Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-20
From the New York sun.
Happy jack.
The Rev. william WInans, Once King OF
One OF the Cannibal Islands.

over which was tightly buttoned long
linen duster, imped briskly into the city
yesterday, and addressed himself vigOr-
ously to the task of organizing temper
ance crusade. On his feet were pair OF
brogans, such as arc worn by wayfaring
men, faded red plush winter cap COW
cred his head, and he carried in his hand
peeled hickory stick. His hair was
cropped short, hedge Of stiff red whisk'
ers encircled the rim OF his face, and
under cloud Of bris,ly eyebrows gleam-
ed pair of honest blue eyes. Dropping
his chin medilatively on tho crook OF his
cane, and drawing q note book from his
pocket, he said, with AZ air OF pride ::
I'm Happy Jack, the reformed sailor
the wandering preacher, The temperance
apostle, and the King OF the Cannibal
Islands; otherwise. I'm the Rev. William
Winans, and I've travelled the world all
over, preaching temperance, moral sua-
sion, and the Christian religion in the
East and in the West, and-in fact every
where. In this book which you see be-
fore you is an imperfect record of my
pilgrimage. I've been lecturer and
reformer for over ten years, and my work
has been very successful"
The history of Happy Jack, as related
by himself, is about as romantic as that
of Sinbard the Sailor. Born in Tyre,
Seneca county, n. Y" so Jack said, 81
was left an orphan at the carly age OF
five years. Thrown on an unsympathet.
ic world, a few years aiterward, | listed
on canal boat"
The peaceful pursuit OF drowsy mule
along an Erie towpath was not congenial
TO Jacks adventurous spirit and he went
to New Bedford and shipped in Il whaler
as cabin boy. IL took TO drinking at
once" he said, land thereafter for the
best part of my life there was no worse
drunkard in the world than |. visited
every part OF the known and unknown
world during my life as sailor. | went
10 The Arctic and he Antarctic regions,
and to almost every part OF the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans. was shipwrecked
five times, and was once twenty-five
days in an open boat in the Pacific. On
that occasion there were forty OF US. We
had been obliged to abandon the ship and
take To the boats. We were on the open
ocean, and knew not whittier TO 60. We
apportioned out our provisions and our
water supply, so much for each days
consumption, and then we drilted on.
Day after day passed, our food and water
grew less and less, the men began 10
sickcn and die, and no signs OF land ap-
peared. The men became deIiri)us and
sprang into the sea, and at length only
four or five remained. Still we saw no
sign Of either sail or land. At last was
lett alone in the boat; my comrades, one
by one. had all been left in the wake.
Just as was giving up all hope espied
land, and soon saw many boats in the
distance coming toward me. When they
reached me | found myself surrounded
by canoes filled with naked savages. |
was taken on board, and the fleet OF ca
II oes was rowed swiftly toward the shore.
| could not understand the language OF
the natives, but after awhile | learned
that was on one of the Cannibal islands
OF the new Hebrides group. The natives
did not attempt TO injure me, and war
soon breaking out between them and the
inhabitants OF another island was taken
along to the fight. We had great bat
tie and were victorious. The chief,
pleased with the service that l rendered
him, could hardly do enough for me-
We had a great glorification when we
returned home from the battle, and soon
afterward the chief made me king over
neighboring island of 0,O0O inhabit-
ants. ruled there for over nine months,
making laws for the people and trading
with whalers and other vessels that
touched at the island.
"At length persuaded the captain OF
whaler TO take me off, and one dark
night he sent boat 10 the shore, and
was taken on board his ship. The food
of the natives of the island that | gov
erned was human flesh, fish, cocoanuts,
and bread fruit.
LAT one time | worked in the Austria
lian mines, and had hundreds OF narrow
escapes, both there and elsewhere.
enlisted in the United States navy and
was honorably discharged. 1t was not
until about ten years ago that L gave up
drinking and reformed. l was converted
by missionary in the Sandwich Islands.
Before that / had had the delirium tre-
mems several times, aud been locked up
for drunkenness in many ports in different
parts of the world.
IL have preached the Gospel of Christ
ianily and temperance in every town oi
New England, and have been through
nearly every State In the West. This
summer have preached and lectured in
New York State, mostly to sailors and
canal men, and have obtained over TO-,
coo signers to the pledge. In the last
three years l have converted to temper