Interesting Pacific History

Jonas M. Coe

Letter to the Editor.

THE paragraph in your August issue, containing an implication of beach combing, is resented by the members of the Coe family resident in New Guinea.

Jonas M. Coe was a University man, American Consul in Samoa, and for long years held a very high and responsible position with the biggest German firm in Apia, and was an accomplished linguist.

His brilliant daughter, afterwards “Queen Emma,” owned the most extensive plantations in N.G., and also steamers and auxiliary schooners to carry produce from her plantations. She and other daughters and sons of Jonas M. Coe pion eered this Territory when natives were dangerous, necessitating an armed guard around their homesteads every night, and some days, too.

William Coe, son of Jonas, was for years Governor of Guam, and was decor ated by the then President of the United States for bravery and gallant conduct during the disastrous hurricane, when six warships were wrecked at Apia. He (William Coe) died recently in the Philip pines, leaving a large estate. His three daughters, well respected ladies, each manages her own plantation in N.G. —no easy task for anyone these days.

I am, etc.,

Pago Pago.

New Guinea, 20 Oct., 1934. [EDITORIAL NOTE.—The article to which our correspondent refers was a report of a law case in Samoa, affecting the estate of the late Jonas M.

Coe. The writer remarked that some of the evidence recalled “the good old beach-combing days.” No one who knows anything of Pacific history would associate Jonas M. Coe with beach combing.]