Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1899 — THE MAN of The HOUR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE MAN of The HOUR

Paul Kruger, President of the South African Republic, is the man of the hour. Oom Paul, as everybody calls him, is a unique figure in history. Bismarck called him the greatest natural diplomat he had ever met. Although a dictator he lives in democratic simplicity in bis own house in Pretoria. He rises at break of day, and after his cup of coffee and daily Bibla reading, steps out upon the porch to greet his regular morning audience, which begins to accumulate before sun up. Ha goes to the Government buildings at 9, attended by a bodyguard of six armed policemen. Returning at 4, he sits on tho veraada, smoking his old wooden pips. His only beverage is coffee, and of this he drinks a great deal. “When I an thirsty I drink coffee and smoke; when I am thinking I smoke and drink coffee," he says. His religious creed is austere^

but simple. Whatever God sends Is right and must be endured without a murmur. Many stories are told of his physical strength. In young manhood he saved his sister’s life by strangling a panther, and held a mad buffalo’s head under water until the animal drowned. He twice amputated his own finger after having met with an accident.

KRUGER IN FULL REGALIA.