Warren Terhune
Encyclopedia
Warren Jay Terhune was a United States Navy
Commander, and the 13th Governor of American Samoa. Terhune was born in Midland, New Jersey, and lived in New Jersey
most of his life when not posted elsewhere. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy
in 1889, and graduated as a Lieutenant in 1899. He was stationed on numerous ships, and held command of various ships and stations throughout his career. His most notable command posts include the Seventh Naval District of South Florida and the Naval Air Station Key West
within his jurisdiction. His largest engagement came when President
William Howard Taft
ordered the United States Marine Corp to Nicaragua
in an attempt to put down a rebellion there, primarily out of the city of Managua
. Terhune commanded the USS Annapolis
, which landed hundreds of troops to quell the violence and protect American civilians and property.
On June 10, 1919, Terhune became the Governor of American Samoa; his governorship was wrought with problems and controversy. He revamped taxation on the island. He also took a number of steps to limit the power of the indigenous Samoans
, believing they were not fit to govern themselves. He removed several local leaders from power, and outlawed marriages between United States Navy sailors and Samoan women. His actions helped lead to the anti-imperialistic Mau movement
, stemming from perceived racism and a belief that the marriage law promoted anti-Christian
promiscuity. In addition, his two executive officer
s sympathized with the Mau, leading his first to file a complaint with the Secretary of the Navy. An inquiry was launched to the island, but before it could get there, Terhune, plagued with depression and health problems, committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart on November 3, 1920 at noon. He is the only Governor of American Samoa to have died in office, and it is rumored that he still haunts the grounds of the Government House.
on May 3, 1869. He lived in Hackensack, New Jersey
. Terhune was a vice-president of the Holland Society of New York. He received the Order of the Bust of Bolivar from Venezuela
in 1909.
on May 19, 1885. He became a Lieutenant on March 3, 1899. He served on the USS Kearsarge
from 1889 to 1891, the USS Cushing
from 1891 to 1894, the staff of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
in 1894, the USS Terror
from 1896 to 1899, and the USS Buffalo
in 1901. He fought in the Spanish–American War, but was teaching during World War I
.
He achieved the rank of Commander in 1911. He commanded the Seventh Naval District until October 1917, when he became the Commandant
of Dunwoody Naval Training School in Minneapolis. While at the Seventh District, he also commanded the Naval Air Station Key West
.
On at least one occasion, Terhune acted as counsel in a court martial, for Captain Franklin Steele Wilste of the United States Marine Corps
, who was accused of failing to pay for uniforms, clothing, liquor, and other items.
armed forces in Managua
, President
William Howard Taft
dispatched the Marines
to the city. Terhune first landed a force of 365 men for the initial police action. Later, his force of 40 sailors and 10 marines attempted to break out of Managua and back to their ship, the USS Annapolis
, anchored in Corinto, Nicaragua
. From there, they were to reestablish contact between the fleet and Managua, and protect the Americans and foreigners there. However, on the way, his train was taken by rebel forces; he was reluctant to attempt to take it back, until Major Smedley Butler
convinced him it was the correct option. Convincing the rebels they had dynamite, the force took back the train and made it back to the ship.
; controversy erupted when he banned marriages between navy sailors and Samoan natives. The religious Christian Samoans not only claimed racism, but that the law encouraged sailors to have sexual relations with young native girls, knowing they would never have to take responsibility for their actions. He took further action against the native people of the islands by stripping a number of tribal leaders of power. As his rationale, he wrote, "The natives are very charming people, but very childish... of the STONE AGE and are not capable of managing their affairs with wisdom." His actions helped lead to the anti-imperialism Mau movement
. Terhune's executive officer
, Lieutenant Commander
Creed H. Boucher sided with the Mau, so Terhune had him replaced. Boucher was later found guilty of fomenting unrest among the Samoans. However, the replacement, Commander A. C. Kail proved not to work well with Terhune, and also supported the Mau cause. Terhune's first run-in with the Mau occurred when a group of Samoans returned to the island from the United States
, seeking to enter the land development
business. He established the sixth American Samoan government department on November 15, 1919, with the establishment of the American Samoa Department of Public Works.
Upon hearing of the multiple difficulties Terhune was having, Secretary of the Navy Lieutenant Commander
Josephus Daniels
ordered an inquiry after accusations from Boucher, sending Captain Waldo Evans to led the investigation. A few days before the probe reached the island, Terhune had a morning meeting with the island chiefs who remained loyal, and appeared "in good spirits". However, later reports suggested that Terhune had been suffering from severe depression and heart problems. Terhune then shot himself in the heart with a .45
pistol
in a bathroom of the Government House
in Utulei, American Samoa
on noon November 3, 1920. His body was found by the cook, Felisiano Debid Ah-Chica. Terhune's wife and a group of doctors rushed to his aid, but found him already dead. Upon arrival, Waldo Evans was appointed governor on November 11, 1920, taking over from Kail, who had temporarily taken the post; and the court later exonerated Terhune. In his two days as acting governor, Kail attempted to undo a number of Terhune's policies, including firing the head surgeon who had refused to declare Terhune insane. Terhune's suicide makes him the only American Samoan governor to die in office, and his ghost is rumored to wander the grounds of the Government House.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Commander, and the 13th Governor of American Samoa. Terhune was born in Midland, New Jersey, and lived in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
most of his life when not posted elsewhere. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1889, and graduated as a Lieutenant in 1899. He was stationed on numerous ships, and held command of various ships and stations throughout his career. His most notable command posts include the Seventh Naval District of South Florida and the Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West , is a naval air station and military airport located on Boca Chica Key, four miles east of the central business district of Key West, Florida, United States....
within his jurisdiction. His largest engagement came when President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
ordered the United States Marine Corp to Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
in an attempt to put down a rebellion there, primarily out of the city of Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
. Terhune commanded the USS Annapolis
USS Annapolis (PG-10)
The first USS Annapolis was a gunboat in the United States Navy. She was named for Annapolis, Maryland.Annapolis was laid down on 18 April 1896 at Elizabethport, New Jersey, by Lewis Nixon and his shipyard superintendent, Arthur Leopold Busch; launched on 23 December 1896; sponsored by Ms...
, which landed hundreds of troops to quell the violence and protect American civilians and property.
On June 10, 1919, Terhune became the Governor of American Samoa; his governorship was wrought with problems and controversy. He revamped taxation on the island. He also took a number of steps to limit the power of the indigenous Samoans
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
, believing they were not fit to govern themselves. He removed several local leaders from power, and outlawed marriages between United States Navy sailors and Samoan women. His actions helped lead to the anti-imperialistic Mau movement
Mau movement
The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the early 1900s. The word 'Mau' means 'opinion' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan...
, stemming from perceived racism and a belief that the marriage law promoted anti-Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
promiscuity. In addition, his two executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
s sympathized with the Mau, leading his first to file a complaint with the Secretary of the Navy. An inquiry was launched to the island, but before it could get there, Terhune, plagued with depression and health problems, committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart on November 3, 1920 at noon. He is the only Governor of American Samoa to have died in office, and it is rumored that he still haunts the grounds of the Government House.
Life
Terhune was born in Midland Park, New JerseyMidland Park, New Jersey
Midland Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 7,128....
on May 3, 1869. He lived in Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
. Terhune was a vice-president of the Holland Society of New York. He received the Order of the Bust of Bolivar from Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
in 1909.
Naval career
Terhune entered the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
on May 19, 1885. He became a Lieutenant on March 3, 1899. He served on the USS Kearsarge
USS Kearsarge (1861)
USS Kearsarge, a Mohican-class sloop-of-war, is best known for her defeat of the Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama during the American Civil War. The Kearsarge was the only ship of the United States Navy named for Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire...
from 1889 to 1891, the USS Cushing
USS Cushing (TB-1)
USS Cushing was a torpedo boat in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War. She was named for William B. Cushing....
from 1891 to 1894, the staff of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Navy. Today, the corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 730 Judge Advocates, 30 limited duty officers , 500 enlisted members and nearly 275 civilian personnel, serving...
in 1894, the USS Terror
USS Terror (BM-4)
USS Terror — the totally rebuilt version of the earlier monitor , which had shared the Terror's name — was an iron-hulled, twin-screw, double-turreted monitor of the , laid down in 1874 at Philadelphia by William Cramp and Sons. Her construction progressed over the next three years until suspended...
from 1896 to 1899, and the USS Buffalo
USS Buffalo (1892)
The second USS Buffalo was an auxiliary cruiser of the United States Navy, and later a destroyer tender.Buffalo was built in 1892 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, in Newport News, Virginia, as El Cid. Six months later she was sold to Brazil and renamed Nichtheroy...
in 1901. He fought in the Spanish–American War, but was teaching during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
He achieved the rank of Commander in 1911. He commanded the Seventh Naval District until October 1917, when he became the Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of Dunwoody Naval Training School in Minneapolis. While at the Seventh District, he also commanded the Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West , is a naval air station and military airport located on Boca Chica Key, four miles east of the central business district of Key West, Florida, United States....
.
On at least one occasion, Terhune acted as counsel in a court martial, for Captain Franklin Steele Wilste of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, who was accused of failing to pay for uniforms, clothing, liquor, and other items.
Managua
During a rebellion against the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
armed forces in Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
dispatched the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
to the city. Terhune first landed a force of 365 men for the initial police action. Later, his force of 40 sailors and 10 marines attempted to break out of Managua and back to their ship, the USS Annapolis
USS Annapolis (PG-10)
The first USS Annapolis was a gunboat in the United States Navy. She was named for Annapolis, Maryland.Annapolis was laid down on 18 April 1896 at Elizabethport, New Jersey, by Lewis Nixon and his shipyard superintendent, Arthur Leopold Busch; launched on 23 December 1896; sponsored by Ms...
, anchored in Corinto, Nicaragua
Corinto, Nicaragua
Corinto is a town of 17,000 on the northwest Pacific coast of Nicaragua in the province of Chinandega. The municipality was founded in 1863 and was named in honour of the Greek city of Corinth.- Economy :...
. From there, they were to reestablish contact between the fleet and Managua, and protect the Americans and foreigners there. However, on the way, his train was taken by rebel forces; he was reluctant to attempt to take it back, until Major Smedley Butler
Smedley Butler
Smedley Darlington Butler was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, an outspoken critic of U.S. military adventurism, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S...
convinced him it was the correct option. Convincing the rebels they had dynamite, the force took back the train and made it back to the ship.
Governorship
Terhune was appointed Governor of American Samoa on March 18, 1919, and took office on June 10, 1919. Terhune faced many issues during his term, many involving economic issues like tax revenue. Other issues stemmed from race, like revising restrictions on intermarriages between whites and ethnic SamoansSamoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
; controversy erupted when he banned marriages between navy sailors and Samoan natives. The religious Christian Samoans not only claimed racism, but that the law encouraged sailors to have sexual relations with young native girls, knowing they would never have to take responsibility for their actions. He took further action against the native people of the islands by stripping a number of tribal leaders of power. As his rationale, he wrote, "The natives are very charming people, but very childish... of the STONE AGE and are not capable of managing their affairs with wisdom." His actions helped lead to the anti-imperialism Mau movement
Mau movement
The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the early 1900s. The word 'Mau' means 'opinion' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan...
. Terhune's executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant commander (United States)
Lieutenant commander is a mid-ranking officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade of O-4 and NATO rank code OF-3...
Creed H. Boucher sided with the Mau, so Terhune had him replaced. Boucher was later found guilty of fomenting unrest among the Samoans. However, the replacement, Commander A. C. Kail proved not to work well with Terhune, and also supported the Mau cause. Terhune's first run-in with the Mau occurred when a group of Samoans returned to the island from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, seeking to enter the land development
Land development
Land development refers to altering the landscape in any number of ways such as:* changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose such as agriculture or housing...
business. He established the sixth American Samoan government department on November 15, 1919, with the establishment of the American Samoa Department of Public Works.
Upon hearing of the multiple difficulties Terhune was having, Secretary of the Navy Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant commander (United States)
Lieutenant commander is a mid-ranking officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade of O-4 and NATO rank code OF-3...
Josephus Daniels
Josephus Daniels
Josephus Daniels was a newspaper editor and publisher from North Carolina who was appointed by United States President Woodrow Wilson to serve as Secretary of the Navy during World War I...
ordered an inquiry after accusations from Boucher, sending Captain Waldo Evans to led the investigation. A few days before the probe reached the island, Terhune had a morning meeting with the island chiefs who remained loyal, and appeared "in good spirits". However, later reports suggested that Terhune had been suffering from severe depression and heart problems. Terhune then shot himself in the heart with a .45
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
in a bathroom of the Government House
Government House (American Samoa)
Government House, also known as Building No.1, Naval Station, Tutuila or Government House, U.S. Naval Station Tutuila was built in 1903 and is located in Pago Pago, American Samoa. It served as the home of the commander of the Navy station. Later, it served as the diplomatic center for United...
in Utulei, American Samoa
Utulei, American Samoa
Utulei is a village in American Samoa. Located there are the governor's office and the Rainmaker Hotel.-External links:*...
on noon November 3, 1920. His body was found by the cook, Felisiano Debid Ah-Chica. Terhune's wife and a group of doctors rushed to his aid, but found him already dead. Upon arrival, Waldo Evans was appointed governor on November 11, 1920, taking over from Kail, who had temporarily taken the post; and the court later exonerated Terhune. In his two days as acting governor, Kail attempted to undo a number of Terhune's policies, including firing the head surgeon who had refused to declare Terhune insane. Terhune's suicide makes him the only American Samoan governor to die in office, and his ghost is rumored to wander the grounds of the Government House.