The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-05
stanley. the Explorer.
PIETRo.


stanley. the Explorer.
For FIVE years the papers both in
this country aud Europe have pub
lished various accounts of Mr.. Stan
lev. none of which are correct, if the
account which be gave himself is
true.
About '73, for months, we were
thrown 10 daily intercourse with Mr..
S aud, as we bad frequently seen him
in former wears, when be was resid-
Jog ia St. Louis, employed on the
Democrat, we were curious 10 learn
from him what bis true origin aud
history was. This be frankly gave
rs. which is about as follows:
He stated that he was born in
Western New York, and that when
be was o child, about five years old,
bis father emigrated to the State of
Arkansas, and located IN the Washi-
Ia River, and became a small cotton
planter that 10 bis early youth his
opportunities for an education we're
limited that al about fifteen be had
only acquired the rudiments Of an
English education; thst from his
earliest recollection be formed a
strong desire for a s~eafariBg life that
The feeling grew so upon him that be
determined 10 try the experiment.
Without consulting bis parents, be
made arrangements with the cap
tain Of a iag-bost to go with him to
New Orleans. He arrived at New
Orleans and learned that a Spanish
vessel was TO sail in a few days for
Spain. He took employment on it
as a common sailor. He was ignor-
ant Of the business. The mate be
represented as a brute, who treated
him and the other sailors with great
cruelty. He bad struck him blow
after blow. One sc violent that it
felled him and rendered him insensi-
bic for a time. When be recovered
be obtained a large knife, and some
hours sfterward placed himself in a
position where be could take the
mates life; but be was discovered
and placed in irons, where he was
left for some days, and sentenced to a
terrible thrsshing +; but the conduct
Of the mate had been so brutal to the
sailors that a mntiny was threatened
If the punishment was inflicted
The other sailors demanded his re-
lease, which was granted. He deter
mined that when they came to the
Spanish coast be wonld leave the
vessel. He provided himself with o
plank, ard when they came within
sight of the coast be stripped himself,
tied bis clothes 10 a bundle, threw
his plank into the sea and followed
with his bundle, and was making for
the shore on his plank when a VIC
lent wave swept v him and car
ried his bundle to parts unknown.
BY the aid of his plank be landed on
the shore in the same condition that
be made his appearance in this world.
lie wandered on the beach till be
met some soldiers on guard, but they
spoke in, 10 him, an unknown tongue
10 each other. An officer who spoke
English appeared, and TO him he
related the true history of his
condition. The officer gave him al
old suit of clothes that would have
been too Target for Jack Falstaf, whica
gave him a very ccmical appearance.
The officer went with him TO the
American Consul, to whom he ex-
his condition, and told him
be was gazing to Paris. A letter was
written to his father, with a request
that funds should be forwarded to
to the Consul there for him.
Without a dime be started on foot
ior Ferris, aud made his way by sub
s'sung ~ what be could beg and the
vegetables. hat he could capture from
sne gatdens I'D fields. Atlength be
iell 10 with a bait of Gypsies, and re.
NAMED with them sor ahont three
months. He described 49, c.
sy girl as being very kn.s dp
All the time he was with the ,har
were making their way to r,r;s
! When they came near that city
left them, much to his regret and 10
the apparent sorrow of his little Gyp.
sy. Arriving at Paris, be went i'm,
mediately to the American Consul,
where, TO bis inexpressible JOY, he
found that his father had sem him
$500. With it be returned home, sat.
isied with his romance of the sea.
Afterwards he engaged in journal.
ism 10 the United States, and bis his.
tory is too well known to further re.
late.
Mr.. Stanley is now, we should sup
pose, about thirty-four years of age,
about FIVE feet six inches in height,
and would weigh about los or 10
pounds; of wonderfully powerful
and compact muscular development,
and looks as if he could endure as
much starvation and hardship as so
Arabian horse.
When Stephen A Douglass was as
young a man as Stanley, in stature,
appearance, social habits and man
ners there was a striking resem-
blanee. Mr.. SIS opportunities have
not been such as to mark him as a
mar with remarkable culture, but be
is an improving man, and, with a
brave, manly and genial heart that
animaies him, if be lives for ten years
the world win be the gamer for his
having lived in it.-Chicago Cir
Times.
A street Car s~ntervIew.
1t was on q Short Line street car;