Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-11-22

UId bullock team. and now prides him
self on the fact that he is still able to
crack Il 80 foot whip over 10 bullocks.
Kruger is devoted TO his wife, chill
dren, grand and great-g grand children,
while they in turn adore him. He lives
in a modest house, which stands back
from the sidewalk about II feet. There
is 4 grass plot in front and Il sentry
box inside OF the iron railing. This
house was presented TO him by 4 syn
dictate. When the volkSraad is in SEES
sion. a soldier IS stationed in front of
the presidents house, and no one, eX-
ceptinC officials. may enter the resi-
dence during the day without permits
sion. After . o'clock in the evening all
are welcome TO the chief executives
home.
Every morning at o'clock a negro
servant takes a cup of black coffee and
big pipe filed with tobacco to the
presidents room. As soon as he has
drunk the coffee Kruger rises and
smokes the pipe while he is dressing.
He is down stairs by $50 o'clock and
is ready TO lead the family prayers at
Z o'clock. Breakfast is served about
100 a. M. His morning hours are taken
tating of letters. The dinner hour is 1
o'clock. At all the meals Kruger says
grace before bread is broken. He takes
n short nap after the noon meal and is
ready promptly at o'clock in the aft
ernOOn to receive callers. The supper
is served ut u o'clock, and the conclu-
sion of this repast ends all the worri-
ment of the day for Kruger. Many
rift lny hnt of
thick black coffee are served at fire.
Quent intervals. Every person receiv-
ed is served with coffee. Besides his
salary of $4,000 a year, Kruger gets
$4,000 annually for coffee money.
There is 4 two gallon kettle of coffee
always hot in the kitchen.
Since Kruger was elected president
in 1881 he has been confronted with
some trying times. In 1888 his country
was in a bankrupt condition. 1t locked
as if n famine was going to overtake
the land, but then gold was found in
the BarbertOn district. y messenger
from the new goldfields took n sack Of
gold containing 20 ounces to the presi-
dent, presenting it to him as the first
yield of gold from the Transvaal. kru-
ger was aStounded when he saw the
gold. He asked where it came from
and was informed that it was from the
Barberton district.
is there any more left?" asked Kru-
ger.
He was told that the country was
rich in gold ore and that millions of
pounds could be secured where that
came from.
''Thank God, My country is saved"'
was his reply.
Kruger often expressed his regrets
that he was not able to receive an early
education. His only book for years
was Bible.
On the occasion of laying the last
bolt in the etoria-Delagoa Bay rail-
road, November, 1894, the president
went out in his private train to per-
form the act. At Bronkher Spruit
delegation of Beers met the presiden-
tial party. Kruger had to speak. Out
from the railroad station, about mile
distant, could be seen the three group
ed graves of the rear guard of n Brit
ish regiment which had been annihilat-
ed by the Beers. The present trouble
was beginning to make itself manifest.
At least Kruger was farsighted enough
to realize that the storm would burst
before very long. Looking Significant
ly toward the graves of the British
soldiers. Kruger said to the 200 old
Beers that had gathered round him:
This is our country. Never give it
up. Remember that we fought for it
and made it what it is. 1 will never.
never, never permit Il foreign foe to
take the Transvaal from you so long
as / shall live"