Faustin E. Wirkus
Encyclopedia
Faustin E. Wirkus was a U.S. Marine stationed in Haiti
during the U.S. Occupation (1915-1934). After rescuing a young woman in trouble he found out that she was Queen Timemenne of La Gonave.
Promoted to a lieutenant in the Haitian Garde he was officer commanding a squad of native troops on La Gonave
, he was welcomed by the population as Timemenne had told them how kind he was to her. Somewhat bizarrely the natives proclaimed him Faustin II and he ruled jointly with Queen Timemenne for eight years. He became known for dispensing ready but gentle justice.
William Seabrook published Wirkus' account of the occupation in his travel narrative, The Magic Island.
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
during the U.S. Occupation (1915-1934). After rescuing a young woman in trouble he found out that she was Queen Timemenne of La Gonave.
Promoted to a lieutenant in the Haitian Garde he was officer commanding a squad of native troops on La Gonave
Gonâve Island
Gonâve Island is an island of Haiti located to the west-northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonâve. It is the largest of the Hispaniolan satellite islands, situated off the mainland...
, he was welcomed by the population as Timemenne had told them how kind he was to her. Somewhat bizarrely the natives proclaimed him Faustin II and he ruled jointly with Queen Timemenne for eight years. He became known for dispensing ready but gentle justice.
William Seabrook published Wirkus' account of the occupation in his travel narrative, The Magic Island.