South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-19
Local Man, Lone Snv~UiU0r of Stanley
Expedition, Tells of Exploration Into
Darkest Africa and Other AdUentuYeS

was reluctant 20 talk about Capt
Stanley other than 10 say that they
often spent their evenings together.
and that during their talks Capt
Stanley told him many interesting
stories concerning his personal ex-
periences and from them he was
able TO gather much OF the charac-
teristics and life OF the great ex-
plorer. He steadfastly refused 10
divulge these facts. however. saying
be preferred 20 keep them for use In
his forthcoming book
He said that after they had left
the last white colony in Africa.
Capt. Stanley gathered the members
OF his expedition together and adj
dressing them. said. Now YOU say
goodbye 20 the Stanley OF Europe.
From now on YOU are associated
with the Stanley Of Africa"
After the exploring party had left
the ship 20 begin their overland
journey into the interior Of Africa.
Mr. DeMan never saw or heard from
any of the party again. Some years
later Capt Stanley visited the
United States but did not visit South
Bend. Mr. DeMan says that insofa-
as he knows he is the only living
member OF that expedition.
After three years i'm Africa AIr.
DeMan returned 10 his home in Hol-
land for a short vacation. after
which he returned TO Africa for two
years more. Before going 70 the
Belgian Congo for the first time he
had met a girl in Holland with whom
he fell in love. Shortly before leav-
ing Africa the second time, he wrote
her letter asking her TO marry
him. although he had not seen her
for II years and did not know
whether she was dead or alive Upon
his return 10 Holland ne met her
again and they were married.
Gave Up Adventurous Life.
His wife did not care to lead the
life Of adventure which so held him
and so he secured a position as chief
engineer at one Of the largest hotels
in London. After several months
there the hotel changed hands and
as Mrs. DeNIan was about TO give
birth To child and wanted it TO be
born in her native Holland. they
left London and returned TO Am
sterdam
DeMan secured position with
the government there, travelling
over the country building steam en-
gines. Three sons were born to them
i'm Holland. John. the Oldest is an
artist with the i. p. Hardy Co. Of
South Bend and it is with him that
Mr.. DeMan makes his home Adrian
is a craftsman in the patent depart
ment of the Singer Sewing Machine
Co. New York, and the Youngest
son, Henry. is now an electrician in
the employ of the Mishawaka Wool
en- Co.
About 90 years ago the family
moved to this country and lived in
Iowa for four years. The desire to
give his children the advantages of
the city led Mr.. DeMan to come TO
South Bend. Here he worked as q
steel pattern maker His wife died
nine years ago. All three Of the
sons were in the service during the
war.
And now, after 20 years away
from his native Holland. Mr.. DeMan
is making preparation TO return
there i'm May. He has a sister. over
20 years OF age, living IN Amsterdam,
and many Of his wife's relatives still
live there. He expects to be gone
about three months.
Years Kind to Him.
The % years since the Stanley ex-
petition in Emin Pasha. have been
kind TO John DeMan, and as he sat
there i'm his living room the other
day, calmly smoking a cigaret. his
mind was keen and his humor sharp
as he related the outline of his life.
His clear. blue eyes. sparkled like
those of a youth and his large, virile
hands. gesticulated with enthusiasm
as he explained the pictures con
tanned i'm photograph album The
album contained several taken at the
time he was I'm Africa but these ne
refused 10 let out of his grasp. saying
that there were none other like them
in the world and that he had lost
the greater part of an extensive col
lection by loaning them.
And 50 with a hearty good bye Il"
and a warm handclasp, together
with a sincere invitation from Mr..
DeMan TO call again" we left him
to further study the application for
/ passport. and to dream about and
plan for his coming European trip.