The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-26
SIR HARRY TALKS
OF IMPRESSIONS
English Knight Spends Day In
The City.
NOTED AFRICAN TOURIST
Has Been In Numerous Conferences
With President Roosevelt About
African Trip-WilI Leave
Birmingham Today.


"I am like a reformed burglar about
hunting" said Sir Harry Johnson,
whose conferences with President
Roosevelt have won him fame in Amer
lea, when asked about his weeks hunt
at Conner Il have enjoyed so much
of the best hunting that l have re-
tired to the use of the snap shot and
my camera
Sir Harry is President Roosevelt's
bridge from the presidency to the Afri-
can huntsman. He has been in cor-
slant conference with the chief eX-
ecutive because of his familiarity with
the province of Urganda, into which
President Roosevelt has planned his
trip. The English knight is recognized
as an authority upon the people, Gus
toms and especially the big game OF
the dark continent. six times | have
survived the horrible fevers of the
province" he said, land no doubt up
on further visits l will be attacked
again"
He has written book on ''Urganda,
which is a graphic description of the
life along the Congo. 1t is in the
Libraries of number of Birmingham
citizens among them James Bowron,
who said yesterday that he considered
it one of the truest expositions of the
life along the Congo, the slave trade,
and the efforts at civilization in the
| Jungle.
1t was through his able handling of
some boundary troubles in the British
possessions that he received the honor
of knight hood and also acted as con-
sui general. Sir Henry after many
conferences with the President on
route, necessary tackle and the many
exigencies of his excursion, was per-
suaded by the President to take
southern trip and is honored with the
kind reception due his rank and per-.
sonality from all the Presidents
friends along the line.
He is making a study of sociological
conditions in the south and will write
his impressions for the Century mag
azne. This in fact, is the only work
he will undertake while on his vaca-
ton as he said that this is entirely
pleasure trip, the first of his life,
years of his African service.
Sir Harry does not appear, however,
to be overNorked. 81 have improved
wonderfully since coming to America"
he said. Upon looking into the mir
ror the other day l remarked to my
valet that my wife would hardly rec
ognize me. One of the most extra
ordinary changes has occurred When
1 left England my hair, while not
gray, had a decided grayish tendency,
and now that has almost disappeared.
You Americans would, of course, sug
gest that ] have been using hair To-
| ton. but L haven't.
IT love this country, it's climate and
its people. Your West Virginia is al
most as pretty and as picturesque as
our Wales, though not so green. In
passing through Tennessee 1 was
deeply impressed you know, by the
remarkable beauty and natural ad-
vantages of the scenery and down
about Union Springs I came upon some
of the most exquisite scenes it has
ever been my pleasure to witness
At the reception held yesterday
morning at the Hillman hotel, he and
James Bowron recalled many child
hood experiences and talked over their
native country to quite an extent.
They both remembered having heard
Stevenson, the great African mission
airy, talk at the Royal Academy and
earnestly recited their Impressions of
his stirling worth and high character.
Sir Harry has since written a book
on the life of Stevenson. His literary
efforts have been extensive and wide
ly circulated. He is now preparing
a book on George Greenfield and the
Congo" which gives the life of tne
! Baptist missionary, commenced by
himself, and since his death completed
by Sir Harry at the request of the
missionary's widow.
The English knight is small of stat
ure and apparently 40 years of age
although he said, Il am Just a few
months older than President Roose-
Welt" which places him above so. He
is still good for much active outdoor
life. Together with his valet he will
continue his tour of the south for
a few weeks, thence to Cuba and then
home to England
While in Alabama he has been the
guest of Joseph o. Thompson and E.
w. Thompson, having spent few days
on the latter's plantation in Conner.
He will leave Birmingham this after
noon.