Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-08-01
A MONARCH IN EXILE
Once a Cannibal King on the Coast Of Africa
ia JAS Story.

Once a Cannibal King on the Coast OF Africa
ia Jas Story.
The steamship Barracuda of the Atlantis
ard West Indies line saiied last week for
the Windward islands. While the last Of
the cargo VAS being safely slowed below
Capt Hubbard, hale, hearty, and genial,
sat on the quarterback and told a New
York Tribune reporter story of an exiled
king, which is all the more interesting
because 1t is true,
The monarch to HON the captains story
applied is ia ia, king of 0pobo, whose do
minions are on the west coast of Africa,
j a ia violated ! is commercial treat With
the British and year ago he was seized
and carried away Into exile on the island
of St. Vincent, West Indies where he has
remained ever since. On his regular
visits to St. Vincent Capt Hubbard has
met the king, who has conceived great
liking for the bearded and btouzed mar
liner By degrees the king has told the
captain the history of his life, including
his reign and deposition. The captain
tells the story az follows;
"The British carried on an extensive
trade with Opobo in palm oil and ivory.
ia ia was a frindly king and he made q
treaty with the British, providing for
certain import du les and export taxes.
By and by ia ia became afraid that other
kings farther up the Opobo river had
made better terms than he and he grew
very angry. He sent 10 Germany for two
big krupp cannons, and when they ar
rived ne erected a formidable battery At
the mouth of the river so that he could
prevent vessels from going up the river
~ afade. The British did not like that,
for ia ia could sink their ships at will, so
they told the king hat they must regard
his actions as in violation OF the treaty.
ia a laughed in his sleeve. for he was
now apparently master of the situation,
But the British finally sent man-of-war
TO 0pobo and its appearance frightened
ia ia 90 much that he hid himself away
and could not be found.
"The British officers then sen. word to
ia Ja, inviting him 10 come to a big pale
yer, assuring him that if he did not agree &c
the terms to be proposed for new treaty
he woaId be allowed to return in peace to
his palace and his wives, Believing IN
the honor of the British consul a Mr.
johnson ia ia west to the palaver and
found none of the proposals submitted
go away he was seized and carried on
board of the man-of-war, which proceed
ed with him TO ST. Vincent, where he was
condemned To remain in exile for five
years. ia ia exclaimed much against
the treachery which m de him prisoner
but the Dapturers evidently knew how willy
ia ia was, ana they resOrted to The easiest
method ia their power to make him G
prisoner.
ia ia has now been at st. Vincent
! eleven months. Shortly after he was
| taken there the British government ex-
| pressed to the fallen monarch desire e
/ make his lot "a pleasant "a possible auc
give HIM an income $4,000 year. Being
asked if there was any thing else he wanted
| he indicated a longing for the presence
/ of his wives. He was told he nigh
! have but one, and was asked TO make
! his choice. He selected one just turni~ 8
! IS summers, and she was brought to hin
! in a British ship. They are now living 6
| happily as possible. The government
provides them with a house, and the pen
! sion enables them to live well. They are
both black, but not bad looking. ia ia
who il 81 years old, has the distinctive
features of the African without the thIcl
/ lips, and not above medium height look
every inch king-in Africa.
"At first ia ia was confined in For
/ Charlotte at st, Vincent which Is 5000
feet above the sea, but he found II so 60
up there that he was at length allowed tC
roam over the town at will His son
Prince Sunday was bought out to hin
some months ago, but was atterward'
sent to England TO be educated
"JaJa has become disguised with tn,
barbarian by vhicH he has always beer
surrounded, and while he has not become
A Christian himself he has approached SC
near TO il that he compsls his wife to 20
to church on Sunday mornings.
/ His wife, too, seems to rather like the new
/ life, for she arrays herself for church
with a gorgeousness that might we'll strike
envy to the heart of less dusky belle
JaJa expects 20 return to his kingdom
some day, but never again to its barbar-
ism.
Horrible 10 relate, ia ia has been a
cannibgl He told me one day that the
most delicious morsel OF food that could b'
served to cannibalistic king-s roya
/ dish indeed-wes a mans left ankle. II
Ia jas kingdom, at one time, when slaves
were captured from other tribes, al VINO
were not sold into captivity were fattenec
for the royal liable. The white feather tina
ia ia wears in his hat is the insignia OF
the highest order in Opobo. Only those
Who have taken more than 100 lives car
belong TO this order aud wear the decora-
ton of the white feather. Three OF Ji
jas son wear the feather, having killed lO'
men each. ia Ja when tbs boys wer'
growing mp, became anxious for them e
have the decoration, 80 ne used 20 taxi
twenty slaves al time, al Of the samt
height, and tie them very close togethe
10 a row, side by side. The son, with
sharp sword 10 his hand, would run alon.
the row, cutting the twenty tbroats Wit
single slash. ia ia don't approve o
these things any more, and # he could 70
back 10 mis- kingdom ne would make
good king He il al important figure u
bis new home, however, and may be con
tent to remain there. Among his mos
prized possessions is en- admiral's uniform
aud sword, presented by Queen fictori
- reward for biz assistance 10 the Ash.
autee war. de ID quite q swell when he j
dressed in his Uniform, which become
MS brsgad shoulders wel.'