The Dickinson press., 1897-04-24
DEPosED KING PREMPEH.
Has Plenty sf Gold and Begs Hard to
Go Back to His Country.

Has Plenty sf Gold and Begs Hard to
Go Back to His Country.
The British and African company's
steamship BAHAMA, which has reached
Liverpool, called specially at Elmina
to take the ex-King Prempeh and his
chiefs down to Sierra Leone, says the
London Standard. She arrived on the
LIST inst. With the ex-king were two
OF his wives, his mother, father, brother
n ten chiefs, each of whom had two
wives. OF the ten chiefs six had been
princes OF Ashanti. Prince Kofi Ente
was sent by the government with the
king as interpreter. Prince Ko1l Ente
Is son of the late King Kofh. Prem
pen was sent in a surf-boat to the
Bakana in charge Of Commissioner
lAelly n Capt. Parmenter. The king,
when he knew he was going to be de-
ported from his country, expressed his
to commit suicide rather than
suner such an indignity. He had
threatened to jump into the sea, but
was well guarded when taken to the
ship, and he made no attempt to take
MS life. Once on board the steamer
ne wa very quiet and made himself
comfortable. His interpreter said the
King wa not aware that a steamship
was SO large and that people could he
mace SO comfortable on board. He
took great interest in the fittings of
the vessel and particularly in the en-.
g'nes and electric light. Prempeh
begged hard to be allowed to go back
10 MS country and promised neve to
90 anything against the English, or,
as ne expressed 1t. against the Great
White Queen" He had no idea that
the white men could do such great
things as they did. In speaking of
this he said he now believed the white
man could bring the top to. the bottom.
meaning that he could bring down the
SKY to touch the earth. He said he
was sure. If he got back to his country,
he would be very obedient and would
make everybody open up the country
to British trade. He was also willing
to pay the indemnity the British want
ell. The king and his people were in
charge OF a superintendent Of civil pc.
lice. with a Houssa sergeant and six
Houssas. One Of the chiefs gave il
out that there was plenty of gold buried
In Coomassie, but it could never be
1ound, he said, except by themselves
Iney certainly had plenty Of gold with
them. The king went ashore at Sierra
Leone in a most gorgeous costume. The
gold ornaments. anklets, bracelets ant
other articles displayed about him were
estimated to be worth $1,000. He alEt
wore a number OF charms, the chic,
OF these being suspended round hi
neck. Probably for the first time il
his life he wore trousers. These wer,
OF yellow brocaded satin. A white an
blue m%antle-like cloth was thrown owe
his shoulders. and he wore leather san
dals. He was very cheerful on boar,
the steamer and seemed sorry to leav
II. A house has been appointed To-
tne residence of the late king and hi
followers In Freetown. 1t is under
stood that he will have more freedom
than he had in Elmina, but he will b
under the daily observation of the au
thorities. Prempehe was received 8
Sierra Leone by the inspector of polio
and conveyed to his new quarters,
very large house. Little notice wa
taken Of the king on his arrival {
Freetown. Altogether there we're abo,
irty people in the party. King Prem
:SN oh while on the BAHAMA showed /
M opreciated good wines. but his prefer
e Vas, decidedly for benedictine.