Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-28
DEATH OF SAMORY.
A Man Who Once Lorded 1t Over 500,
600 People in West Africa.
New York SUM-

tNeW oTh SUM-
The Emir Samory, who has cut a
larger figure in the affairs of West
Africa for the past 20 years than any
other native, has just died, prisoner
in the hands of the French at Libre-
vile, in the Gaboon region. His pres
tige and power had been waning for
some years. About two years ago, the
French caught their old enemy near
the northern border of Dahomey, car
red him to the coast and kept him
under guard, so that he might do no
more mischief. They were very happy
over the downfall of Samory, who had
given them more trouble for many
years than all the other native poten-
tates in West Africa together.
Samory was a slave when he was a
little boy. The chief who owned him
gave him as a ransom to another chief
for a woman who had been taken cap
tive. Samorys new owner was an i'm
portant parsonage in West Africa, the
Marabout Sorry Idrahina, and as his
little slave grew up he attracted much
attention from the Marabout and from
everybody else in the country who had
anything to do with native politics; for
SamOry became n young man of great
intelligence, courage and talent for in
trigue. He was SO bright that the
Marabout made him his chief adviser
Samory always looked out for No.
in a very keen and able manner. One
day he thought he saw a chance to bet
ter his fortunes. and so he deserted his
old master and joined forces with
more powerful chief. 1t was a sorry
bargain for the latter, for in few
years Samory turned against him, de-
feated him in battle and took the whole
country into his own keeping He was
now a prince on his individual account
with throne of his own. and he be-
gan to enlarge the borders of his do
minion.
Samory's career of conquest was bril-
liantly triumphant lie compelled one
petty chief or kinglet after another to beg
pardon for the resistance they offered
and proclaim themselves the vassal of
the great Samory. He set out to conquer
about 100 little states in the interior Of
West Africa ana carried out the joh with
great thOroughneSS. By the time he cot
through ne was the abSulut. master of
100000 people III the western Soudln ana
iordeu It over country east Of Liberia
and Sierra Leone that is larger than most
Of the states Of Europe.
But Samory was not satisfied with the
empire he had carved out for himself
He wished To be master Of the whole
western Soudan, ana on account of this
ambition ne got into hot water with the
French. He would push into the terri
tory they claimed on the upper Niger.
and they would drive him back Then the
French would push up the Niger into
Samory's realm, and he defeated many a
French expedition. for it was long be-
lore the French sent "A
powerful native that WAS adequate to
cope with him. Ii was not till 1891 that
they finally dealt him a series of blows
that greatly damaged his prestige ana
stripped him OF considerable territory.
The conflict wagcd for years after that.
Samory gradually losing all he had
gained; until in the last stage Of the
struggle he was driven from pillar To
post, mere hunted fugitive The French
flags now floats over al the territory that
Samory acquired ana the Ola Emir prob
ably welcomed the end that has come at
last. He had lost everything that made
life desirable.