The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-01-04
KING K4IAKAuA's FATHER.
said to be the son OF II Yankee sallor from
AiassarhusctI.--A Relative Resident In
stlt Lake Civ,

saidto be the son Of II Yunkce sallor from
hiRssRrhasptis--A Relative Resident IN
Salt Lake CITY.
In the year 1921 the whale ship indie
pendence, from New Bedford, Alassa-
clusetts, foundercd in the Pacific Ocean
and all on board persisted with the ex-
ccption Of four sailors, who made their
escape in q boat, which, after tossing
many days on the boundlesa deep, ut
last reached the Sandwich Islands, then
n state Of standardization, tint being
bout the time Of the first appearance OF
Christian missionaries there. Ono of
these seamen was fine looking, stall
wart young man from Barnstable, and in
the strange land upon which he WIS cast
up from the waste Of waters Mt once en-
gagged in such pursuits ASA vivncious dis
position md true Yankee genius discov-
cred, both for employment and liyeli-
hood. He soon succeeded, and in n year
nr two after making his involuntary set
clement among the Kanakas, had the ex-
traordinary fortune OF marrying the
daughter and sole princess OF the mon
arch then on the throne OF tho islands,
This royal danlsol had fallen in love with
the wrecked mariner, proposed wedlOck
in right queenly style, which the young
New Englander accepted for the reason
that the king ordered him to do 80, or
have his head chopped of. Being son:
in.lRw, and recognized MS n member OF
the dynasty, our hero adapted himself to
the dignity Of prince cOnsSrt, and from
this remarkable union issued the present
king of the Sandwich Islands, who Inns
Just been visiting the United States, and
who is the only surviving son Of the
Massachusetts, man, out OF large family.
The name Kalakaua denotes the origin
of the sovereign, ind, translated, means
"afO journey" or "good speed, re-
ferring to the escape Of his immediate
ancestor from the perils OF the wave M
related above. Depressing from the gem
oral narrative here, we will mention that
our august visitor, notwithstanding his
illustrious alliance, had never forgotten
his home in the distant Republic but
day after day, and month after month,
looked ont from the portico Of his pal
nee for the friendly canvas and flag Of his
native lind, hut five and twenty years OF
weary watching were endured before
the keel Of an American ship glided into
the island harbOrs. When this did take
place, tho Yankee prince, yearliing for
the scenes and associations Of his youth,
one night deserted rank, wife and chill
dren, jumped into the sea which quar-
ter Of u centuary before had cast him up
naked to become the rrogenitor Of a
kingly line, and sailed away. for the
shores Of Narragansett. After long
voyage Barnstable was again visited, but
all had changed. Leaving there in sun
ny youth, the traveller now found TINT
the few remaining acquaintance Of the
past had died, departed to other places,
or had grown gray and forgetful Of the
time wien all were boys Mt school to-
gother It was mistake to return; for
the heart could not give up It's love for
the wife and children Of more than
score Of years in the far Oft islands Of the
Pacific. The lOngings Of tho wanderor
and his loneliness were intolemble, He
then once more looked for the speedy
bark to carry him back to his only home,
and waited three years before M oppor-
tutity came, Then he smiled away for
ever. ...
In 1917 the wllaler Thomas Jefferson,
from New London, Conn, was fishing in
the Pacific. Meeting school Of levi
athans, tho crew prepared for action, and
among the parties sent out from the ship
20 operate against the monsters Of tile
,leop the prince was one Of the first 10
volunteers in the hazardous duty. As In
often happened, the boat Of the hAr-
pOoncrs was demolished by u wounded
and Infatuated whale, severed Of the men,
including the father Of Knlakaua, perish |
ing in the disaster. Tint was the end of
our heros romantic career. The balance
Of this interesting history may be stated
briefly. When the New Highlander fled
from tho Sandwich Islands, his spouse
mourncd for customary period, but |
grief did not calse her to neglect the
grave responsibilities Of widowhood. 1
Sho gave her children the best education
tho islands afforded, and David being the |
fayotite, though not the eldest son, was
sent 10 San Francisco to study politics
and finances. His mother also directed
him to visit the home OF his father and !
kindred, but the young man, for some
reason satisfactory to himself, did not
then 60 to BarnstRblc.