Dwellers on Lonely Baltic Isle are Sticklers For Independence

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5618, 6 April 1931, Page 10

Dwellers on Lonely Baltic Isle are Sticklers For Independence

NO CRIME AND ONLY 50 CENTS A HEAD TAX KEEP lIEMSO CONTENTED. STOCKHOLM. An island community, of origins lost in tho haze of legend, governing itself out in the Baltic Sea on a tax bill of about half a dollar a head, is still proudly holding itself apart from the remainder of the Swedish nation, to which it rightfully belongs. The little island of Hemso, nicknamed the “Isle of tho Righteous,” with an area of live by four miles, lies oil the Province of Angcrmanland on the cast coast of Sweden. Its population, numbering about 450 persons, is said to be descended from a Swedish nobleman, who, owing to unknown circumstances. left the mainland to live as an exile on tho then desert island. When this happened is not known, since the medieval records have' been destroyed by fire. Nevertheless, the islanders arc a proud people, and although their pedigree is not quite clear, their later history shows deeds of valour and courage. During the Swed-ish-Russian War in 1809 a small Russian fleet anchored off tho island of Hemso and began to occupy the stretch along the coast, but the islanders, having formed a little army, captured the Russian positions and their adversaries, including a Russian general. The same pride and independence was shown by these islanders some 80 years ago, when the parishioners began building a new church. They were told that the design had to be approved by the state authorities. The design was sent in, but was not passed. The islanders nevertheless went on with their church construction until it was completed and also used it for their services without any official acknowledgement. In 1925 the Bishop of tho diocese was asked to preach, which he agreed to do on condition that the pulpit should be moved according to his direction. A conflict arose and the islanders wrote to the King stating their case. Finally tho Bishop preached in the Hemso church.

The only Crown officer of the island is the sheriff, who is also a fisherman. He has virtually no official duties to perform. The taxes, such as they arc, are paid voluntarily, and no disturbances are ever heard of. There is no prison or jail. Hemso, as far as social order is concerned, certainly goes far to deserve its name of “the Isle of the righteous.”