Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-07-22
A'TYPlCAL TOPSY.
She 10 a Princess OF tho Basso Tribe and
Also a Corker.

New York, July 16.-Miss Louise L.
Potter is 10 years old and vas born on
the west coast of Africa Of negro
parents. She is n princess of the Basso
tribe, but just now she lives in New
York and is not anxious to leave the
city. Louise appeared in the Jefferson
market police court and created a pro-
found impression. She is the living
counterpart Of Topsy.
She was born at Cape Palmas, Libe.
ria, and her father Is n native prince of
the Basso tribe. Her grandfather is n
ch!eftain. and her mother came Of royal
blood. Her mother died several years
ago. The missionaries of the Protest
art Episcopal church educated Louise's
father. Among the missionaries was
Miss Julia l.. Smith, an energetic
young colored She went to
the African field in 1888, but remained
there only two years, as the climate
was too much for her. She returned to
New York in September, 1890, bringing
been given TO Miss Smith by her
father.
Miss Smith intended to educate
Louise and then send her back to
Africa as a missionary. Louise went
TO the Wooster street public school,
where her record was that of a N indus
trious but eccentric pupil. She studied
hard, made progress and never played
truant, but she had an unpleasant way
Of doing just about Us she pleased. At
home she displayed the same charac-
teristics. She would not run on err
rands unless she felt like it, and in
many ways proved "A thorn i'm the side
of good Mrs. Smith and her daughter
Julia. Matters did not improve during
the last two years, and when school
closed Miss Smith decided to have
Louise committed to some Institute
where she would be under strict disci-
pline.
Miss Smith took the unwilling Afri-
can girl to the colored orphan asylum,
but that institution would not receive
her. Then Miss Smith went TO the
jefferson Market police court, where
she was told that the child would he
turned over to Mr.. Gerry's society and
placed in some institution. Miss Smith
thought the matter over and concluded
that Louise was not bad enough TO be
sent to the institution, and she took the
child home again.
Miss Julia Smith, a pleasant faced
young woman, said that she felt sorry
she had adopted Louise. When she left
Africa half a dozen of the Leading
chieftains offered her one or more OF
their children as Il present. She con-
cluded to take Louise, but considers 1t
was a mistake, for the girl has a knack
of turning the house upside down and
defying authority.
1--WE would like TO send her back"
said Mrs. Smith, but she is fond OF us
in her wild way and does not want to
go. Besides, that wonld cost S7j,"
Louise's guardians were unwilling at
first TO allow the reporter to see the
girl. but at last consented. When the
rebellious African appeared, she pre-
scented a striking picture. She Is as
black as the ace of spades. Her head
is small and her hair is short and curly.
She has good features and n most in
dependent bearing. The reporter
asked her how she liked New York.
II like it," she said in good English.
"And your home here, too?"
Eyes, / like that"
ado you want TO go back TO Africa?"
NO"
"Do you like going to school?'
"Ies-only they call me names"
'llow old are you
"She is O." Mrs. Smith said.
al am TO- said the child, proudly.