The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-02-09

$3.50 -
fPr.par.d by the National Geographic So
ciety, Washington, ID, Z
Twenty miles to the southwest OF
the town OF Cape Haitien, In the north
OF the island OF Haiti there stands. on
the top Of a precipitous mountain
Bonnet a l'Evegue-one of the won
ders of the western hemisphere, yet
one whose existence Is as present
scarcely known and one whose full
history will never be written. A per-
sonal visit to Christophe's citadel Is
necessary in order fully to appreciate
Its masslveness, Its intricate and elab-
crate construction, and its remote sit
uatlon. Few are so fortunate as to
be able to visit this spot, or. even
when given the opportunity, possess
the physique necessary to make the
arduOus trip.
Prior to the first general uprising OF
the slaves against their French mas
tiers, Christophe worked as waiter
In Cap Franchise (now Cape Haitien),
and Il was In this humble capacity
that he is supposed to have picked up
his smattering of English and formed
the acquaintance of English naval Of
ficers.
Tall and OF splendid physique,
with exceptionally bright and pierre
ing eyes. and with reckless bravery
and terrible feroclty. combined with
no little duplicity and cunning. he
speedily achieved a conspicuous place
as one Of the trusted lleutenants Of
Toussalnt L'Ouverture, that remark
able negro strateglst who rose from
slavery to position OF commanding
Importance In Haiti and who success
fully led the slaves in their revolt
against the French prior to the in
dependence OF the island republic.
Through treachery LOuverture was
captured and carried away to Fort tie
Joux. In France, where he died in
prison In 1903. His immediate sue
cessOr was the both famous and no.
torlous Dessallnes who created him
self emperor. When Dessallnes was
assasslnated, in 1909, Chrlstophe was
elected president and soon proclaimed
himself king.
When he was only general under
Dessalines, Christophe had begun work
on his marvellous mountaln-top citadel.
II is not known just what length OF
time was required to build the citadel.
but 1t Is evident 1t was finished some
little time prior to ChrIstophe's death,
In 1870. Its construction Is yarlousy
estimated to have taken toll rang
Ing from ten to twenty thousand hui
man lives.
Murdered Its French Designers.
II Is believed that the plan for the
structure were drawn aud the work
OF construction supervised by two cap
tive French officers, who possessed
the highest order OF technical train.
Ing. When their work was completed
Chrlstophe, In company with these OF.
hcsrs' Is said to have made thor.
ough inspection OF all parts OF the
structure, and then. upon arriving M
one OF the highest points Of the edifIce
ordered both men seized and hurled ~
thelr death on the rocks below. Tins
forever safeguarding the secrets of
the place. There is legend that the
tyrant once had an entire comnanv nj
mutinous soldiers driven off this same
spot; Il was his favorlte method ot
dispatching those who incurred the
royal III Will.
me mere location OF this citadel Is
such that one wonders how natu,e
provided such site, and thorough
Inspection causes unbounded admire.
ton for the master mind thar recoc
nized the possibilities aside from con
eeiNlhg ana constructing the edlace
now standing there; for Ronnet q
LtNeqne could not have been NOR,
Ideally located for It's purpose ~ n
nau oeen made to order. Occupyln,
the entire top Of the mountain IN,
citedei commands every nelghbor,n,
peak aud approach, While a sprlno ha
meath and inside Of the building frr
nlshes an abundant supply of watar
that prime necessity in withstandln,
long siege.
] Ihe building has the prov forma
tion pointing toward the mornatI,
north, the entire eastern face helm,
In tbis line, on the eastward aldo
which is the longest. is located m,
main battery OF heavy guns. nm,
Strategically this should be 80 FOR MI
gives absolute command Of the mos
dangerous approach. that from the a