Jacob Nienhuys, Mr. Tobacco

He was the first person to introduce and open the tobacco plantations in the earth Nederlands-Indië (INDONESIA.red). Coolie contracts not treated humanely. Extraordinary profits.

Jacob Nienhuys come from Holland and arrived at the Deli, East Sumatra, in 1863. Deli sultanate livelihood is trading and fishing. Gardening is not a concern at that time.

Nienhuys come with one purpose: to open a tobacco plantation, commodities began rising in the late 19th century due to smoking started to become a lifestyle. Problem soil is not a problem. Deli Sultan gave Nienhuys land in the area that he wants and Nienhuys seperak not have to pay anything!

What matters instead of manpower. Therefore Nienhuys went to mainland China and brought indentured workers from there in a number of very much.

Nienhuys treat this in depth on his contract with the very bad and cruel. To him they were nothing more than animals. Ever, because he was dissatisfied and angry punishing whip seven coolies from China to death.

Nienhuys in 1865 for the first time the tobacco harvest. It turns out that tobacco was planted in the ground Deli appreciated the quality is very high and expensive in the European market. Predictably, Nienhuys reap enormous benefits and wealth to be multiplied many-fold. The news quickly spread in the Netherlands, which ultimately encourages Dutch entrepreneurs came in droves to the Deli to follow in the footsteps Nienhuys: open the tobacco plantations. The situation in the future lead to competition is very rough. They burned tobacco warehouses ready for export.

In 1865 was recorded as the year of tobacco fever in Deli. The Dutch entrepreneur is hoping to rich from tobacco plantations. But to open a tobacco plantation that they have to open forest land. For those days with limited equipment certainly not an easy job.

Many porters who could not stand, then run away or die. To get the porters are very difficult. Because it is lawful in every way, with a very cruel slavery. (Instituut voor Gesch Ned en Onderwijsbeeldbank)