May, 1920 “Awe ia 95 
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 
By HENRY WETHERBEE HENSHAW 
(Concluded from page 60) 
VISIT THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS 
N DECEMBER, 1894, still in search of the priceless boon of health, | sailed 
| for the Hawaiian Islands on the iron barkentine, ‘‘Annie Johnson’’, and 
after a delightful voyage of 18 days landed at Hilo, Island of Hawau, 
which was to be my abiding place for several years. I thus was present during 
the exciting days of the insurrection which occurred in January, 1895. This 
was quickly suppressed, being practically confined to Honolulu. 
After a residence of several years in the Islands, it occurred to me that, © 
as | enjoyed the protection of the island laws and was accorded all the privi- 
leges of a citizen, I ought to assume the duties that pertain to citizenship. Ac- 
cordingly I took the necessary steps to become a citizen of the island Republic, 
and assumed the not too arduous duties of paying taxes, serving on juries, and 
the like. The Republic, however, proved short-lived, for the islands were for- 
mally annexed to the United States as a territory July 7, 1898, when automati- 
cally I again became a citizen of the United States. 
TAKE UP PHOTOGRAPHY 
My strength returning slowly, I devoted much time during the first part 
of my stay in Hawaii to photography, which was a pursuit entirely new to me, 
as I had taken it up only a few months before, chiefly for the purpose of secur- 
ing good photographs of the California Indians. The palms and strange forms 
oft vegetation, the waterfalls, the picturesque coast, and the fleecy clouds of 
these sub-tropical islands all conspire to arouse the photographer’s enthusiasm. 
Just before leaving California I had learned to use platinotype paper, which 
is unexcelled for permanency and for artistic effects, and I was the first, I be- 
lieve, to introduce the use of the paper into the islands. 
Continuing my photographic work, one day I awoke to find myself famous 
as a photographer, and was induced by my friends to place the results of my 
handiwork of the camera on sale both in Honolulu and Hilo, the result being 
the sale of some thousands of prints, which are now scattered all over the 
world. I look upon my adventure in photography with great pleasure, and 
regard the results as a partial but grateful return for the delightful years spent 
in this island garden spot, of the many friends it was my privilege to make, 
and their innumerable acts of kindness and hospitality. Here, where no man 
is treated as a stranger, but always as a welcome guest, is found the kindliest 
climate in the world, beautiful scenery on all sides, and a contentment with life 
unknown in less favored regions. 
I may add that while these lines are being written my Hawaiian negatives 
to the number of over 300 have been purchased by George Shiras 3rd, and by 
him donated to the National Geographic Society, by which they will be utilized, 
as I hope, for many years to come; for illustrative purposes. 
BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH BROTHER M. NEWELL 
Soon after reaching Hilo I made the acquaintance of Brother Matthias (M. 
Newell), who was a member of the Catholic Brotherhood and had long lived 
