Evening star., 1933-08-06


LING JETHEROws navy insures his diplo-
~ matte sovereignty and to date has success
fully repulsed invaders who have sought to
contest his right to his kingdom and to assume
squatter's rights on his territory.
He founded his dynasty in 1916 after CIV
ing up the duties of humane officer in Des
Moines. At the time he was armed with no
other governmental paraphernaha than . rake,
and so cents.
Look at me now" he says. This Is my
island and people call me king"
Rumor has it that Jetherow Johnson under
an Illusion Of grandeur, once rigged himself up
throne and actually sat upon 1t as he dis
pensed the wisdom Of his years to the people
of his kingdom.
The throne, according to reports, was q
large gasoline can upholstered with three bur-
lap sacks tucked together with strips Of royal
purple ribbon. 1t is said still to repose on the
island to which it gave its name
The throne room, however, IS jealousy
guarded and Jetherow holds his audiences with
visitors in the open. The fact forestalls sub
sanitation of the rumor
The first day on his island Jetherow dis
carded his surname of Johnson and assumed
the imposing title of King Jetherow the First
For several years he remained unmolested
He and his wife were the Islands only inhab-
itants. Fishermen who approached the shores
were ordered away. Adventurous youths were
put to rout He planted crops and reaped his
harvestS Peace and plenty smiled on the
land.
II ruled by authority of the Des Moines City
Council and the Federal Government" he says
Skeptical persons are frowned down, in a
truly royal manner. For all of his age and
akimbo Jetherow the First can, and
does malara1ah
he wants to.
"A grant to my sland?" King Jetherow asks
in amazement. But even if didn't have one
it wouldn't make any difference. In London
they'd throw you in Jail if you asked King
George to show you his deed to England.
What's the world coming to-"
For the first time in his reign he feels un-
easy.
HITS my people," he says. "They want
progress and freedom, and they don't work
enough any more. When I first came here
there was only my wife. Now there are my
wives relatives"
King Jetherow's surprising verbal jump from
the singular to the plural in the matter Of
his wives is Intentional His present wife is
his fourth And each wife has bequeathed him
a generous quota of relatives even to cousins
of the third degree. But only few have
been given the right to remain for any length
of time on the Island of Can.
"These relatives were not so bad till the
depression came on" he explains. But as
soon as their money or their positions gave
out they descended on me like a plague of
locuStS. They are not only eating nae out OF
house and home, they want to change every
thing on the island, too"
His favored subjects are his son-in-law and
daughter, Mr. and Mrs H. E. Kuhn; a grand
CHILD, Harry Kuhn, 10, and great -grandchtld,
Jackie Leonard 6.
Eyes, I was all right till my relatives started
moving in on me-" continues the king ~They
want new deal and now can't even balance
my budget"
Asked if the depression had hit the Island
Of Can, King Jetherow says:
IT'S all the same to me. plant my crops
and they grow, and up till now I've always
balanced my budget I have never had any