Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-06-19
THE STORY OF A FLAG
STRANGE INCIDENT OF A NATIVE.
1 FEAST AT APlA.
A silken Emblem of the Confederate
States That Was Flown by a CHIEF
of the samoan lslands Money
Couldn't Purchase II.

States That Was Flown by a CHIEF |
of the samoan islands -Money
Couldn't Purchase II.
Soon after Judge Chambers was sent to
Samoa by President Cleveland he attend
ed one of the great gala festivities and
feasts so famous among the natives of |
these Pacific islands, These feasts are
never to be forgotten by those who once
attend. The natives come from many
miles around the islands. Most of them
reach Apia. where the feasts take place,
in boats. Sometimes there are over 500
boats, with from 2 to 81 oars each, con-
tanning persons enoughto fill them.
The scene is one of the most pictur-
esque to be found in any part OF the
world Before the feasts boat races and
aquatic sports take place in the hnrbor OF
Apia, and up to the time the islands were
partitioned the representatives of the for
eign governments were interested specta-
tors, and the natives considered the pres
ence of the foreigners great and i1npor-
tant honor.
The feasts might be called picnics for
they are held in the open air, but instead
of pies, pickles, cakes sandwiches and
lemonade. the customary refreshments ut
picnics, the natives kill md roast hun
T dreds OF pigs. geese. chickens and other
fowls, besides having many varieties of
fish. Some beautiful grove is the only
table. and the ground whore the food is
I spread is covered with the rich green
lenves Of the banana tree. The sreatest
hospitality is always evidenced, the ma
tives paying especial attention to their
guests.
AT the conclusion of the feast it is the
custom to divide the remaining food
among the people it being proportional
according to post!on-the higher n man
stands the larger the amount OF left over
food he has sent to his house. In this.
rs during the course of the feast, there is
the greatest precision in the manage
ment. AT no time is there a scramble.
The occasion is delightful one to people
unaccustomed to it.
All the native chiefs bring flags OF
! some kind when coming to the feasts
md take the greatest care of them said
Judge Chambers in describing Samoan
feast TO n group of friends. ".rhey are
fond of any kind of flag Those chiefs
who cannot secure the flags of nations
use fancy pieces OF cloth and tattered
garments. He is a poor man, an uniln-
portant chief who does not own a flag.
Looking out on the beautiful scene in the
llarbor of Saiuon on this gala day the.
have spoken of. noticed GD3l dyinS q
flag that could nG MnEe out. took
glass AMI saw what Ithought was Con
faierute flag. could not believe it pos
sib!e, however, md waited until the boat
cnme nearer. Then saw plainly that it
WIS genuine flag of the Confederacy.
naturally was greatly interested and sent
one OF my servants to ask the chief to
como to see me.
When he came, began questioning
him about the flag. hut he would give me
no information. lie was a man of good
features and was apparently chief Of
consequence in his neishborhood. 1, Of
course, wanted to get possession of the
tlas and did not suppose that would
have the least trouble in doing so, par
ticularly as the natives were fond of ex-
, changing flags. and that OF the United
States was a fayorite with them, the flag
of England being next and of Germany
next.
II offered the chief flag of the Unit
ed States for his Confederate flag He
said quietly that he could not make the
exchange I then offered him new flag
of England or of Germany He refused
these also. ard suspected that he was
trying to drive shrewd bargain with
me. ! next offered him bolt of cloth
worth considerable money, and when he
refused TINT offered him q barrel of
meat the most tempting and costly thing
in the mind of native. AS nothing
could induce him to make the exchange,
asked him his reasons for refusing.
I'm reply he said that one day long
ago a white man came to his hut He
supposed the man had come from Apia.
He had several bundles in his possession
and preserved them with the utmost
care. The stranger, the chief told me,
was a man of great dignity and of an
amiable disposition. The natives soon
came to love him much aud took pleasure
In providing him with every dclicacy
they could obtain. The chief himself be
came deeply attached to him, aud when
the white mans health began to fail
there was universal regret among the
natives. When the stranger saw that his
end was near. be called the chief to him
and directed that one of the bundles in
his possession be opened. Then there
was displayed beautiful silken flag, but
worn by handling.
See that fagg said the stranger.
We'll. it was the flag of my national
great people 1t went down in defeat
but decided that it should never be sur
rendered. So left home, kinsmen and
friends and came here with it. l am
going to give it to you. Never let white
man have it in his hands
THAT was the dying injunction Of the
stranger. and the chief had sworn that
the flag should always remain with him.
He had made his tribe swear to keep it
and never part with it; that when he died
the succeeding chief should take it and
bury it where no human being would
ever find it.
1.-The chiefs story was told in simple
but affecting words. l made many other
offers to secure the flag. but he was firm
to the end and went away that afternoon
with the flag i'll his boat. l instituted
some inquiries later and sent several ma
tives to the chiefs home to make offers.
but they were unsuccessful.
When came back to this country and
told the story to some Confederate
friends. they agreed TO take steps to re-
cover the nag il possible. Some years
later they began q systematic effort. but
the old Chief had passed away. the flag
had disappeared, and the members of the
tribe would give no information as to its
wherea bouts. y Washington Star