance less favorable, and for the residents around the esplanade, it will be a true relief when this noisy music comes to an end.

As for the Chinese wajang, I have nothing to report; it is just as before: the same amount of noise and the same incomprehensible jumps and movements as always. There was also, as before, a performance for the Europeans of the area, where it was very crowded and very warm. However, it has been very hot everywhere here lately, and along the roads, one can fully enjoy the cheaper type of dust that rises in clouds and freely enters your throat and lungs. Within Medan, this is somewhat mitigated by the sprinkling carts, which, now that the cattle plague has subsided, tirelessly traverse our streets, but longer walks are less pleasant. The importation of cattle is still prohibited, and our butchers are charging high prices.

Without noticing it, I can now move from walking to the railway, to tell you, if you are not already aware, how the Deli Railway Company plans to expand its network in both directions. The expansion toward Tamiang is of particular importance. It is strange that this has to be done on private initiative in such a thriving region as the East Coast, but it is fortunate that private initiative is still sufficiently present. While on Java and elsewhere, so much is done by the government for railways and other roads, private initiative here will certainly be able to count on all possible support from the government.

This expansion is also of great importance in view of the peace in the Tamiang region and our current policy in Aceh.

The expansion toward Serdang will be a boon for the increasingly successful coffee plantations there, as despite the large sums that are supposedly spent on roads here, transportation means are generally poor.

On Sunday, the 20th of this month, the Reijnst brought in about 60 shipwreck survivors from a Chinese coastal boat that had wrecked in the Strait of Malacca. There were 200 people on board, so more than half perished in the waves. The European captain and an engineer were also picked up by the crew of the Reijnst, which was alerted to the disaster by the sight of drifting cargo. Apparently, the disaster was caused by overloading and carrying too many deck passengers.

Other than this, there is not much of note to report from here. As before, there are occasional murders of locals and Chinese on the plantations, sometimes interrupted by an attack on a European. Recently, there was another incident on one of the upstream plantations of “Franco-Deli,” where the administrator and also the head administrator did not escape unscathed, but I will not bore you with the details of this case, as with any other similar perkara, but will instead conclude here.

X.