Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-31

FIJI Islanders-and be placed under
British rule. and such a condition Of
things they did not at all relish. They
communicated their plans to Steinberger,
who OF course heartily approved of them,
ana at the same time saw he might be-
come the representative of great gov
eminent, as also the real ruler Of one of
the garden spots of the earth.
Before these plans were fully matured,
however, Steinberger had been in the
country over three years, and had taken
unto himself wife from among the
natives, and had greatly increased his
power and prestige in the land. Finally,
ne commenced his preparations for a
return to the United States. His Yacht
was rebuilt and enlarged, and it was not
long before he was once again in his
native land and was presenting his claims
to Gen. Grant, who was then President.
Grant was favorably impressed with the
idea, and the necessary credentials and
papers of authority were made out and
given him. Armed with them, he re-
turned to Island Paradise and his wife.
As polygamy was one Of the institu-
tons of the island, tradition has it he
had two wives. Arrived there, he
placed the islands under the courted pro
lection of this republic-that is, he pre-
tended to do so-but in reality he
assumed complete control of the
islands, and ere long he was
crowned king. and his power
was supreme. He made a great many
Improvements in the islands, all of which
were greatly admired and appreciated by
his subjects. However, 1t must be said
that these benefits were introduced mere
lY from selfish motives for, as the king
dom increased in wealth and prosperity,
so did his Golfers grow heavier with
gold, and his affluence became more and
more felt An unlucky day came, how
ever-a day fraught with political disas-
ter and financial ruin. One day there
sailed into the harbor of the capital city
an English man-of-war, with orders to
take possession of the islands and con-
vert them into marine stations for that
great maritime power. In short order
Steinberger was deposed, his kingdom
upset and his treasures taken from him.
The English took possession, and history
tells what has since occurred in the
island.
However, that was not the last of
Steinberger. Insult was added to in
jury on the island, and when, finding
things too hot for him, he sought to
make his escape, he found that his
yacht had been stolen, and nowhere
could he find it. though he went to the
several islands, assisted by his native
friends He remained on the island
some time from necessity, but finally a
trading vessel came along, on which he
took passage for Melbourne. There he
stayed about for some time, and one day
while strOlling about the docks with one
of his old, trusty lieutenants, Mr. Syl.
Wright, mentioned above, he saw his
yacht anchored out at some distance. AS
several men could be seen on board, no
effort was made to retake it. After a
time he again returned to America,
where his identity was for a time lost.
The next heard of him he was in Lead.
vile during the early days, engaged in
mining. He made some money there,
and has since been engaged in mining in
different parts of the State, and is now
in the East negotiating for the sale of
some of his properties.