Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1906-06-05

land were remote, some one, whose
business it was to know, could al
ways account for him. He was often
seen driving out accompanied ny his
favorite wife and Prince Wanilo. Once
each month he appeared at the gov
ernor's to receive the allowance made
him by the French government. He
always appeared in public attired in
his kingly robes and invariably smok-
ing cigar in a very long pipe.
The government allowed him a
house, too, where he and his family
lived peacefully, sadly and always
with with longing for his former do
minions. He made many requests to
be returned to Dahomey, and his ex-
Ped condition moved many people TO
interce0u Tor him. The local popu
lation sympathized with him, officials
pleaded his cause, and for years polit-
icai journals of the colony have
teemed with editorials bewailing his
sad position. Finally the minister for
the colonies compromised and consent
ed to his transfer to Algeria.
Behanzin never liked any of the
features which other people find so
charming in Martinique. When he
was brought here after the end of that
memorable campaign in West Africa
when his warriors cut up whole com
panies of the French soldiery he was
confined for a time in the old Fort ST.
Louis. 1t was thought he would be
more reconciled if given more liberty,
so he was allowed much freedom.
During the volcanic disturbance of
Mount Pelee, in 1902, he was very rest
less, and his discomfort was marked
during the recent seismic movements.
Anything served as an excuse to ask
to be sent back to his country.
OF the thousands of tourists who
came to Martinique many were more
anxious to see Behhanzin and hobnob
with royalty than to look upon the
many scenes Of beauty and interest
for which the island is justly cele-
brated. He was indeed a royal exile.
The exiled king returns to Africa.
but not to his own country. In AL
geria he will still be an involuntary
exile. People here will now be more
interested in the voluntary exiles, of
whom there are a number, such as
former President Simon Sam, OF
Hayti; Lafontant, former minister OF
finance. and several deputies and gen.
erals, all OF whom have been con-
demned to death by default in the
Haytian republic and are here wait
ing the passing of President Nord be-
fore II will be safe to return to the
black republic.
Behanzin's son, Prince Wanilo, is an
Illustration OF what education can do
for man. Educated In the common
schools and the Lycee of Martinique.
ne compared favorably with his black |
and white fellow students In mis- stud |
les, and this in a country where the |
OF education is very high.
Wanilo in late years was always pres
snt when the king deigned to give an |
audience. He is the mouthpiece OF
lis dethroned father and translates his
native tongue into beautiful French. |
OF Behanzin's three wives one is HIS
avorite, of course, the youngest. his
avoritism is indicated by her con-
slant presence at his side, and she is
always seen holding an umbrella over
Ter regal spouse. She shows her de-
Yotion. also, by holding for him a
mall glass dish like finger bowl,
lalf full Of sand, always ready for
UGH use as a smoker might have for
vessel OF this kind. This duty is
ometimes delegated to one OF the
Ither wives.