LATE EX-PRESIDENT STEYN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 6

LATE EX-PRESIDENT STEYN

A LEADING FIGURE'IN THE SOUTH ' ; AFBICAN WAR. . Ex-President, Steyn, who died euddonly at Bloemfontein recently while addressing a women's congress, at one time loomed large in the public eye. JIo was' born at Winburg, in the then Orange Free State, on October 2, 1857. His father was a farmer and wagon maker, and a member of the Volksraad, and his mother was a member of tho Wossels family, which has left its mark on South African history. Hβ was educated at tho Grey College, in Bloeinfonteiu, and then for a time worked on his' father's farm. ■ At that time he was an ardent football ■ player and a crack ehot. ...-.' ■ At the age of nineteen ho ciinie to • England, ami was called ■to tho Bar • - at the Middle Temple in ISS2. ' Soon ' afterwards ho returned to Bloemfontein ■ and became one of the most successful I barristers in the country. His elevation to the Bench as Puisne Judge took place six years later, and six years after that I (lSOfi) he was elected President- His opponent in the contest was a Mr. Eraser, and Eraser was also tho maiden name " of his wife, but tho two were not re- '' latcd. ' '-,',. '■ One of tlio most notable, events of his : Presidency was the conference between > himself Lord Milner, and President > lCruger, which was an important step to i the events that led to the Boer War. On . the occupation of Bloemfontein,by Lord Roberts he escaped, and for a timo carried on a kind of Government and. led \ the remnant of the Republic's forces with skill and courage. He had some, nar- . : row escapes from capture, once escaping ' in his shirt. After peace was signed no " camo to Europe for his health, which hart ; suffered seriously during the war. Jio then took the oath of allegiance ana rer turned to South Africa, and again.took I .in active part in public bie. In 1908 h< ■ was Vice-President of the Closer Timor ; Convention. He was a man of splendid. phvsique, a brilliant conversationalist, J and a keen sportsman. His eloquence : was remarkable and his charm of manner i made him popular even with his foe?. 1 while his character always commanded —.. ■" their respect.