The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-10-02
FATE OF a SAMOAN HERO.
standing Dead, Tattooed and Emoa@'ned
I'm an Undertaker's shop.

standing Dead, Tattooed and Emba"ned'
I'm an Urdertaler's shop.
Coroner Valley and his partner, Mr.
Rollins, possess at their place OF ousl,
ness a decidedly novel, weird and
CHASTITY advertisement. In the corner
of their back room stands an ordinary
looking pine box, such one as Is
used to place around caslets IN the
grave II stands upon one end ana
hinges are at the sides. y lid is opened
and a startling sight is revealed.
Standing erect. with hands folded III
front and dressed in no raiment except
n similar garment to the one used by
the Yuma Indians (when they use onel
stands the dead body of a Samoan tat
tooed warrior, who was known during
life as Letungaifo, and who died of con-
sumption at st. Lul1e's hospital The
body. says the Denver Republican, was
taken to Coroner Valleys on the day OF
death. and he had it embalmed- The
ewes are open and the black hair and
slight mustache bristle out with peculiar
fiercrneSs. From the waist to the knees
II has been tattOoed with blue ink so as
to resemble pair of knee pants, 1t De-
ing one of the peculiar customs OF the
country from whence he came To so dec
crate the body OF every male as soon as
he arrives at mans estate
From the peculiar history of this lone
tv Pacific islander, who. 1t seems. rlsiled
his life and assisted in saving the lives
of many United States man-of-wars-
men during the terrible cyclone that
swept over. the island in March 1889, 1t
would seem that the government alone
owed a debt of gratitude To Tim to At
least put him in proper resting place.
Ietunraifo was one of five Samo-
ans brought to this country by r. y
Cunningham. August 10, 1889, and was
to have exhibited with them in this city,
but owing to his health he was sent to
the hospital. and a few weeks after the
departure of his countrymen he died.
In obtaining these five Samoans Mr..
Cunningham had great difficulty, as
Mataafa Malietoa, the king of the
islands, will not allow any of his sub
iect, TO leave, claiming it contrary to
their law and custom.
In the terrible cyclone in March
1889, when the American men of war
Trenton and Vandalia were wrecked in
the harbor of Pago-Pago, in the island
of Tutuila. the natives rescued the sail
or, tJN making Allllldt4 AtAAt cbAt - AN>AN4
them, thus enabling them to get TO the
shore. On this occasion Letungaifo par
ticularly distinguished himself for feats
of bravery in saving the lives of severa.
of the crew.
1t was after this Cunningham at
tempted to get the men away. They
sailed from the island of Tpolu in al
open boat. intending to intercept the
Oceanic. steamer from Sidney to 'F'ris
co. but terrible storm arose, fno
after nearly being capsized and suffer
ing all manner OF hardships they were
compelled to put back in the harbor o.
Pago-Pago.
This was ON Saturday. and the mex
day being sunday all were released to
attend church. a. the authorities did not
think anything would sail on that day
Cunningham, however, learned the
United States ship Alameda was short
" to sail with the sailors who were
wrecked during the hurricane, and mast
ily getting the men together, who Were
anxious to come on board. they were
secreted and thus escaped To America.
being the first of their race to leave
their native country.