The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-02-16

later at Wyddarug. From here, when
only fifteen years of age, he shipped as
a cabin boy on a steamer bound for New
Orleans, where he landed much in the
same financial condition as our present
worthy Mayor reported himself to have
been when he first landed in Cincinnati.
1t was not long, however, before he
succeeded in obtaining a situation in
the mercantile house of one Henry M.
Stanley, who soon became greatly at
tached to John, and, having no children
of his own. he concluded to adopt him
into his family. From that time on
John RowIands, the Welshman, was
known as Henry M. Stanley, the Amer
lean. But unfortunately his benefactor
died, leaving no will, consequently our
hero had to seek other means of liveli-
hood.
In about two years after this the civil
war broke out, and we find young Stan
ley fighting in the ranks of the South
ern army. Early in 1862 he was taken
prisoner, but soon succeeded in making
his escape and returned to Wales and
visited his mother, who now lived in
the little village of Bodelwyddan, near
Rhyl. In 1868 we find him again in
the midst of the excitement of the civil
war, this time as an ensign on the iron
clad Ticonderoga. In 1866 he again
visited his mother at Bodelwyddan,
Wales. AT this time he, on several oc-
casions, visited his native place, Din
bych, and, although it was well known
that his adopted name was III. M. Stan
ley, vet he was addressed and referred
to by those who knew him as John
Rowlands, and it was John Rowlands"
that he registered on the visitors book
when visiting the ancient Dinbych cas-
tie. He left Wales again, now for the
third time, and came to New York, and
entered upon the profession of journal
ism. He accompanied Gen. Hancock S
expedition against the Indians, in which
he displayed great courage and proved
himself to possess, as writer, a vivid
imagination and descriptive powers of
no ordinary degree.
Upon his return to New York he was
engaged as travelling correspondent of
the New York Herald, and as such ac-
companied the British army on their
expedition to Abyssinia. Upon his re-
turn to London he was, at his special
request, visited by his mother and other
near relatives. Not long after he again
paid visit to his native Dinbych, tax
ing with him many relics and curious
things from Abyssinia. From there
again, as correspondent of the New
York Herald, he travelled over the Con-
tinent, and while in Madrid, Spain, in
1871, received instructions from Mr..
Bennett to start for Africa. His histo-
ry from that day until the present time
is so we'll known that we need not par
ticularize. Now, while Henry M. Stan
ley, the famous African explorer, is the
lion of foreign courts, receiving pres
ents and marks of honor accorded to
but few from Kings and Emperors;
while he is made the welcome guest of
monarchs, and the admiration of savans,
and of all who recognize and appreciate
pluck and talent; and while all Amer
lea is rejoicing in the fact it is one of
her citizens who became the discoverer
and savior of Livingstone, and who, in
the face of almost insurmountable OBJ
stacles, with his little band of faithful
followers, descended the Congo, which
was certainly one of the greatest achieve
ments of modern travel, and would
have been "a credit to even a regular
army, let it not be forgotten that the little
principally of Wales gave him birth.
In this fact, at least, we as Welsh-Amer-
lean citizens have just cause for rejoic-
ing.-Cor. Cincinnati Commercial.