The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-19
MIR. DOLE'S FOLLOWING
Hawaii's Provisional President
Could Not Be prayed to Death"
He Gained Strength by Thwarting a
SuperstitiOn-Intere resting Talk by q
Late Visitor to Honolulu.

Miss Alice Chaplin. formerly a kinder
garten teacher in this cay, is visiting her
sister, Mrs. Townsend, Ash street. Miss
Chaplin gave up teaching here on account
Of ill health and went to Denver some
years ago, and from there she went TO
Honolulu to visit relatives. She went in
time TO witness the great eruption of Maui
ma Loa, and while there she travelled ex-
tensively in the islands. Several Of her
cousins have married into the families of
the men who are now prominent in the
government of the islands and visiting
among them, she had particular facilities
in becoming somewhat acquainted with the
condition of affairs. Miss Chaplin expresses
the opinion that IL is best for the United
States TO annex the islands as they will
certainly come into possession of one of the
great nations within the next three years.
When the revolution occurred in 1887, the
King signed the new Constitution and &C
coded to all that was asked Of him. From
that time he was King in only, as
even the laws that were passed were of no
effect when signed by him unless they
were signed by the members of the Cabi-
net. The Queen has no party or following
among the natives. Her only party is COM
posed of the poor whites of the islands.
The reason the natives do not care for the
Queen is because she is not of royal descent
and because she is said TO be the daughter
of a common barber. Mr.. Blount knew all
that went on in the palace and the affairs
that occurred there will prevent her ever
reigning. The relations between San Fran
cisco and Honolulu are very friendly and
President Dole has been offered the service
of one thousand or more men. who have
offered to serve without charge, to keep
the Queen from the throne There is
strong missionary element in the Islands
and the natives have almost all been con-
verted so that they and the whites are
very favorable TO the provisional govern
ment..
Among the interesting descriptions of Gus
toms which Miss Chaplin gave was the one
of the praying to death" The natives are
very superStitious and when one declares
that another will die at a certain time,
the condemned man becomes SO scared that
he is apt 10 die of fear. The exercise OF
praying one to death is often performed
and when one person tells another that ne
man is apt to die within three weeks
When President Dole came into acknowl-
edged power he was threatened with being
prayed to death, and when the allotted time
of three weeks had expired and he was
still as much alive ever, the people
thought that he was bewitched. This fact
evidently gave him q stronger following
than he would have had otherwise.
y queer custom practiced there is the
giving away of the babies. 1t often hap
pens that when one person goes to house
where there is a new baby and remarks
that il is fine child and makes wish to
have it, the mother and father of the child
think that they ought to give that person
the child, and IL is often sent to the ViS1-
tor. Miss Chaplin is an interesting talker
and has very much to relate of her ex-
| periences in the islands. Yesterday she
the Fortnightly Club. at the residence
| of Mrs. Charles w. Fairbanks.