Stories from Deli

Java Bode 10-10-1895 Medan, October 2, 1895 I am happy to report that the cholera outbreak here has subsided since my last letter. The disease has gradually decreased, and only a few isolated cases have been reported on some plantations, while no new cases have been reported in Medan recently. Fortunately, the situation did not…

Java Bode 19-09-1895 September 7, 1895 The month of August, which is marked on every calendar that notes the birthdays of the now-reduced royal family, is considered the festive month, and for ’95, it is again part of the past, along with the name days of our two queens. Although the birthday of the queen…

Java Bode 29-08-1895 August 21, 1895. Anyone entering Deli should keep their expectations very low, expecting little to be pleasantly surprised. Approaching Deli from the sea, one first sees nothing but partially submerged high and low trees. It’s unclear where one will land until the mouth of a small river appears, requiring careful navigation, especially…

Zutphensche courant 25-08-1891 We obtained the following from a private letter from Deli: Not even eight days ago, I wrote to you, but since then, I have had the suspicion that you did not receive the letter. I had given permission to the gardener of the Tandil of Congsie to go to Medan, and I…

Bataviaasch handelsblad 26-11-1880 The assistant resident of Deli recently traveled to Laboean Deli to collect lease payments. While there, he was visited by the djaksa (a legal officer) who, on behalf of the Sultan, conveyed that the Sultan had heard from the resident that the assistant resident informed the resident that the Sultan had received…

Sumatra Courant 01-08-1874 We were now forced to ask our followers to carry the luggage themselves. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before the Si Baja of Baroe-Djabai, having learned of the difficulties we were facing, sent his eldest son with a large number of Bataks to meet us. They immediately picked up our goods and…

Sumatra Courant 25-07-1874 The next morning, we continued our journey to Salah-Boelao, always heading southwest. This part of the road rises at least five hundred feet. We encountered two steep sections that were terrifying and difficult to pass even on horseback. Another path, which the horses were led along, is even less advisable, as it…

Sumatra Courant 22-07-1874 None of the houses had windows, so there was constant darkness inside. The population consisted of Bataks; however, the men’s clothing was very similar to that of the Malays. The Malay sarong and headscarf, and the Malay language, which was spoken clearly, would make one think that they were in a Malay…

Sumatra Courant 18-07-1874 After I confirmed that two prahus, carrying the Si Baja of Boekoem and the Kedjoeroeban of Senembah, along with their entourage, had set off, I mounted my horse. I arrived in Perljoet at 7 o’clock in the evening after riding quickly and stayed there the following day because the prahus had not…

Het Vaderland 02-10-1876 The Hague, 30 September. Twice, Mr. Wintgens spoke during the session of the Lower House on Tuesday, the 11th. First, he addressed the issue of primary education. What he said about that education left a very unpleasant impression on us. The same man who, before his re-election as a representative, indicated that…