The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-24

Great Britain took control Of the Cape
colony In 1883 began the great trek
beyond the vaal river, out Of which have
grown two Beer Republics. the Orange
Free State and the Transvaal. He trek
ked' with the rear guard in 1883.
In common with all the burghers Of
the trek, he had three trades-farmer.
hunter and soldier The ZuIus and KAT
frs were splendid lighters, and the Beers
who stole their land. had 10 fight for every
inch OF it.
It is said Of him that in race with
the three swiftest Kafir runners he dis
tanced them BY ten miles, making eighty
miles in twenty-four hours over the
toughest country.
It is also said of him that once when
chased on horseback by a wounded buf-
falo he turned in the saddle and brought
the buffalo down by ball through the
shoulder.
He lives in long, low. two-story gable
rooted cottage on the main street of Pc
toria.
His salary as president is about $500
a year, but his wife. Vrouw Kruger, who
manages the expenses, keeps the estab-
lishment going on the 5000 OF coffee
money allowed by the state.
He rises at a. m. and sets to work
at once on public business. He never
takes wine or spirits, but expects his
guests to smoke pipe and drink d cup
OF coffee with him.
In the eyes of the Kafir tribes he bears
a charmed life, and towards the end of
the wars he used only TO fight with a
big whip in his hand. at sight Of which
they fed.
He is a regular attendant at divine ser
vice in the little church close by the pres
idendal mansion. at times leading the
services and even preaching. At all times
he sets an example of devoutness.
One Of the familiar stories about him
is that once when suffering from the
toothache he refused to allow a dentist
to charge him a dollar for pulling the
tooth. and. opening his jack-knife. neat
ly scooped out the moIar from his gum.
His eye is small and twinkling. like the
eye Of an elephant.
When asked IL he knew any English
he said that he knew when he was spok-
en- i'll of. He speaks English fiuently,
but Will never admit it to Englishmen.
In politics he is not wholly without
guile When the Johannesburg Board Of
Health was filed by English, he issued
a decree that all the transactions of the
board must be carried on in the Boer
tongue-which is as easy 10 learn as the
Chinese tongue.
His sense Of humor is illustrated by the
story Of his nephew who wanted a gov
eminent job. Dom Paul told him kind
ly: 4 can do nothing for you. For a su-
bordinate position you are lacking in in
telligence, and all the higher offices are
filed"
His first official position came to him
in 1872, when he was chosen a member
Of the Executive Council under Presi-
dent Burgers.
He was first elected President for an
unfinished term in 1852 and reelected for
fun term Of five years in 1853. In May.
1885 he was reelected for a fourth fun
term.
His continuous tenure Of Office exceeds
that OF any other living President OF
republic. President Diaz OF Mexico, held
Office from 1876 to 1850 and has been pres
ideHt continuously since 1854
He advised the Volksraad not to quar-
rel with Queen Victoria because she was
"a hard woman" But in 1897 ne advocated
making the Queens jubilee a Boer na-
tional holiday.
At the time Of the Jameson raid the
raiders were puzzled 20 know how the
Transvaal government had been kept IL
formed OF their plans. The conspira,ors
met in the barrooms Of johannesburg.
ted that mischief vas afoot ne enlisted
IN his cause all the barmaids.
HIS photograph has made everyone IA
mi.iar with his Big Galway beard. his
bsggy eyes. a Ia Bismarck. his high hat.
his Uniting clothes and his heavy boots.
IN addition he Is unudy both about hts
clothes ard his person. usually displaying
a crgmpIed shirt front and a wiItedsco.-
lar When IL suits 20 take oG his coat
and discuss questions % state in his
ssirt sleeves he has 70 hesitation about
doing 50.
vrouw Kruger e typical Beer house
vie. doing a great 6eaI of the house
WORK NTH her own hands ard zIxays
taking hand IN cooking and IN the fsrn-
ily washing wHen tbsrs Is company she
viii allow 10 Gre else 20 WaIt On ths
guests. and she Is % plain and 5emocrz-
&c il every way as her husband
S5ue o MS sayings: Y an tsls that 70
foreigner can become Presisert = fhs
Uuiset States. ard pet Eaz,ans does rot
sea4 messages protesting against tk2s 81
a. admitted grievance.
= an TIRE COOK. and knoz lt ~css4
take Ysry atl-e Eagar % spot ere Beer
meal
~ Ord ths Engsssh government esgf-
iag = Work Nlgh re taea w.H 60 fse
sans t1T E-Ean1. Each hard zaus, wasA
IRE ether haa8 x o1s aan8 wasaes ana
ne stzer asaTs 15le psrfgFee. e7e sssn4
zs1ss gazzalz dirty