The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-05-05
Varied
Career
OF FORMER PRESIDENT OF HAY
I'll rs ENDED BY DEATH IN
FOREIGN LAND.
Picturesque Ruler
Was Nord Alexis who ruled over the
turbulent island with a rod of iron
though bowed down with the
weight of q hundred years.


Kingston Jamaica, May 1.-Nord
Alexis, a former president of Hayti,
died here at O'Clock this morning,
following brief illness. His health,
however, had been considerably
broken by the experiences Of the last
year and half after he was deposed
and sent in axile.
refuge here since the
revolution of 1902 and was possess
ed of considerable property In Kings
ton.
A picturesque ruler was removed
from office when Nord Alexis was
compelled to abdicate and flee from
Haiti on December 23, 1908. Port
Au Prince Was then in the hands Of
the revolutionists and General An
tonic Simon, who afterwards became
President, was marching up the
peninsula with an army Of S 900 mon.
Long and Varied Canoer.
Nord Alexis was variously esti-
mated at from 30 to 100 years old.
He was a descendant of one of the
oldest families OF Haiti. After hav-
dng been educated under the care of
his parents, he entered the Haitien
army and his bravery soon drew
him into public attention. He took
part in many wars and in 1896 re-
belled against Hippolyte, who pre-
viously had overthrown President
Legitime. Hippolyte died the same
year, while preparing to march
against the rebels and he was sue
ceeded by General Sam.
= Nord Alexis, became President in
1902.
His term was to have, expired May
Is, 1909, but his administration was
not conspiculonsly successful, Prom
inent politicians grumbled because
he did NOT, give them what theyl con-
sfdered their falf Share OF the .spoiis,
and his conduct in furnishing some
notorious looters Of the; national
Treasury excited widespread indlg-
nation as it was regarded as a gross
breach Of precedent.
A Reign Of Terror.
Early in 1908 the movement
against Alexis had gained great
strength, and in March a reign Of
terror was suddenly inaugurated; in
Port all Prince. the Government
sending out troops, who seized many
Of the revolutionists, even dragging
them from their beds and summarily
put more than a score of them TO
death.
The number Of executions, accord
ing to some reports, reached as high
as 48. The warships Of four nations
went in haste to Port, all Prince, and
their arrival put the seal Of security
on the lives and property Of foreign
erS.
President Alexis achieved the
double purpose Of killing as many
of his foes as he could lay hands on
and striking terror into the hearts
Of those who were beyond his reach.
Forced Into Exile
For only a few months, however,
did Alexis maintain his rule. In
November he ordered General An
for 20 years, to come to Port Au
Prince and confer with him on the
political situation. General Simon
refused to comply and took UP arms
against the President. His march
to the capital was a triumphant one,
for he seized numerous towns and
gathered large forces under his ban
ers. With his approach to Port Au
Prince the people of~that city turned
against their President.
They surrounded the place on the
morning Of December 2 and took
possession Of the city. At the last
moment Alexis yielded to the pleas
Of those about him and decided to
take refuge on board the French war
ship Duguy TrOuin.