New-York tribune., 1903-04-19

Savannah, Ga. April 1s (SpeciaD.-The Navy De-
partment collier Justin. which sailed the other day
from Cavte by order of Rear Admiral Evans. COM
mander inchief of the Asiatie squadron. bound for
the little island of zap. in the Caroline group, goes
on a strange mission.
The visit to zap is made for the purpose of TAX
ing there lawyer from Savannah, who is looking
out for the interests of certain residents Of Georgia
who claim to be heirs of the late King O'keefe of
Yap who is said to have left valuable estate. The
claimants are the wife and child of O'Keefe.
OKeefe had several native wives and children in
his island kingdom, and they undoubtedly will
sist any attempt on the part of the American heirs
to secure possession of any part of his estate.
1t is romantic story. that of David O'Keefe.
born in Tipperary, who before he died became
king not in name only, but in fact governing
thousands of subjects he thought best.
The average Irishman enjoys an adventure. The
sons of the greensward intrepid mariners and
hardy landsmen, and their love for the unconven-
ventional often leads them into strange places and
brings about peculiar results The average de-
fender of the Harp of Erin is always prepared for
the unexpected and ready to adapt himself to cir
cumstances. 1t is because this tendency OF the full
blooded Emerald Islander was so thoroughly a part
of his that David O'Keefe. a former Savan-
nah resident, but native of the oppressed island
to be known The King of the Island OF
Yap" He deserved the appelatOn. for man
owing allegiance to Uncle Sam has done to
acquire a kingdom than O'Keefe and defended it
successfully after acquiring it. OKeefe was the
ruler of thousands of people They were untutOred
and savage but they revered him. and his law
theirs What he said went He ruled his people
with the sway of a monarch born to command, but
all the time claimed be American citizen, and
established his claim. too, at time when 1t meant
a great deal for him to do so.
The small islands of Serang and St David. in
the Southern Pacific. and the islet of zap. the
larger island of the same name were his TO do
with what he liked. They in the Caroline group,
hin in her financial extremity sold
Germany, but they have not passed under the con-
troll of the German Government They were
OKeefe's while he lived. and his widow is ready to
claim them now that he is dead. This widow lives
in Savannah and her attorney. Walter G. Hart
ridge has gone to seek the vast estate the
husband of his client left. and secure for Mrs
O'Keefe her share of the estate. varously esti-
mated 10 be worth from 100000 TO $3.O00O0O- IL
has been reported that the holdings of the King
were worth s1OO00.OoO but this is said by his attor-
news to be eKagseratiOn.
O.Keefe lived among the natives OF his Islands
for almost thirty years. He studied their habits
He catered to their prejudices. and after estaD-
fishing a firm hold among them he made them
cater TO his He became their ruler His word was
law on the small islands of Serang and ST David
and no one dared sainsay what he averred was law
or custom. The islands were acquired III "A lesiu-
mate way from chiefs of the tribes that inho-
tied them The iset of zap came into Ms posses
sion in the same manner. He acquired it from
native chief and he heId 'oh 20 MS PO77e79iOiN7
until death claimed him.
I-,+u the wear 1871 OKeefe was the captain or
sr,au steamer the Islander plying the waters OF
e-a,pab He had come over from Ireland some
tir,a hafore and had acquired some property. lie
lost n In a drydock building scheme IN Savannah
Ne found that good place to sink his money TO
t-te,,a his lost cash he started steamboating and
o., a,eraI years did a thriving business with the
.. ,,eproes of Georgia and South Carolina lhese
- not much above the natives of the caroline
T,onds IN intelligence. and O'Keefe may have
I.d ths secret Of successful trading with the
I,,,s from these experiences.
II 1871 the captain of the ship Belvidere. then at
e.,orrab offered O'Keefe the berth OF first ofhcer
= that vessel II piled between Savannah and
',.arnooI making least two trips each year II
-.. looked upon as splendid place for young
oe4cer and O'Keefe glad TO get It He ieit
habird MIN a young wife of year and niue
~ Girl expecting be back in half year
49, mas the last time he Of the members
:, bis family. Reaching Liverpool. he met some
la f-,e,ds who were bent trying their fortunes
a., china O'Keefe. adventurer and seeker atter
,,n.. went 10 Hong Kong with them.
p-,on, that trip he began 10 prosper. lie fcund
h,r,.elf on the island OF Zap. seventeen hundred
r,iIes from Hong Kong and saw an opportunity 70
maks money. He embraced the opportunity lie