The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24
GENIAL DU CHAILLU.
A Friends Recollections of the Ex-
pIorer-Hfs Work I'm Africa.

New York Commercial Advertiser.
Among the intimate friends of Paul du
Chaillu, who died the other day, was Ralph
L Shainwald, president of the Standard
Paint Company.
HE was one of the most genial, sweet
natured. kindly men / have ever known"
said Mr. Shainwald. "Du Chaillu certainly
had a lovely character. Why, that man
was a ray of sunshine wherever he went.
He was only five feet two in height. but he
was Injured by exposure His face was
bronzed and his head bald, except in the
back, where there was a fringe of snowy
white hair. There was always a merry ex-
preston in his eyes.
"He was a creole He had little to say
about his family. do not think he left any
living relatives. Du Chaillu was the young
est explorer that ever went to Africa. He
was only eighteen when he went there for
the first time. not in an expedition. mind
you, but on his own hook. The tales he could
tell of his experience! You see he was the
first white man to penetrate many parts of
the interior. The natives had never seen a
white man before nor even a revolver. They
called him the white god. One time he met
a chief who was possessed of 500 wives.
Wanting to keep on the right side of the
your pick He didn't though. Indeed, he
was never married.
About fifteen or twenty years ago Du
Chaillu brought the first gorilla that had
ever been seen in this country. / think the
museum he gave 1t to was burned and the
gorilla lost its life. Du Chaillu's own col
lection from Africa was also destroyed by
fire. But although he was put out about it,
he had such a happy nature that nothing
seemed to trouble him very much.
1T was he that discovered the dwarfs at
he hoe <>fx "A IL tnlA fhnxy fxyn1
in burrows in the ground. He grabbed one
by the leg and pulled 1t out 1t wasn't more
than three feet tall. yet full grown and per-
fectly developed. They lived on nuts and
herbs and were very shy.
'Du Chaillu's great book. the work of his
life, he told me. was to have been his de-
scription of Russia he had been working on
for ten years. He had private interviews
with the Gar, who gave him a carte
blanche. signed by hts Majesty. which
made 1t possible for him to obtain anything
in the land he might need.
His purpose was to start with the Car
and his court and go down through every
have good many letters from him written
while he was In Russia. The peasants, he
said, contrary to popular opinion, are very
pleasant and agreeable people.
HE found the Gar a very gentle, kindly
man. To facilitate his studies of Russian
life he set about to learn the language and
had just about mastered II. Wherever he
went Du Chaillu made friends. He was no
respecter of persons, treating the poorest
man he might meet with the same Difference
he would the Car Of Russia. He was a
humanitarian, always taking the part Of the
dog that was down.
THE late Judge DAILY and he were grea:
friends. think Judge DAILY left an annuity
friend Of Du Chaillu's was the King Of
Sweden. who was aware what the explorer
had done for the country in his books.
Children were always dear to the heart of
Du Chaillu, who used to tell them TO call
him Cousin Paul; in fact, II was by that
name he was known to his familiar ac-
quaintances.
las a lecturer Du Chaillu was no orator
but he was a magnetic man and drew people
toward him. suppose he made something
out Of his books. but he was not rich. He
was a sort of bohemian nature and spent
his money as 1t came. His purse was always
open to any who might apply. If he was
cheated he would pass IL of, saying, Well
1t did the other fellow some good This
made MADE MIN many frisnds; which was better
wherever he went"