The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-13
AN ABYSINNIAN BLACK
SURVIVOR OF ST. PIERRE DIsAS-
 TER IN MONTGOMERY.
Cornelius F. oliveierreux to Speak in Negro Churches-He May Locate in Alabama-An
 Interesting Career.

Cornelius F. Olivierreaux, an Abysin- nian black man of intelligence, reached Montgomery yesterday and will remain here several days, during which time he will speak in two negro churches.
 Olivierreaux, although a native Abysin- nian, lived some time in the island Of Martinique and says he was President of a college In St. Pierre when that city was destroyed last year by the eruption of Mt. Pelee. His wife and child. he says. were killed and he himself was terribly in- Jured. He was sent aboard a ship to g New York hospital, where he remained three months, after which he was given credentials by the British embassy stating that he was an educator of distinction and an ordained deacon of the Church of England.
 Arriving in Montgomery yesterday, Oh- vlerreaux presented his credentials to Rev. E. B. Cobbs. rector of St. Johns Episcopal Church, who provided hi mwith a lodging place and arranged for him to meet Rev. J. R. Brooks the negro Epis- copal clergyman of Montgomery.
 Episcopal Bishop of Alabama, will be in Montgomery, and OliWerreaux said last night that the negro clergyman would present him to Bishop Beckwith. He says he hopes to be able to do educational or parochial work among the negroes in the diocese of Alabama, although he explains that he is teacher and not preacher.
 Olixierreaux is a swarthy black who
  has thick lips and peculiarly distended nostrils, which, he says, marks the Aby- sinnian African. He contends that the Abysinnian blacks are not negroes. Tho ism applied to illiterate blacks in portions of Northern Africa. This contention. Olivierreaux says. made in his lectures, has given offense to American negroes.
 He had letters of introduction to H. M. Turner, the negro Methodist Bishop of Georgia, who, Olivierreaux says, became offended at his explanation of the term
 "But Bishop Turner treated my kindly" said Olivierreaux, and gave me a very pleasant letter."
 He produced the letter, which runs as follows:
 This is to certify that Professor Cor nelins F. olivierreaux, M. A; Ph; O., Martinique, Is hereby recommended to the ministerial brethren of this country. He has been driven from his home by the awful and overwhelming disaster of Mt. Pelee, which destroyed ma souls, on May 8. last. He was recommended to me by the authorities of the British Embassy but having no vacancies. I was unable to locate or find employment for him. Olivierreux says he is sure he would have been located by Bishop Turner had | it not been for an address he delivered ir Atlanta, In which he spoke in plain terms of the illiteracy and customs of the Amer | ican negro.
 | Speaking of his early life, Ollvierreaus | said he was born in Condor, Abysinnia and that his grandfather Is an Abysin- nian chief. All of his people are Mo hammedans. He was adopted by a retir ed English officer, whose name he took | This officer assumed his education and h' attended the best schools of Europe l Through the influence of his foster ia ther. Olivierreux says. he was ordained al | a deacon of the Anglican Church and wal sent to St. Pierre as President of tn, | Merchants College, with 2000 students.
 He was serving In this capacity. he says when the city was destroyed by the erup' | ton of Mont Pelee.
 | Olivierreux talks interestingly of the terrible scenes following the destruction | of St. Pierre.
 He will preach Sunday at St. Johns Methodist Church for negroes. on Madi. | son Avenue.