Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 189, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1913 — Ugliest Man the Most Married. [ARTICLE]

Ugliest Man the Most Married.

Lupungu, chief of the Basongi, one of the wealthiest chiefs in 4he Congo, is a much-married man, for he is the proud possessor of 300 wives, for each of whom he pays a yearly tribute of two francs to the state. This, however, is not hid sole claim to distinction. for he has also been dubbed by the officials of the province “the ugliest man on earth.” “With some reason,” says Vice-Consul Casteus, who describes him as a villainous-looking native possessing but one eye, and a countenance horribly scarred by smallpox. As a young child, Lupungu was deserted by his father, and afterwards adopted by a sub-chief. In later years, ne persuaded the gullible natives that his one eye gave him certain occult powers; he then made friends with a band of Arab traders, and with their assistance made war upon his father whom he conquered and succeeded as chief of the Basongi.