The sun., 1897-12-26
TWO NEW MINISTER'S.
HAMILTON KING TO REPRESENT US
IN SIAM.

william W. Thomas, DR., Returns to the
Post at Stockholm Which lie Has
Twice Filled Before-His Long and In
teresting Diplomatic Career.
Professor Hamilton King, whose field
of usefulness for some years past has
been the preparatory department of Oil
vet college, and who is one of the best
known educators in the state of Mich
igan, has been appointed by President
Mckinley to represent the United States
at Bangkok as minister resident and
consul general to Siam.
Professor King belongs to that large
class of educators who owe their success
in life entirely to their own exertions
He was born in Newfoundland in 1851,
and his boyhood was spent in Auburn,
Lewiston and Saco, Me-, where he re-
ceived his public schooling.
At the age Of Is, having accumulated
the sum Of $40 as the profits Of his ap-
prenticeships at the trades of carpentry
and engineering he divided his savings
with chum and together they travelled
west on al clnigrant train. Landing in
Illinois, 1000 miles from home and
with no friends, with but SO cents be-
tween them on which to begin the strug-
gle for existence the two boys sat down
Oh a stone and sang to keep up their
spirits. Today Professor Hamilton King
as principal of the preparatory d,part-
ment Of Ollvet college for 20 years is
one of the best known educators in
Michigan, while his chum, Professor +
ii. Hall, occupies a similar position in
Drury collep" and enjoys Il ike rcputa
ton il the state Of Missouri
Hv the Striclc>t economy two years Of
farm WOrh t;jlu,n SuI4icleilt capital to
begin II seven years course ut Olivct
college. During the college year he sup
ported himself hy janitor work around
the college buildings ard ly tutoring.
His vacations were spent in lizard toll.
lie was graduated III 1873 and was soon
called to the faculty Of the college as
principal Of the preparatory department
and Instructor III Greek.
Another important diplomatic ap-
pcintncnt recently made is that Of
William w Thomas, .jr, Us minister
to - eden and Norway. Mr. Thomas
has had long t!ii ..lE;riu experience and
has twice before repro -cuted the United
States at the scandinavian capital. Tie
was first appointed by President Arthur
Ill 1883. l!c was recalled by Cleveland
III 1889 and rcal alpointcA by Harrison IN
1889, only to le again recalled four
years later by the second Cleveland ad
mirltratiuu
Mr.. Thomas was tie first minister of
any power to address the king Of .WC-
den in an official speech in the Swedish
language, lie was also the first minis
ter to hoist his country's flag at Stock
holm. OF him the king publicly said,
II esteem it an honor that the preside, ut
of the United States has sent to my
court an American who speaks tho Ian
guagc Of my country.'
Minister Thomas acquired his know
ledge of the Swedish tongue while CON
sui to Gothcnburs, Sweden, TO which
post he was appointed by President Lin
coin. He had previously been vice cousll
general at Coustantinopla and consul at
GalatZ.
Mr.. Thomas is native of Mario end
traces his genealogy hack to George
Cleeve, who founded the city of Port
land i'll 1892. He was graduated at Bow
doin college in 1860 with highest hon.
ors, Thomas b. Reed being one Of his
classmates. Mr.. Thomas has practiced
law in Portland and has served in both
branches Of the Maine legislature, hav.
ing been speaker Of the house two
terms. lie has written much on Scandi.
navian subjects and was instrumental in
founding the Swedish colony of New
Sweden in Maine number Of years ago.
The wife Of Minister Thomas is the
beautiful and accomplished daughter Of
u Swedish senator, aud it is expected
that her return to Stockholm will be
warmly welcomed.
The Cz.r's Car.
The height Of luxurious travelling has
been reached by the car and czarina
The empress private car is upholstered
i'll pale blue satin. The electric lamps
are all in the form of lilies, and it CON
tains writing and tea tables made of
mother of pearl. The nursery is the
next apartment and is as comfortable
and handsome as the same rooms of any
OF the czar's palaces. There are dining
rooms and drawing rooms and several
sleeping apartments. In fact, this train
is miniature palace. The wheels are
covered with india rubber tires !