The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-06-12 00:00:00

THE MASSACRES IN ABYSSINIA.

Mr. Thomas Powell, of Coldra-hall, Monmouthshire, •
magistrate and wealthy colliery proprietor, who went on a
ehootltig excursion to Abyssinia some mont•-■ ARO, has been
murdered by the natives, together with his wife and child.
His servant and two missionaries are also said to have hcen
murdered.
Mr. Powell left Newport in the latter part of January or
the beginning of February to go to Abyssinia on a shooting
excursion, taking with him his wife and our of his children,
a keeper, a native of Scotland, and a female domestic servant
Soon oiler leaving England the maid servant fell ill, and it
is said was left at Marseilles to return home as soon as she
recovered. Mr Powell and his party proceeded on their
excursion, and while at Suer the keeper was taken 111, and
he also bad to be left behind. Other servants, among whom
was a Swiss, were engaged, and the party reached Abyssinia.
Mr. Powell was anxious to proceed to a part of the country
known to be extremely dangerous for an Englishman to enter,
and although told of this tact, his &termination was made,
and the onward Journey was pursued, the result of which
has been the murder of all_ On the morning of the 17th of
it appears the Swiss went up the country, and while
away a number of savages fell upon lie. Powell arid his party
who were unarmed, and murdered and mutilated them in
the most horrible mariner ; a similar fate awaited the Swiss
on his return. Beyond the brief telegram containh.g them
i particulars no further details are known.

Messrs. Young, Maple, Teesdale and Nelson' Fred-
erick's-place, Old Jewry, London, have sent the follow-
ing letter for publicatiiin, which they say is the only
authentic account of the alleged massacre which has
yet reached England.
" 5.10 p.m., Saturday, June 5.
From Suez, to H. Bayley, Peninsular and oriental Com-
pany, London, uia Malta.
Eztract of letter from Meazett, Abyssinia, to -,
Suez
" Kerim Begins, Abyssinia, May 3.
"1 take the pen, heartsore in consequence of very sad news
which have reached us in the last three days, and which have
thrown us and the villace of Kerim into consternation
" I beg you will inform M. Macerer that his brother has
been killed, as well as Mr. Powell, his wife, his son, Ilk ser-
vant, a Swedish missionary just arrived from Europe, and
three AllyBßillitLllß. whom Mr. Powell had taken with him ha
pa sing through Kerim, to pursue his elephant hunt. There
, only remain seven or eight Abyssinian servants who have been
spared, two of whom have reached Kerlin wounded, bringing
us this painful intelligence.
" It appears from the version given by these men. that
Macerer had had a dispute with some people of the Bazaine
trine about tour days from this place); that they took ad-
vantage of his going to reconnoitre a place where water was
und, in company with Mr. Powell's servants arid the
Swedish missionary, to effect their murder, without their
being able to defend themselves. Being fearful afterwards
that Sir. Powell would punish them, they came and slaugh-
tered himself, his wife, his son, and three Abyssini.llis in
his tent. They then pillaged all that they could find. having
spared some AM sainiaL servants ; they sold two Mules and
One ides.
" We await from day to day the servants, who are still at
Konnamat, for more precise details At this moment, M. •
Munzinger, the Consul at Massowah, has no knowledge of
this affair: lie will hear of it in three days' time, but he will
not be astonished, for, from his acquaintance with the
country, he had dissuaded Mr. Powell from hunting there.
The 13azaine tribe lain rebellion. The Egyptiana are ravagiog
It now to bring it into subjection, as these peon is neither
wish to belong to A byliSildS. nor to Egypt: on this account
Europeans incur great danger. We think that NI. Muuzinger,
having advice of this event in his capacity of Consul. will be
obliged to repair to the spot with a good escort. I shall not
be behind in followiag him, for it is our interest as European
to avenge severely these unfortunate victims, or there would
be all end of all security In Abyssinia.
" macerer was wrong lii persuading Mr. Powell to the
elephant hunt in this country, as he had been advised to go
to Ailette, a day's journey from Nlassowah, a quiet country,
where there are at this moment numbers of elephants, lions,
rhinoceros, We ; only the elephants have small tusks, while
in the Barainie country they have enormous.
"A. MEAZY.77."
Copy of a letter from Munzinger, Siassowah, to Maurer,
Suez
Masiowah, May 7.
- - • - -••

"I have the sad duty of giving you mournful intelligence.
Your poor brother was fpme with Mr. Powell to &lamb ele-
phant hunting, but eester,lvy I received a letter from the
Swedish missionaries there, giving me the sad news that your
brother, together with Mr. Powell, Madame, their an, their
servant, two rui-sionaries, and three domestics, have been
killed. on the 17th and llfth of April, by the Kirnania of the
district Palk. I have oot yet details ; so soon as I receive
them I will Masten to inform you. I could scarcely believe
this terrible news, and lane greatly pained to send it.
"Receive my sincere condolence. " MUNZINGER."