THE REAL DE WET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE REAL DE WET.

■&■ PARIICULARS OF HIS LIFE AS REVISE! BY HIMSELF. Practically ntthing is known of the career of Genera Christian De Wet prior to his taking 'lie field during the recent •South African pa-mpaign, In the Uloeuifontein Post, hnvever, appears a full story of his life, wish has been revised and corrected by his own hand. It seems that this clever soliier was borr on October 7, 1854, on lu's father's farm in Smithßeld, a fruitful district in the south of the Orange River Colfiiy. lie was the fifth child of a family of eleven, or whom nine were boys and two girls. Both his father and mother were color.ial born, and also bis grandfather and grandmother. His mother, a quiet, sensible parson, devoted herself assiduously to attending to the* wants of her largt family. DETERMINED AND SELF-WILLED. At the ?ge of five of .six years Christian began to show signs of that disposition for business vhick was to distinguish him in after life. He cared little for the amusements of childhood, preferring to accompany his lather when he drove to neighbouring farms on matters of business. At the family grew up his father and mother, anxious that their children should receive some education, engaged a teacher to live with them on the farm. Christian in this way received some elementary education,, but he was by no means an apt pupil. Even at this early age, determined and self-willed, he seemed to make up his mind that learning could be of little use to him in after life. He was naturally clever, however, and could learn quickly when he felt *» inclined. As he grew older he took a great delight in riding, and soon became a first-rate horseman. Foi sport be cared little, in tht ordinary sense of the term; hut when venison was need to replenish the family larder Christian could always be depended upon to bring home a fine buck. By accompanying his father to different sales is the neighbourhood Christian had become a very good judge of the value of live stock; and his father often took his son's advice in making purchases. In later years Christian was fond of telling of his excursions as far north as Bloemfontein, which was then only a small village. In 1873 he married a Miss Kruger, who lived on a neighbouring farm, and whom he had known since she was eight years old. For a lime they lived at the De Wet homestead ; but Christian, hearing so much of the wonders of Johannesburg, proceeded to the Rand. Here his natural shrewdness and knowledge of stock stood him in suck good stead that he .soon acquired a considerable amount of money and property. Christian and bis younger brother Pie* were present at the battle of Majuba, Christian himself being a leader of a small commando of Boers with the rank of field-cornet. Shortly afterwards he was elected a member of Oh'e Volksraad, 'and during the brief period he held office used his influence towards obtaining a more liberal representation for the Uitlanders. On his return to the Orange Free State he was elected * member of the Raad for the district of Upper Modder River. As a speaker he possessed much natural force and clearness, and became very eloquent when any subject was being discussed on which he really felt deeply. It is characteristic of the man that -whenever he made up his mind on any question of policy he never subsequently altered it. Before the outbreak of war De Wet was living on his farm at Rhenoslei River, with a large family of eight sous and three daughters. Bearing in mind the inefficiency of his own early education he took care that Ins children should not suffer in this respect. In the early days of the war he fought, at Nicholson's Nek and before Ladysmith. Later he was sent to harry Lord Roberts' forces in their attacks on Oronje, and his daring and ability on this occasion led to his promotion to be llooici Commandant. From that time his career is too well known to need repetition. De Wet may be called a One type of 3 self-made man. He has always been very shrewd and clear-headed, and few can say that they have had the better of hun in ■» bargain. He is also a. man of his wort, and noted for being punctual at any appointment. Although hasty in temper W is good-natured, and always regrets having spoken hastily or hurt anybody's feelings. . One thing "De Wet takes particular objection to is bring described as a guerm* leader. He has" written letters to tie South African press protesting agonist such a nomenclature, and adding "No one £« a right to suppose that the British Movement, now also our Government, would «*£•. , entered into negotiations with, guerilla m* ,ers s -