The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-10-05
Once q King, Now a Miner.

| once powerful ana aff1uent pOlltlclhn, OF,
| indeed, an OK Congressman, tending bar
| in u saloon, is not considered strange in
Colorado, says the Denver Tribune; but
Pueblo carries away the palm in that re-
| Gently there has been residing in that
city a man who once reigned as King,
whose royal rights, long unquestioned,
We're finally overturned by one of the
greatest Powers of the world. This
royal parsonage came to the State pen
nIless few months since, and strange to
relate, here he met an old companion who
was with him when he ruled a kingdom
and held dominant sway over one of the
richest little principalities in the world.
He is an American by parentage-Col.
a. B. SteiuberGer has relatives liv-
ing here.
His old companion-in-arms is Mr.. Syl
Wright, well known in Denver, and
wanderer who has visited all the inhab-
tied portions OF the globe. The story of
Steinberger, as told by Mr.. Wright to u
Tribune reporter, forms "A chapter I'M
equalled in fiction, and shows what
man can do when he is blessed with
plenty of self-assurance and reliance.
Some twenty years ago, Steinberger,
then in Chile, which he mad reached
from San Francisco, sailed in yacht
across the smiling Pacific, intending to
reach New Zealand and Australia in
the frail craft. He was accompanied by
few -adventurers-w who we're will
ing to brave the dangers of the deep and
who were practical seafaring men, and
therefore able to safely pilot their little
bark across the usually placid Pacific.
Directly on their route were the Samoan
Islands one of the largest and most impor-
tant groups in the vast expanse of water
There they landed to supply their larder
with provender and make necessary
repairs before proceeding further on
their hazardous voyage.
They were 30 kindly received by the
natives that their stoppage was pro-
longed, and ere long they had grown so
attached to their new quarters that they
refused to go farther. Besides, it
required no effort to live. and live luxu-
riously, too. Broad fruit trees covered
the islands---so plentiful, indeed, that
they were utilized in the construction of
houses by the natives. There were also
| orange groves, cocoanut trees, with mon
key attachments; in fact all tropical fruits
and luxuries. Cereals could be raised
in abundance, and large, fine meadows
grazing for cattle, goats and horses.
The whites we're treated like princes;
they were not allowed to work; all the
rude courtesies of the natives were ex
tended to them, aud they were furnished
with all the necessities of life. They
had soon ingratiated themselves so
firmly in the confidence of the chief and
his subordinates that they sat in the
state councils and aided in legislating
laws for the country. Then, too, their
inventive powers came in good play, and
agricultural labor on the islands-nine
| in number--was rendered much easier
through their efforts.
The natives, from sailors who had pre-
viously landed and learned of the repub-
lie beyond the seas, and had a faint con-
ception of its power and grandeur, and
they wished to place themselves under
the protection Of so great country.
They feared they would meet the fate of
their more barbarous neigh bors-the
Fiji Islanders-and be placed under
British rule, and such condition of
things they did not ut all relish. They
communicated their plans to Stein
berger, who, of course, heartily APP
proved of them, and at the same time
saw he might become the representative
| of great government, 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 ma
tives, and had greatly increased his
power and prestige in the land. Finally,
he commenced his preparations for re
turn to the United States. His yacht
was rebuilt and enlarged, and it was not
long before he was once again IN his ma
tive land, and was presenting his claims
to General Grant, who was then presi-
dent. Grant was favorably impressed
with the idea, and the necessary creden-
tails and papers of authority we're made
Don't and given him. Armed with them he
returned to Island Paradise and his wife.
| AS polygamy was one of the institutions
| of the Island, tradition has IL he had two
wives. Arrived there, he placed the
islands under the courted protection Of
this repubiic-that is, he pretended to
do so-but in reality he assumed CON-
plete control of the islands, and ere long
he was crowned king, and his power was
supreme. He made great many i'm
prOvements in the islands, all Of which
were greatly admired and appreciated by
his subjects. However. il must be said
that these benefits we're introduced
merely from selfish motives; for. - the
kingdom increased in wealth and pros
perity, so did his Golfers grow heavier
Az 4 =