The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-01-05
A CAREER OF CRIME.
REMARKABLE HISTORY OF A MODERN
CAEvALIER DrNDUSTRiE.

william houGhtOn, an Englbh Auventur-
CT. Once Prime Minister and Practically
King of Abyssinia, Now In Prison For
Fraud-A Spectacular scoundrel.
There has just been lodged in Jail the
only man who has tasted the sweets Of
power that prime minister wields and
has run the gamut Of crime that con-
cluded with the convict's stripes. Will
liam Houghton is the individual to
whom has fallen this remarkable expe-
rience, and the distinction is accorded
him Of being one of the most brilliant
criminals and backsliders that history
is cognizant Of.
In the course OF his career, the dis
tinguished portion Of which began
with the year 1878. he has ruled a king
dom. He was the prime minister of
Abyssinia, the chief adviser Of King
John. His word was law, and he could
order the execution of the kings i'm.
mediate relatives. This height of power
Houghton reached from the plane of
life of the ordinary adventurer For
years he maintained his power, and
when at last fortune forsook him he
turned to the capitals of Europe for
fresh tributes to his genius as swim.
dler.
Houghton first achieved notoriety in
1876. In that year he journeyed from
England to Egypt, a crusader, as much
as Richard the Lion Hearted. who made
the same journey centuries before, but
this latter day crusade was for fraud
and theft instead of for the cross A
man named Major Barlow, who had
been an officer of the Yorkshire eng
land) yeomanry, was his companion.
Both had planned out programme of
adventure that was a. daring as it was
dangerous. .t
Just at that time the relations be.
tween the khedive and the king of Abys-
sinia " ere very strained. In TACT, SO
slender was the tie that it needed hut
the weight of diplomatic straw to
break il altogether. Houghton and his
partner made their way into Abyssinia,
and in q manner that no one seems to
be thoroughly familiar with ingratiated
themselves with King John. Major Bar.
low was the first Of the two to gain
prominence, for he induced the king to
give him q very excellent appointment
in the military service. King John was
more than willing to have his troops re-
ceive the benefit of the military knowl-
edge of an English officer, and it was
not long before Barlow was placed at
the head Of the Abyssinian army. No
sooner had he gained this point than he
began to labor with the king in the in
terests of Houghton, with such excel
lent results that the English adventurer
became King Johns political adviser
and later Oh prime minister Of Abys-
sinia.
By this time Major Barlow had 80
won the king over that the title Of gen.
eral was created for him, and he was
formally appointed commander in chief
of the Abyssinian forces, with from
10000 to 80, 900 warriors under his com.
mand. Included in this force was the
famous brigade Of amazons, who were
placed in such state OF efficiency by
this man that they became q tremen'
dous power in themselves and won fame
that to this day has made them wei
known.
While Abyssinia is in state of semi
civilization there is yet strong lean
ing toward the barbaric, and at th'
time these events occurred that predi
lection was even greater than now. 81
the two Englishmen, quickly perceiv
ing that to maintain prestige and pow
er they must conform to the native Gus
toms, decided to impress the fact o
their high power and favor with tn
king by series Of ceremonies both lonl
and weird. For q week the soldiers o
the army danced and feasted, the cere
mony being witnessed by the king
Houghton and Barlow, the latter tw
decked in paint, beads and feathers an
portions Of uniforms Of English officers
This had all the desired effect Th
Englishmen found themselves thorough
ly established with royalty and people
Power was not all these gentleme
were looking for. Their mission I
Egypt and to Abyssinia was principal
to gain tremendous wealth, and th
they seemed now in fair way to s'
cure. They deliberately appropriate
gold and silver and ivory from til
stores Of the kings subjects, soaring u
one but the king himself. How muc
they managed to secure no one will eve
know, hnt certain il is that the amour
was enormous. Wealth achieved. tb
pair of adventurers turned their attel
tion to politics, and very soon had Il
Egyptian government and King job
by the ears They stopped at nothin
Their daring was sufficient to overcon
any obstacle. Their advice. no matt
how extraordinary. was always take
aud the commotiop Abyssinia create
under their practical suzerainty "
euch that all the nations Of Europe b,
their attention called to the matter. D
bate followed In the various parli