The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-12-30
EATS HUMAN FLESH
KING OF CANNIBAL ISLANDgA
DINED ON BRITISH SHIP.

Queer Customs of Himself and Hiss
People-Fattest Men of Tribes
Reserved for Eating-Girl @
| Given as Present to
British Captain.
Philadelphia, Dec. 22.-Tohave
entertained the king of a tribe of
African cannibals at dinner and to-
have been presented with one of the
rulers dusky daughters in appre-
citation of the courtesy was the u
nique experience of Captain F. l..
Foote, of the British barkentins
Mary Hendry, just arrived herA
and docked at Brown street wharf.
Captain Foots spent several weeks
in cruising along the African coast,
and the natives, in the hope of ss-
curing trade with him, made him
the recipient of various crude gifts.
In relating some of his experiences
Captain Foote said:
"King Ogby, whom I entertained
at dinner. is the ruler of the Jak-
Irimen, who inhabit Southern Nige-
ria. He was much impressed with
the vessel aud was much startled
when be partook Of roast pork. He
asked whether it was white or
black mans meat. Ogby is one of
the most prosperous rulers On the
coast. He has more than a thous-
ard slaves, numerous wives and
countless children. A few hours
after he left me young native girl
presented herself to me. She said
that she was a daughter of Ogby
and that he had sent her to me as
a gift. Of course I declined with
thanks.
While I was entertaining the
king I remarked to him that I
would like piece of tanned skin
for the purpose of making pair of
clippers. The next day one of Og-
by's slaves came to the vessel with
the hide of a negro. from the neck
to the waist. I was told that when
Oyby went ashore he ordered that.
one of his subjects be killed in orr
der to secure the skin. King Og.
by's tribesmen eat little else than
human fesh,- and certain of the
more robust are singled out to be-
killed for each meal. Of course in
time of battle they subsist on the
slain bodies of their enemies.
"It is remarkable to see what re-
ally expert workmen these Jakri-
men are. It is commonly believed
that they have inherited the lost
arts of Egypt, as their country is
directly west of that land. They
mine their own copper and gold.
From the copper they make the
strange coins of the country, and
also manufacture bowls and other
utensils, which they decorate with
rare designs. Perhaps a more re-
markable thing, however, Is the
fact that they make rings out of
gold, and one which was given to
me is engraved with the 70 signs of
the zodiac. No white man has ever
discovered how they work the met
ais.
"The musical instruments of
King Ogby'a tribe are unique. One
of them, I believe, is the primitive
banjo, being constructed of palm
fibres stretched on reeds fastened
in box. They make strange use
of these instruments. In war times
they signal to one another and hold
conversations by striking various
notes and cords. Among the things
/ received from Ogby were two
wooden paddles from the City of
Blood. This place is SO called be-
cause every year the natives sacri-
fee several hundred of their num-
her on the altars of. their Juju
idols"
Grip, Captain Foote'S English
bull terrier, was banished from Az
RIGA by Sir Ralf Moore, governor
of Southern Nigeria, aud the cap
tain took him aboard his vessel and
saved the dogs life. Grip is ex-
ceedingly antagonistic to four-foot-
ed animals, and killed valuable
horse belonging to the official.
The dog clung with such tenacity
to the horses throat that it was me-
cessary to use crowbar in prying
open his jaws.
Leave your orders for oysters at Zier-
offs on Tuesday,