Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-30

vertisement OF William Van Wyck, u
wealthy southern planter on his we'd
ding day, who wanted n driver to take
his coach back To Anderson county, ).
G. In the south he became u teacher,
and there married a daughter OF Jesse
Lewis, planter. The wife died five
years later. leaving three children.
These were taken to the home Of their
grandparents. Gibson, then only twen-
ty-two years old, set off on tour with
no definite purpose in view. For short
while he ran u passenger steamer
on the Savannah river: tried
journalism for a while in New
York; took advantage of the Califor-
MIA fever and made a snug fortune by
speculating in cheap mining apparatus
es. In the latter part of 1919 he inter-
ested himself in Daniel Webster's idea
OF centralizing the Mexican states and
went 70 that country with the Russian
envoy, De Cramer, with that end in
view. His travels there led him into
regions where Americans had never be-
fore travelled and his adventures were
something remarkable. Returning to
New York he joined his fortunes with
General Carrera of Guatemala, who was
cndeavorng to effect Capitalization Of
the Central American republics. He
purchased the schooner Flint, and al
though the government took away his
arnaments, he set sail for Brazil. On
the way his chief officer Townsend,
plotted with the crew to set him adrift,
and go on shaving cruise to Africa.
Gibson frustrated this attempt in time,
but made an enemy of his men who
caused his arrest in Maceo, Brazil.
The interference of the British
cruiser. Conflict, saved him and he
f,,,, h.; 81 nd
of Sumatra. On his arrival he con-
tracted with n native prince for forty
square miles inland, which he intended
to make an American colony. The
Dutch colonial authorities there became
suspicious. and he was imprisoned.
After seventeen months of solitary con-
finemcnt he made his escape in man
ner which in itself was n romance. The
natives almost wCHshipped him, and
one of their prettiest young women
aided in his escape. This was in 1888.
Gibson returned to America, and after
spending six months in fruitless at
tempt to procure an indemnity from the
Dutch government, he took his children
and went to Salt Lake City. He re-
NAMED there until 1861 and then went
| OF the Hawaiian islands as an agent Of
the Mormon church, with q commission
to establish a colony. He found it
necessary to begin life anew in some
such way, as all of his property, which
was in the south, had been destroyed
| during the war.
He settled down in the ancient Capt.
tai Lahana, on the island of Maui,
| seventy miles from Honolulu. After a
time he abandoned the Mormon cOloni-
| zatiOn scheme, but the Mormons re-
mained, and now with their converts
| y pll fnld
| Learning of the beauty and fertility OF
the little island of Lanai, Mr.. Gibson
formed cooperative company, with
| about 100 natives, and leased a tract of
5000 on the island, for the raising of
wheat and produce. The natives
worked we'll for awhile, but finally
dropped off and left Mr.. Gibson to him
self. With the profits OF his first crop
he leased other lands, and finally the
whole island, eighteen miles and ten
miles wide, under his control. He sub
scqucntly turned his attention to sheep
raising and amassed fortune. Becom-
ing weary of this quiet life, he moved tC
Honolulu in 1867 and took and active in.
paper called the Hawaiian News
and helped to place King Lunalilo or
the throne. In 1869 he visited the
United States and assisted in negO
tiating the existing reciprocity treaty
When Lunalilo died, Mr.. Gibson urged
the claims OF Kalakaua, and. after the
latter was elected. he was offered 8
place in the cabinet. He declined, but
for many years was prominent in the
councils of the king, and was referred
to by many as "the power behind the
throne" In 1873 he was elected to the
legislature, and, after overthrowing the
/ IA. l, n
portfolios of premier and Of foreign
affairs. He made himself very popular
with the natives by his policy o
Hawaii for the Hawaiians." He wrote
and spoke their tongue with wonderful
huency and power, and in the legisla
ture, nodded men to his will will
ease. He was also proficient in ;
dozen other languages including
those of the Orient. Gibson remained
in almost autocratic power until th'
revolution Of last July deposed him
The revOlutionists, who comprised th
missionary element, were so incense'
against him that lynch law was talke'
Of, and II rope was even prepared TO
him. Wiser counsel prevailed, how
ever, and he was given II civil trial. III
had covered his tracks too we'll to b.
convicted, but he gladly embraced tn
opportunity to escape to San tranclsc
on II sailing vessel.
He'was compelled to leave his fortun
behind him, and died at last, from con
sumption, as he begun life, penniless
His two sons are long since dead. but
daughter is married to Il. II. Haysei
den. who shared his fortunes in Hawai-
and is now fugitive in San Francisco
How Many MOrmOns There Are.
Arkansas Gazette:, The Mormon es
tablishment or church of this countr
comprises lG2,2S3 persons, classified q
| follows: