Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-01-02

of his dark complexion and raven
hair. He Is the greatest hero oi
Servian history. and to him his coun
try owes its independence from the
Turks.
He was reticent man ami gcner
ally respected, but was absolutely H.
literate. being unable 10 read or
write, and could not even sign his
name. When he became king he
used peculiar cipher ur rubic to
show his approval of state papers.
But he had natural ability and sagac-
ity. His integrity was never ques-
Spartan. He allowed his own brother
to suffer the death penalty as an ex-
ample to others for defying the auth
ority of the government While
King of Servia he wore the ordinary
peasants garb. because he said it
was more appropriate to his ignor-
ance and simple character than a
crown and robe of state, and he lived
with the same frugality as when he
was tending his pigs in the mountains
often cooking his own meals in the
palace Kltcnen.
karageorge drove out the Turks and
organized a liberal monarchy in Ser
via. Keenly appreciating his own de-
ficiencies, the first thing he did was
to establish free public school sys-
tenn in every province, with a unlver-
sity at Belgrade. He introduced
courts of justice, reduced taxation.
punished corruption. suppressed vice
and organized the different branches
of the government with the skill Of
an experienced statesman; but the
people were not able to advance at
his rapid pace and he suffered the
fate of many men who have heen
ahead of their generation. His cna-
mics encompassed him about, and his
critics interferred with his plans for
the Improvement of the country. In
fit of anger and indignation because
the public would not sustain his re
forms. he abdicated the crown after
a reign of nine years. He was the
founder of the Karageorgovitch fam
lily, which is one of the parties to "A
perpetual fcud for the control of Ser
via.
His rival. the founder of the other
faction, was also peasant the son
of house servant, man who did
menial work about the castle of a
prominent family name Obren- His
own name was Tescho, but, as is com.
mon among the Balkan peasants. he
had no family name, and when he
became CONSPICUOUS enough to Iced
one he adopted that of his master
and the first of the present reignine
house of Servia became known as
Milos Obren.
When Karageorge abdicated. NIilos
was the most influential man left in
the City of Belgrade, AMI the Turk
ish pasha who invaded the country
and captured the city appointed hin
governor of the province. This hon
or excited his ambition and jealousy
and. fearing a popular movement tc
recall Karageorge to the throne, ht
hired an assassin named Velchto tt
murder his unsuspecting rival while
| asleep in the shepherds hut he oc
cupied in the mountains.
Thus began the feud between tho
descendants of the two men. which
continues to the present day, and the
history OF Servia is little more thar
a recital of the rivalries between the
IObrenovitch and the Karageorgevitcf
families.
Milos finally succeeded in reaching
the throne, and, being man of very
different disposition from Karageorge
ruled as an autocrat until he wa.
compelled to abdicate by an outraged
people. and was succeeded by his
eldest son. Milan Ill.,, who died 6
month later. and his brother Michae
was seated.
Michael made good king He
was liberal, just, progressive and in
troduced many modern improvements
into Servia, besides carrying on the
reforms begun by Karageorge. He
built fine system of roads and high
ways. erected several good publ,
buildings, laid out parks, built al
opera house and an art gallery, al
of which were excellent things II
their way. but cost money. The
peasants. who have Always rulet
Servia. objected to what they called
German ideas" and drove Michae
from power, electing as king In his
place Alexander Karageorgevltch. Z
son Of the national hero. The latter
had held an humble position in the
Servian army. was modest. quiet ans
reserved. In an unostentatious way
ne continued the policy OF public i'm
provements begun by Michael en-
couraging the arts and Industries
| During his reign Servia enjoyed
peace for several years and mad'
rapid progress, but the dissatisfied
element soon began agitations again
and. encouraged by the partisans o
the Obrenovitch family. obtained con
troll of the parliament, which demand
ed Alexander's abdication. and calle'
back old Milos who had been in ex
lie In Austria. He reigned for TIVE
years, until he died. and It was goo'
for country that his life was not pro
longed, for he labored under the de
lusion that his recall was a vindlca
tion of his previous autocratic policy
/ and was worse than ever