Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-11-02

Twenty yeaSs ego ooo George Weak
rich owned and nasieated Q canal bon
plying betseen Philadslphia aud L.
Schuylkill county coal regions. He
hs.i to- sons. Samuel and John. The
latter vas killed BY fall. and the
fsther died soon after. Il vas in the
month Of April. 1861. that samuel Left
what friends he had in this city. vent
to New York and shipped on a schooner
bound for Brazil, with no definite OBJ
lect in view.
Seventeen years have passed since
he. then q mere STRIPPING and a beard
less youth, left his naive country
seventeen Of the most memorable years
10 the history Of the world. The great
rebellion. which for four years had
convulsed the country in the throes Of
civil var. came and passed away. and
no tiiing. were received of Samuel
Wenrich. At the close Of the var his
relatives had strong hopes Of his re-
turn. hut years passed on. NO tidings
were received OF him and he was given
up for deal. A few days ago q heavy
bearded, suar,hy and foreign locking
man appeared upon our public streets.
kxC lotktu Hat - IMAM d
Caucasian, and his hair fell in heavy
ringlets down his broai shoulders.
He looked to b.. a man in the very
prime of life. and his dark features
AMI strange dress were the wonder
ment Of every one who saw him.
Sometimes in the mornings he would
appear on the streets with coat on
heavy enough 10 do service
in the Winter. His beard
was at least twelve inches in length
and his long mustache was the envy Of
all young men who had only an incips
lent growth Of hair on their upper
lip.
An E,gie representative met him
and received the following history Of
his life. It is SO strangely blended to-
gether with the stern reality Of facts
anil the glowing light Of romance that
it is hard to believe it. Mr.. Wenrich
not having heard English spoken for
80 many years feels quite embarrassed
and then it is quito difficult to under
stand him. He said
ACCOUNT OF HIS wANDERINGs.
when left New York, in 1861, I
had about 500 in my pocket. I have
some OF that same money with me now.
arrived in Rio Janeiro in the latter
part OF April and was thrown out Of
job. I then shipped from that place in
vessel consigned to Cape Town. South
Africa; but never reached that point.
1t was all plain sailing until we ar
rived of the west coast of Africa.
Since my arrival I have looked in the
geography, and I find that it must have
been near the mouth of the Congo
River. When we came there violent
storm arose and swept two of our men
overheard. Another sailor and myself
were sent on shore in search Of water.
never knew his name, hut I
think he came from Portugal. 1t was
early in the morning when we came on
shore. and, hiding our boat, We went
inland. We were quite successful in
our search, and we returned to signal
to the ship; but what was our consterna-
ton and dismsy when we discovered 4
that there was no ship in sight. vs.
climbed on the trees and yelled our
selves hoarse; but it was OF no use.
The ship was gone, but where We
knew not. That night we laid down in
the open air to sleep, weary and ex-
hausied. When I awoke in the morn
ing my companion was gone, I knew
not where. I again went Inland for
about mile, and, by blood tracks dis.
covered his remains, horribly mangled.
no doubt by lion. I at first thought
of jumping into the water, and thus
end my own misery. climbed on
high mountain, and seeing number
of natives few miles away I went to
them, and by signs and caresses made
them understand that I wished to
be their friend. It was rather humiliat-
ing, tell you, but I did it. I have
lived with them over sixteen years. 1t
was only by a stroke OF good luck that
I got away. l had given up, years ago,
all hopes Of returning home, but there
was one thing that imbued me with q
desire of return to my native coun-
try.
ut was this" land he spread ont be-
fore the reporter large cambria hand
ketchief having in one of the corners
the name of Henry NJ. Stanley. II
had given up all hope of ever seeing
nv friends again on this earth, but
when l came across this it put new
life into me. I was taken inland about
Ave hundred miles. and there lived all
these years. When I first came there
I was closely guarded, but az the
years rolled on, and I made no attempt
TO escape, I was allowed to stay away
from the village as long as I pleased.
One day after l had been away three
days. while was crossing a large
river, I found this handkerchief be-
tween Two rocks. When ! saw that it
vas an article only used in civilized
counties K knew that white men had
bsen there, and from its appearance I
knew that it couldn't have been very
long. l went down to the village, and
was tod that white mon had been
there, hut had gone away the day be.
fore Ny feelings can better be i'm.
Agined than described. After staying
eli these ears with the savages had .
secret wish to return home again.
One day I started ont to be absent
about week. travelled by night and
day and must have been at least eighty
DAYS on the road. At length arrived