The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-02-14
Stanley's HisfoU.

SANKEY'S History.
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial
Henry N. Stanley, whose original
name was John Rowlands, was born
near Dinbych, Wales, in 1910, his fathers
name being John Rowlands Cor Reliant,
as then called by the Welsh people. )
Having received early educational ad-
vantages to q greater extent than was
generally accorded 10 children of his
time, we find him, when only . youth,
occupying the position Of assistant teach
er in the public school of Llanelwy, then
Of Trefynon, and still later of W yddarug.
From here, when only about Is years OF
age he shipped as . cabin boy on . steam.
er bound for New Orleans, whore he
landed much in the same financial con.
dition as our present worthy mayor re-
ported himself to have been when he
first landed in Cincinnati. 1t was not
long, however, before he succeeded in
obtaining situation in the mercantile
house of one Henry NJ. Stanley, who
soon became greatly attached to John,
and, having no children of bis own, he
concluded to adopt him into his family.
From that time on John Rowlands the
Welshman was known as Henry NJ.
Stanley the American. But unfortu-
nately his benefactor died, leaving no
will, consequently our hero had to seek
other means of livelihood.
In about-two years after this the civil
war broke out, and we find young Stan.
ley fighting in the ranks of the southern
army. Early in 1862 he was taken pris.
oner, but soon succeeded in making his
escape and returned to Wales and visited
his mother, who now lived in the little
village of BoGelwyddan, near Rhyl. In
1863 we find him again in the midst OF
the excitement of the civil war. this time
a. an ensign on the ironclad Ticondero.
ga. In 1866 no again visited his mother
at Bodelwyddan, Wales. At this time
he, on several occasions, visited his ma.
tive place, Dinbych, and although it was
we'll known that his adopted name was
H. NJ. Stanley, yet be was addressed
and referred 10 by those who knew him
as John Rowlands, and it was Uohn
Rowlands" that he registered on the
visitors book when visiting the ancient
Dinbych castle. He lett Wales again,
now for the third time, and came to New
York, and entered upon tho profession
of Journalism. He accompanied Gen.
Hancock's expedition against the In.
dams, in which service he displayed
great courage and proved himself to
possess, as q writer, 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 &C.
companied the British army on their ex-
peditIon to Abyssinia. Upon his return
to London he was, at bis special request,
visited by his mother and other near rel.
atives. Not long after he again paid q
visit to his native Dinbych, taking with
him many relics and curious things from
Abyssinia. From there again, as a cor
respondent of tho New York Herald, he
travelled over the continent, and while
in Madrid, Spain, in 1871, received in
structiOns from Mr.. Bennett to start for
Africa. HIS history from that day until
tho present time is 40 well known that
We need not particularizo. Now while
Henry NJ. Stanley, the famous African
explorer, is the lion Of foreign courts,
receiving presents and marks of honor
accorded to but few from kings and EN-.
perors; while he is made the welcome
guest of monarchs, and the admiration
of Swans, and of all who recognize and
pluck and talent; and while
all America is rejoicing in the fact that
it is one of her citizens who became the
discoverer and savior of Livingstone,
and who, in the face of almost insur.
mountable obstacles, with his little band
of faithful followers, descended the Con.
60, which was certainly one of the
greatest achievements OF modern travel,
and would have been credit to even o
regular army, let it not be forgotten
that the little principality of Wales gave
him birth. In this fact, at least, We as
Welsh-American citizens have just cause
for rejoicing.