The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-19
CHINA.


The Murder of Rev. Mr. Williamson.
The following is from the courier, of Tentsn,
CHINA. IL is the most authentic account Of the cir
cunlstances connected with the murder, near
Tlentsln Ct the Rev. John Williamson, late OF the
London Missionary Society, AMI which has been
already noticed in the HERALB:--
The deceased, In company with the Rev. Mr.
Hodge, was proceeding BY boat up the Grand CANA
to visit some inland stations, and on the night OF
Wednesday, August "a or tte morning OF the 2Gtn
wnie their boat was at anchor OF the west bank Of
the canal, opposite to the OF Cheng- kuan- tuI
about thirty miles IRON Tientsin it was boarded
and pllnuered py number oil armed Chinese rO5-
befs.
AIR. Hodge deposed before her Majesty's Consul
at llentsm on the eth fnat he and MIR. Williamson
retired at hall-past nine on the 25th IN the large
central compartment OF their boats tnat about one
O'Clock next morning he was awakened by the vio-
lent rocking OF the boat aud by the voices OF mum
Der OF men outside. lie sprang out oil bed, and was
surprised that he could see nothing OF Mr.. William
son. ue looked out ana four or five Chinese
armed win swords az The bow OF the boat, which
was hauled on 20 tue bank. Failing to open his
revolver case ne jumped on deck with the inten-
ton Of throwing the case INTO the water. AS
US ne appeared cry OF "Maotze, mao-tze," an
upprobrlous ephet commonly applied to foreigners
IN the north OF China was raised supplemented
with Ia, tai strike strlEe). lie threw down the
revolver case aud called out LET me 20 ashore:D
ana wnle endeavoring TO get away he was struck
oil the mead and shoulders by the robbers with the
iats o. their swords. lie succeeded Jumping
ashore, and when there was again STRUCK IN a SIM
liar manner by others OF the robbers wac were on
tie bank lie escaped from them, and was not pur-
5utt rs uH 10 Viiiage lOr assS
| lance. Arrived at the village he reused the
! inhapitants. One Of them beng told that
| the ROBBERS numbered about twenty recognized
/ them as being known IN the neighborhood TO be
very dangerous. This vilager lent him oothes
! and on their way to the town OF Cheng kuan tun
| they met local mandarin VINO was on has way VITA
soidters TO the ooat MI. Hodge joined tnem puL on
feachipg the boat they founa nad been deserted
by the robbers after they had plaged 1t. None Of
/ the Chinese on board were injured, but Mr. William
/ son was nowhere to be found, aud none OF them
| knew what had become OF nm. one VI the boat
men, however VINO had slept on the foredeek after
wards Informed Mr.. Hodge that when he was ,ield
down by the robbers he saw MIR. Williamson on the
| forepart OF the vessel, but could not say
| whether he Jumped ashore or Tell INTO the
| water. This man, when subsequently examined
/ by her MaJesty's Consul, denied ali know ledge Of
shaving seen or heard anything about Nj. Wiiiiam-
son, but stated that at TIE time the robbers We're
/ holding him down he heard shot fired, followed
by something falling into the water. The other
| men declared that at the beginning or the attack
they heard two shots fired, but heard nothing IAN
into tue water. MIR. Hodge himself heard no shots
| at all. Mr.. Wiihamson's body was found on the
! 18th boating ia the canal and was buried on tue
| 18th.
Active measures are being taken By the Chinese
| authorities 10 trace the murderefs.
The deceased was brother OF the Rev. A. wS!,-
! son OF Chefoo His vile went home In May last