The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-10-01 00:00:00

AN AFRICAN EXPLORER.

The Times has published tik following letter :
Sir,—Will you allow me a small space in your
columns to pay my last tribute to one of the pioneers
of civilisation in Central Africa, whose life has, to the
deep regret of his friends, very unexpectedly termi-
nated? All those who come to these regions incur
numerous dangers, expose themselves to many and
great perils, and, when their motives are pure and dis-
interested, sacrifice their life to the welfare of
humanity; and, when they can no more be rewarded
in this life, it is but right that their names should be
made known to the philanthropic world.

On the 15th of April, 1879, the steamship Chindwara
was to sail from the Victoria Docks, and on board,
besidei myself and Dr. SOnthon (now of Urambo) and
a few other passengers, there were two other gentle-
men belonging to the "Association Internationale
Africaine " bound for Zanzibar. These two gentle-
men were Dr. Vandentbeuvel, now stationed at
TJnyanyembe, and Captain Popelin. I little thought
then I should be called upon to officiate
at the funeral of the latter. The time of the
voyage was very pleasantly and very profitably spent,
and the four Africaters were constantly found to
be associated together. Nor was this companion-
ship broken when we were transferred on board
the Chinsuralz at Aden, and mixed with other pas-
sengers and with another African adventurer, the
late Captain Carter, killed at Mpinelawe. At Zanzibar
all Parties were busy in their preparations and in haste
to commence their journeys. Captain Popelin arrived
with his caravan at Keremma in December, 1879,
leaving his colleague at the Arab depot previously
mentioned. He was to proceed to Nyangwe, but in
order to strengthen the position at Karemma he was
induced to stay there and in the following June he
went to Unyanyembe to meet the caravan of Mr.
Roger. He and Mr. Roger were on the road when
the death of Captain Carter and Mr. Cadenhead
occurred, and were within a few days of the scene of
fighting. After his arrival at Karernma lie again re-
tuned, to meet the caravan of Captain Rainmakers,
as far as Western Ugogo, and they arrived at
Karemma, again in December last.
About two months ago, Captain Popelin and Mr.
Roger left Ka.renima on a voyage to Ujiji, and after
suffering shipwreck near Kabogo arrived safely at
their destination. On their return they called at
Mtowa to pay us a visit. After staying four days
they left with the intention of visiting the district of
Mampara, in southern Uguha, and choosing a place
fur a station there. Leaving Mtowa on the 7th inst.,
on the fourth day from this they arrived, after hav-
ing spent some time in looking about, near the Cape
Tembwe. From this place they could not proceed
as they wanted, on account of the very strong con-
trary winds. Attempts were then made to cross
over to the eastern side, but the same winds made
their efforts futile. On the 17th Captain Popelin
suffered badly frcm fever, and his illness continued
unabated until the 24th inst., when the flame of life
went out, and his sufferings ended. Medicines
were tried, but proved of no effect on account of the
vomiting and bilious discharge, which proved very ob-
stinate. On the 21st five men were despatched for my
colleague, Dr. Palmer, but he was unable to arrive in
time. On the evening of the 24th Mr. Roger returned
with the body to Mtowa, as it was the nearest resi-
dence of white men. The intelligence startled me.
The one whose life we had least feared for had become
a victim to the insidious malaria of the country. We
chose as the burial place the Cape Rimemo, about 500
yards from our station, rocky, elevated, and prominent.
It is a secluded and undisturbed resting-place for the
remains of the dead. Here, in a shady spot, and
within the sound of the unceasing waves of the Tan-
ganyika, we laid our friend. The place henceforth
will be regarded by the Wajuha with a mixed feeling
of dread and reverence, and the spirit of our departed
brother will look down with approval and rejoicing as
he sees these people advancing in civilization and
becoming adherents of that Divine religion which is
able to raise them from their, ignorance and degrade.
ton.—l remain, sir, truly yowl.
WILLIAII GRIFFITH, London Missionary Society.
guha, Central Africa, May 30,1831.