The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-14
A LIBERIAN CELEBRITY.

A TERRE HAUTE BARBER IN AFRICA-How HE
GETS RICH AND Is MARRIED-HIs ELECTION
TO THE PRESIDENCY or THE PROVINCE.
A correspondent to the Terre Hsute Ex-
press gives the following interesting bit of
colored biography: Many of your older
residents, say of 20 years ago, will remember
an enterprising and very industrious barber,
whose name was Edward J. Rove. How
long he lived in Terre Haute the writer
does not know; with his career in Africa
end elsewhere I am familiar. In making
his first trip to Africa. he took bis goods out
on freight, he himself being a passenger.
The entire value of his invoice was
not more than three thousand dollars
In less than eighteen months from the time
he sailed from New York he was back with
5000 worth of oil, dyewood, ivory and gold
dust. Spending but little time in shaking
hands and telling stories, he chartered half a
brig in company with white man, and
about the time his friends in Africa looked
for letter from him, he anchored his brig in
the Bay of Monrovia, laden with a GOOD
cargo which was at that moment saleable at
his own rates. This was the beginning of
the career in Africa of the most remarkable
man in many respects the little black repub-
lie even had within her borders.
FOLLOWING THE TIDAL WAVE
Of his good luck, he put off for England in
the monthly steamer, where he purchased
English goods, which, in many instances,
are manufactured expressly to suit the Afri-
can market, goods of peculiar makeup and
color known only to merchants dealing with
Africa. The point Roye made in that move
was this, he could go anywhere where the
English held the trade and furnished
both kinds of goods, English and
American. something no other
American ever did. Crossing from England
to America, he made the acquaintance of the
great house of Phelps, Dodge & Co., New
York city, with whom he deposited a sum
of money and by whom he was introduced
among first-class merchants, which resulted
in his purchasing vessel and loading her
for Liberia, leaving behind him a reputation
and money enough 10 load a vessel in his
absence. The poorer class, who had been
often deceived in the eleetion ofgovernment
officials, broke loose from both the old par
ties and elected this new, and now that
wealth lay in his path, and honors on bare
shoulders, upon him, the idea occurred 10
HIM to get married. At the house of ex-
Governor Hicks, where he often dined-was
the most adopted daughter OF the
governor, pretty brown-faced Han
the world. So in his Business
like manner he courted her three weeks and
married her. This, too, was another wise
hit, for Hannah was born in Liberia, and
COulu SPEAK I'VE OF slA OI the naive IAN
guages. which is half of the battle in ira
ding. Leaving his wife to manage home
affairs, he bought an English vessel and
cargo out and out, made his first trip to the
gold coast where the Ashantee war has lust
been fought. This was another
TWENTY THOUSAND STROKE
in less than thirty four months. Mr. Roye
was elected president in 1868, the term at
that time being two years. His party, being
strongly in the ascendency, thought they
could enact a law by which he could hold his
seat as president without an election, they
believing that 120 honest voters could
be obtained before the people, most
of whom can not read or write,
for signing that act. Both he and all the
heads of departments were imprisoned for
usurpation, he remaining several weeks in
Jail, made his escape, and in attempting to
get To = British steamer then lying In the
Bay OF Monrovia, he was drowned. The
body was recovered and delivered to his
family and friends and decently buried
under he waving palm trees in his lot in
EvelrTeen cemetery. The government
confi-ca'ed some of his property and
did many little things co nmon in
all places under great excitement.
Mr.. Roye was the wealthiest man in Lii
IBERIA, and his family will not want, unless
they become extraordinarily extravagant.
Tins ended the life of a black man that
proved at least, that negro can make
money and keep it, that he can aspire to
office and get 1t, and become too ambitious,
like as other men.