The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-06
STEVEN JOHN PAUL KRUGER.
Some Personal Traits Of the "Lfon Oh
Rustenburg."

New York Sun.
The state historian of the South African
Republic, Mr. Van Oordt, has recentiy puys
lished history Of the Transvaal. Wnlen
among the chief of whom is the President
Familiarity known as Dom Paul.
The founder of the family was a ce s,rn Il,
Jacob Kruger. who arrived at Cape Town IN
lib as a youth OF seventeen. In the service
of the Dutch East India Company. JACOB
Kruger was German. A descendant OF ms.
Caspar Kruger, married and settled on the
Bullock farm, near Colesberg. in Cape COZ
ony. 1t was there that Stephanus Johannes
Paul Kruger was born on Oct. 10, 49, Wniie
still quite child he had to help his parents
in his ninth year sometimes acting as shep-
herd, and even leading the oxen yoked IN
the wagon. Later. when yet too small TO
went after game with bow and arrows. and
returned to the farmhouse with many
Then came the trek into Natal, and he
went out into the wilderness TO begin lie
of toll care and danger. That was the
he was trained to be what he is. He re-
ceived his baptism of fire in battle with the
Matabele before the occupation Of Vechtkop.
the attack on the lager which followed the
massacre at Weenen, In Natal. At eighteen
he became assistant field cornet. and two
served as commandant and commandant
general, was one of the triumvirate during
the war of independence Tin 1SS0-S3), and
the territory of the republic by Great Brit
ain to its own government. BY his people he
is spoken of as the Lion Of Rustenburg. :.
Although republic, the Capitalization of
administration in the Transvaal is such
that nothing can be done without the con-
sent of the executive council. The conse-
quence is that business is often months in
arrears. MIR. Van Oordt admits the evil of
this and agrees with the contention of the
gated to the head officiais of the govern
ment President Kruger, however, Is most
strongly opposed to this. believing it would
stanced as the Transvaal is to intrust the
government wholly to officials. BE trust
worthy. but trust no one" is the Presidents
which is, according to his friends, the plain
wisdom of Paul Kruger; 1t Is, says Mr..
ard doubts whether others will do theirs.
The personal habits of President Kruger
strong drinks himself. but has said that he
believed God gave man strong drink to use,
and that there Is no harm in its moderate
ordinary life of well-to-do Afrikander, In
dulging neither in ostentation nor festivi-
ties, To poor burghers he has lent money
that they were honorable men: In char
acter Dom Paul is stiff necked-obstinate
some say-and full of hardihood. This
During the war of independence, with only
small escort, he rode into the kraai OF
the Beers. and. though he ran great risk
of being attacked, seized him by the neck.
The result of the interview. begun under
such unusual circumstances. was that the
chief remained quiet during the rest of the
war.
While still a youth his gun, which he had
overloaded in order to make sure of rhi-
noceros he was hunting, burst and shattered
the top of his left thumb. Before he could
FOR he was far distant from surgical help.
and threatened modification. He thereupon
amputated the thumb at the first joint with
a pocketknife, but finding the first operation
insufficient, he cut of the second joint, after
which the hand healed. AS his biographer
says: THE man who could do this is not
stories are told illustrating his strength of
will and endurance. of racing contests with
Kaf1rs lasting whole day, and his per-
AS to his place in history Mr. Van oordt
says, Paul Kruger has been compared with
Washington, with Lincoln, and even with
trious historical personages. 1t sounds well,
says the state historian. but the fact re-
mains that he can be compared with no
one. The circumstances of his bringing up.
those in which he has gained his influence
and ruled over his people for sixteen years.
have been so exceptional that Paul Kruger
can be compared with no other historical
character. To the Dutch of South Africa he
is simply Paul Kruger, man of them
selves, born into their troubles and tribu-
lations, who has contributed to their
trumphs, and is now, in his last years,
steering them through new dangers.
Mr.. Van Oordt. in concluding his sketch,
thus apostrophiZes him:
''All peaceful lies the lion of Rustenburg,
his eyes fixed on Cod his paw upon the flag
of independence. You mark no signs of at
tack; only the lion takes a watchful pro-
tecting grasp. But, take care! At the first
approach of danger he erects his name and
rises up. And woe! woe TO him, however
mighty he be, who dares touch the flag of
Transvaal independence The lion then will
fight; he will defend himself to the last drop
of his blood: and If he must fall dying and
conquered, then shall it be wrapped in the
vreiklem, which shall make the shroud of
Stephanus Johannes Paul Kruger"