The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-06-05
CAPT. THOMAS SPENCER.
A UNIQUE CHARACTER IN
HONOLULU.
Elk Minister Daggett Writes About His
Patriotism and Eccentricity-
He Ducks a Duke.

one of the most enthusiastic and un-
compromising Americans that ever
maintained with voice and muscle the
prowess and dignity Of the great re-
public in foreign land. And he
possessed an abundance of both, for he
was a man of grand proportions, with
the strength of an OK and the lungs Of
a lion. In disposition he was emf
nently jovial, kind and peaceful; but
any word in his hearing of intentional
disparagement of the land of his birth
promptly aroused his wrath, and fight
or an apology was the inevitable salts
faction demanded. His patriotism was
boundless and unconditional, and ex-
tended not alone to a defence of the
institutions of the republic, but to its
prominent leaders as well, no matter to
which of the political parties they be.
longed. OF course such man could
not always be reasonable in champion.
ship so broad and unequivocal, but his
hobby was understood and tolerated by
his friends of other nationalities, not
only because of his many good DUAL
tiles, but for the further reason that he
seldom spoke disrespectfully Of other
nations, or denied to their citizens
patriotic instincts as intense as his own.
Nor was "Uncle Tom Spencer" as
he was Familiarity called, more noted
for his sturdy loyalty to the land of his
birth than for his reckless generosity
and almost limitess hospitality. AS
the captain OF a wrecked whaler from
Cape Cod, where he was born and
reared, l believe, he landed on the Ha-
waiian Islands more than forty years
ago. The conditions pleased him and
he sent for his family and remained
there up to the time Of his death. He
took delight in noting the wonderful
growth of the republic from his far-off
home in the Pacific, and his love Of
country seemed to increase in full
measure with the added years of his
absence from it, until the sentiment in
the end took the form of blind and
satisfied idolatry.
Engaging in a mercantile business in
Honolulu, he soon amaSsed comforta-
Bile fortune, which he invested in cane
fields on the island of Hawaii His
plantations were near Hilo, and he
erected a large and cOmmodious resi-
dence in that village, which he occu-
pied during the remainder of his life
and where he dispensed a hospitality
SO lavish and general as to render the
Spencer mansion famous. But, fol
some reason, the captain did not meet
with success as Sugar-maker He
lost the most of his money invested in
the business and found it necessary to
resume the occupation of merchant
which he did in a small way at Hilo.
He spoke the Hawaiian language
fuently and was a great favorite with
the natives. He was held in esteem
by the rulers and his advice was fire.
quently invited and followed by them
Whenever he visited Honolulu room
was placed at his disposal in the roya
palace, and in private he always ad
dressed the sovereigns by their individ
ual names Many state secrets were
entrusted to him, and he was the last
person who held in his hand the hear
of Kamehameha III before it was
thrown into the crater of Kilauea as ar
Offering to Pele. He stoutly assisted
in the elevation of Kalakaua to the
throne, declaring that he was a man o.
brains, and by far the most eligible
candidate Of royal blood on the Isl
ands; in fact, as he casually mentioned
to the English resident Commissioner
he was "almost good enough to be ar
Americana
Probably the most gratifying even
in the long life of Uncle Tom Spence
was his appointment as United States
Vice-Consul at Hilo, position from
which death alone removed him. Til,
emoluments OF the place were incon
siderable; but that was of no conse
quence to Captain Tom. The appoint
ment made him an acknowledged
representative of the great republic, thu
land of his love, and he asked 70
nothing more. He had elaborate sign
painted both for his residence ant
place of business, and from the TALES
staff on the ten Hawaiian Islands threw
to the breeze the stars and stripes
He also procured bronze eagle, abou
twelve inches in height, mounted on
pedestal, which he always carried witt
him on his travels and placed on tn
table before him while taking his meals
This, on one occasion, he politely re
quested the American Minister t
allow him to do while dining with hir
at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Hon
olulu, The latter would have avoide
the display Of course, but Captain Tor
regarded 1t as perfectly proper, and tn
eagle was a silent witness of the repas
AS before intimated, the shelter c
his roof and seat at his table wer
freely offered to all who crossed hi
threshold, and distinguished tourist
landing at Hilo were made his guest
without regard to their nationality an
entertained with a display and prod
gality according to their character an
dasarte The afficare Of oil ,,,or ,,aeeaI