, 1891-07-18
THE CHIEF IS DEAD.
Story of a Band of LuckIess South
Sea Islanders.
Rescued From Slavery and on Their
Way Home.
Manogi, the Chief. Dies on the Train
Near Rawlins.

clutches of a heaItless Snowman, passed
through this city yesterday morning on
their way home to the South Seas.
A LEADER reporter saw them at the
depot and held a rather one-sided inter
view as none of them spoke English very
well although they seemed to understand
it perfectly.
The party was in charge of Van Cullen
Jones a reporter of the New York World
who will accompany the men to Samoa.
Mr.. Jones worked in the Cheyenne tele-
graph office in 1877 placing there the first
duplex instruments in use there. He was
anxious to see the city and intends re-
naming here several days on his return
trip.
The story of the Samoans is a pathetic
one. The band originally numbered nine.
Two years ago they were lured from their
home by a professional Snowman. R. A.
Cunningham, a noted freak catcher, who
secured the wild Men of Borneo." Two
of the band, Latungai!o and Manogi, had
made gallant rescues OF life in 1889 when
the United States warships Trenton and
Vandalia with two German and English
war vessels were wrecked.
Cunningham lured eighteen of the
natives to his ship shortly after the great
storm and the rescue made the Samoans
famous. Nine of them escaped, however,
by swimming several miles after the
vessel had lett the island. The showman's
plan was to rush them through the
United States and then take them to
Germany.
During the winter OF 1SS9-'90 the
Samoans were exhibited throughout the
United States in dime museums and con-
cert halls. They sang war songs and per-
formed native dances. These museum
stages are beset with cold draughts. yet
the Samoans we're compelled to go upon
them with bodies and legs bare. They
wore only a breech-cloth. In the biting
cold of the north the men were as naked
as when they roamed over the verdure- clad
hills of their equatorial home or battled
in the tepid waves of the southern seas.
These strong men blanched before the
voyages of the cold. CONSUMPTION
! threatened them. In vain did they plead
I to be allowed to wear some covering when
on the stage. Cunningham sternly re-
fused. They were lodged in cheap
hotels and in cold rooms. While the
manager reaped a golden harvest they
were paid Sl2. so a month each. Scanty
savings were given the manager and
have never been seen since. Before
crossing the ocean for Germany Ataiau
and Tu we're stricken down. Their com
panions were sick and pointed to their
sore chests. Atafau died in Belgium and
Tu died in Koln, Germany.
In Berlin noble lady fell in love with
one of the men. She wanted them to
live at her home. This affair occasioned
trouble which resulted in the German
government sending Lealof and Leasuasu
back to Samoa. But four of the misera-
BILE men were left to return 10 this country.
Upon reaching here ManogI, the warrior,
was attacked by hemorrhage and placed
in Roosevelt hospital, New York. He
was taken away while vet sick, and sent
to JOIN his companions in Detroit. There
they appeared on the stage twice a day in
the cold of early April. forced to wear no
clothing.
Latungaifo sank with quick cOnsump-
ton and died in Denver. The body was
embalmed and placed 10 an upright pine
box in the show room of the coroner and
undertakcr. The lid of the box swings on
hinges. When opened it reveals a horri-
Bile sight. Standing erect with hands
folded in front and almost naked, is the
warrior Latungaifo. The eyes are open
and the black hair and slight mustache
blossoms out with peculiar fierceness.
Visitors to that place carry away an i'm
preston they will never forget. 1t is a
pitiful fate for a mar who formed one of
the lifeline that saved dozens OF life's of
American sailors on the Samoan shore.
The survivors pleaded in vain with Gun
ningham to let them go home. He re-
fused and when legal proceedings were
hlTealeueu eAulDlJeu CODtTdct5 the men
had signed practically making them slaves.
The New York World took the matter
up and finally induced the state depart
ment at Washington TO interfere and the
contract was annulled. Transportation
was given by the great railroad lines OF
the country and by Spreckles' steamboat
line. The government appointed World
reporter as a special agent to accompany
the Samoans to their native home.
or the four, Tasita, Fol and Mua only
were able to leave the train this morning.
Tasita is a handsome fellow with a growth
oil luxuriant jet black hair which he had
arranged in a graceful pyramid on the top
of his head. He made friends rapidly
and was given cigarettes and tobacco until
his hands could hold no more. He was
overjoyed at the prospects of returning
home. Fol and Mus are digniied look