The morning news., 1897-07-17
1856 Carroll street, he lives in coy apart

1876 Carroll street, he lives in cozy apart
ments with his wife and child.
The way he happened to enter Fiji Is
land life was peculiar. He was born in
Connecticut. His father was a seafaring
man. He too followed that trade. But
when still a young man his health began
to fail. In order 10 recuperate he was sent
on a voyage to the South Sea Islands and
the Samoan Islands, but found but little
benefit in the trip. Hearing that the eli
mate of the Fiji group was salubrious
Burt wished to go there, even though his
friends warned him that, as the Islands
were inhabited by cannibals, he was like
y to be eaten before he had been a day
in the place. Undismayed, he got a friend
who was captain of sailing vessel, to
take him to the place.
on arriving off the coast of the island
the ship cast anchor in a bay near the
hut of the king of the place, and the cap
tain, who understood the language of the
natives, made a sign by which he inform
ed them that he had on board a white
man who desired to live with the Fijians.
In a short while canoe filled with native
young men, among whom was the son Of
the king, shot out from the land. Burt
was told that the king would make him
welcome, so he set out with the savages,
and the ships of his friends left him, as
they thought, to be eaten possibly before
the week was out.
On landing he was taken at once TO the
huge hut of the king. The rich tropical
vegetation made the place a bower above
which lowered the magnificent palms and
cocoanut trees, and all about stood hun
dreds of warriors.
On Burts appearance a council of the
tribe was called by the beating of a sharp
tattoo on a drum, and after all were as
sembled the white man was presented 70
them, his object in coming among them
related and he was formally adopted by
the tribe. As a special mark of favor the
king gave him his niece In marriage, and
the vConnectieut sailor became, a member
of the royal household Of a, chief of canni-
balls. A royal hut was given him. his au-
thority was that of prince, and, instead
of being eaten, he was one of the lords
of the nation, the first white man who
| ever lived In the place. The only inter-
course with the whites before had been
that with the few trading ships which
touched at the island about once year
Burt now commenced life which lasted
for thirty-eight years, and 1t was to him
very happy one. He had large estate and
was treated with the greatest respect and
implicit obedience, and though the NATIVES
still held their feasts at which human
flesh was eaten he never had any fear
that he would be called upon to furnish
the meat for any repast.
Though now greatly civilized through
the influence of the white race, the Eijians
were at the time of Burts entrance into
their life in a state of barbarism. They
were truthful and trustworthy and In
many respects possessed manly and noble
virtues. yet they were tainted with saw
age beliefs and held to the horrible GUS
tom of eating human flesh. Their religion
was a belief in a future existence and In
two classes of gods, the first immortal,
and living in the form of a serpent. Nden-
gei-a deity who cared little for earthly
affairs. The second class of gods was com
posed Of the spirits Of heroes, warriors
and chiefs who had become illustrious IN
life These gods were not represented by
idols, but were accustomed TO speak
through the inspiration Of the native
priests. Certain of the groves were sacred
TO these deities.
only the women were tattooed. The
families were grouped about in towns,
each village having chief who owed ale
glance to a central supreme one. All that
a man had belonged to his chief, who was
equally as generous in return. But In times
of war the rule of the chief was absolute
over life and property. As far as cann-
ballsm was concerned, 1t was custom to
kill and eat the shipwrecl1ed strangers
cast upon the coast Widows we're also
strangled at the death of their husbands,
and slaves when their masters died, while
victims were slain to celebrate the build
ing Of a house, launching of canoe or
visit from ambassadors of another tribe.
Yet when not at enmity with one, they
were a kind, hospitable and polite people.
After the missionaries began to come TO
the islands there was at FIRST no end or
fine meat in the larder. but at last the
old king accepted the teachings OF Chris
tianity, and when the king, known as the
Sea King, refused to go with his royal
brother the old gentleman gave him the
choice OF becoming a Christian or leav-
ing the country. The Sea King accepted
the latter alternative and, accompanied
nv several hundred Of his men, went 10
the beach. Stepping into his canoe he
drove II into the stormy surf In such
way that he compelled II 90 upset, and
he. with his followers, met death In the
wave rather than accept the teachings
Of the missionaries.
In 1872 or somewhere near that time,
Burt made an offer OF the islands 10 the
United States. The islands wished TO be-
come a part OF the union. but Uncle Sam
refused the gift. In 1874 the islands were
taken possession Of by the English, who
appointed a governor, who rules at pres
ent His sway Is almost despotlc, but the
natives who are now sem-civllized, are
rapidly becoming acquainted with the re-
fnements OF the white race.
on the taking OF the Islands by the Eng
llsh, there are a complication Of matters.
produced by the fact that Burt several
Americans and several German citizens
held large tracts Of valuable plantation
lands, and these could not be included ln
the accessions 70 the crown.
Burt did not leave the islands till 1896.
two years ago, and then came on TO Wash
ington In regard 70 his claims OF land.
Here he was Joined a year later by his
wife and child. This wife is a refined
English lady whom he married after the
death OF his native WIFE, the niece OF the
old king. The captains business In town.
which has 10 deal with his old home IN
FIJI, is likely 20 conclude az an early date
most successfully, and he then expects
70 return ana spend the rest Of his life IN
FIJI.