The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-07

Owns an Island and Has
Wives and Slaves.

old man why Ii was that people had nev,s
heard of him before He smiled sadly,
and replied that he had lived "A bermit's
life, and always intended to. and that the
captain must PROMISE. before he left,
that he would never reveal his place. This
naturally, after some discussion, the cap-
tain had TO aocede to. After great deal
of urging. the old man told his story
somewhat as follows:
He was So years old. Some time before
the war be was wrecked OF the Florida
coast, aud by some means fell In with
ssome of the Seminole Indians They
treated him kindly, and for year he re-
mained on the east coast and then finally
drifted over toward the west.
WENT TO THE ISLAND.
Hearing reports of an island in the
gulf that was very rich. but was psopled
by different race from those with whom
he was, he arranged for an expedition to
go there. Leaving the west coast main
land with party of twenty-five war.
riors, they proceeded among the Thousand
Islands, and searched for nearly week
before they found the island. They
landed one night, but were surprised by
the Islanders and all OF his command
wero killed.
Being white man he was reserved for
fire test an eclipse OF the sun took place,
which he cleverly took advantage of,
claiming he was a sun-god.
MADE A CHIEF.
The islanders released him at once and
made him their chief. The islands were
populated with about 100 souls, all tho
Indians living by themselves. not allow
ing anyone to leave the island nor anyone
to come on.
Their squaws and slaves produced
everything necessary for life, and they led
very indolent lives. Five or six years
later disease of some kind broke out
among them and carried off all but ten
or fifteen. Since that time. tho old chief
had dwelt there, being we'll satisfied with
the life and having about twenty of his
followers left.
AS the Indians diod out, he had cap
tured young negroes of very tender age
ana brought than up so that when they
reached years of discretion they did not
know anything about any land, but this,
thus preserving his secret. lie had never
had any opposition but twice, and in
both cases had killed his opponents. He
told also OF how he had shot three or
four Of his slaves for disobedience. but
that now they we're all well trained and
he had no trouble.
A YEARLY TRIP.
Once a year he sent up big fish ing
vessel to Key West with two of his most
needed besides what they raised them
selves He had never been off the island
fer thirty-hve years.
Several attacks had been made on the
island by Indians and Others but they
had always been repulsed. One time
during the war, pirates had attempted to
run on the shore, but they had been beaten
off and all Of them killed, the cannon
that they had there being relics from their
ship.
A NUMEROUS FAMILY.
The old man had three wives and
numerous family. and seemed TO be-
well satisfied with his existence. He
claimed.tha he was OF Western origin,
but said that all his people were dead.
and no never cared TO see or know any
thing of the world again. After enter.
tanning the captain for four days he gave
him large supply of choice fruit, etc.,
and told him he must go, as this was the
first time that he had broken his rule
about allowing whites on the island for
twenty years. He made the captain
swear not to divulge where his island was
nor to give any information that would
lead others In that direction The captain
says that the island Is a veritahle Garden
of Eden. being high, beautifully located.
the center being we'll filled with choice
fruit trees, while all kinds of fish and
turtle can be had in the numerous bays
that indent its coasts.