Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-03-03

Warrant Officer Faustin Wirkus as
he looks today.
teriously, into a dwelling especially
reserved for him. It was late after
noon and the queens emissaries
informed him that his presence
would not be wanted before Queen
Ii Memenne until late that night.
Already drums were slowly beating
in the village center. Still wondering
what it was all about, he calmly un-
dressed and went to sleep.
Khak-Clad Monarch.
Later the marine sergeant,
dressed in his usual khaki and put
tees, entered the queens house,
stepping into tiny room. Squat
ting in close array on the floor were
members of the inner court. Ii
Memenne, barefoot and dressed in
a gaily colored robe, sat at the front
in regal fashion, her black face
shadowy in the suffering, vague
rays of candles. Queen I'll Memenne
must have been in her forties or
more, and, while friendly woman,
she had a way of commanding and
getting respect.
The marine found out why he had
been summoned before the queen.
He was to be crowned "King Faus-
tin H."
cat first I thought it was just a
way they had of telling me they
liked me, but later it developed that
I'll Memenne and her people were
in earnest about the matter. They
had discussed the thing for days,
and had agreed to name me as their
white king"
The ceremony, weird in many
ways, lasted nearly three hours. Out
side the drums rolled and pounded,
all but drowning out the bleating of
young goat scared to the tip of
his tail, which was brought into the
royal chamber and offered up as
blood sacrifice.
Wirkus was seated on a small,
short-legged chair, and at the
queens command, an attendant
came from the next room bearing a
heavy, ornate crown.
Il now crown you King Faustin
II, " proclaimed Queen I'll Mem
enne, and she placed the CROWN
the same crown, so it was said,
that once had adorned the head of
King Faustin lon Wirkus!
1.-TWO huge blacks then picked me
up and carried me outside. AS soon
as I appeared the drums beat out
the kings salute-four ruffles and
three taps. l knew that this was
no empty honor they were paying
me-"
White King of La Gonave.'
Thus was crowned 1.-THE White
King of La Gonave," title that
was to bring Wirkus, the marine,
fame in many countries. William B.
Seabrook made him the featured ro-
mantle character of his book, Mag
ic 1sle," and later Mr.. Wirkus him
self wrote book which he called
1.-THE White King of La Gonave."
With the fame, however, also
came envy and jealousy from GER
tain quarters. Haiti's president
few years later, Louis Borno, hardly
relished the popularity of La Con-
ayes subdistrict commander, or the
thought that king" official or un-
official, was in charge of one of his
provinces. So eventually Wirkus
was transferred to another West In
dies station.
Before that happened, though, the
adventure loving leatherneck
proved himself a good and kindly
administrator. The natives greeted
him with Bon soir, Roi," or Good
evening, King" and he was forever
amused at the intense interest the
natives took in his everyday affairs.
Often they stood around his home,
just to watch him dress.
AS king" of course, he had no
more authority than he had before.
In the eyes of his marine associates
in the Gendarmerie, he was still
merely SubdiStrict commander He
received no pay for his kingly title,
and his stay on the island was as
routine as before. To him, it was
just high compliment.
In 1925 Wirkus was transferred to
another station in the West Indies.
1t was a sad occasion when 1.-THE
White King of La Gonave" babe his
people goodby. The natives lined
the shores and cheered as Queen I'll
Memenne gravely prophesied:
Some day you will come back
and rule the island of La Gonave."
e Machine Gun,