The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-11
LETTER TO MRS. BARKER.

VILLAGE or KAGEBuI DISTRICT or UcHANBI
UsUKMA, Central Africa, May Is, 1875
Mrs. CHARLOTTE BARKER:--
DEAR Mrs. BARKER-I grieve TO have to write to you
such sad topic this letter must contain Iwould
that some one else had undertaken the task or that
Francis Pocock your sons companion had fulfilled be-
fore his departure from here what had expressly
dered him TO do
But that wish to you from too sudden blow n
would have delayed writing until Pocock had writtcn
his report TO me Of the manner how when Of your
poor last hours for you must know that your SON.
Frederick Barker, is gone to his eternal rest
absent exploring expedition OF Lake
Victoria, having left Francis Pocock and Frederick
Barker in charge of my camp Altogether was alb
sent ffty-eght days. When returned, hoping that
would nnd that all had gone well l was struck with
tho grievous that your had died twelve days
before Of an intermittent fever
RARKER DIED.
What little / have been able 10 learn Of your soma
death amounts TO ths:-On April - he went out
to the lake with Pocock to shoot hppopotami and
all day enjoyed himself On tho morning OF tho sd
he went out FOR little walk, had his tea and
pancakes, washed himself, and then suddenly said hs
felt i'll and lay down in bed He called for hot stone
to DO applied to his feet brandy given him. blankets
were heaped him; but he felt such cold In his exs
tremties that nothing awaited to restore the heat in
his body. His blood seems to have become concealed
Az eight A. NJ, hour after he lay down, he was
dead Such is what have been able TO CLEAN from
Pocock OF the manner OF his DEATH but by our next
ctter-carrer Pocock shall sendyou complete account
His clothes and effects shall DO sold at auction ths
camp and whatever they produce, with such money as
may be due TO him for wages shall be rendered YOU
His papers photos and Testament shall keep until
have an opportunity to send them TO you.
BARRIERS GOOD QUALITIES
Dear Mrs Barker, you may believe me as you may,
but in Fred Barker have lost Of as much value ia
me as be was dear TO you He such clover quick
intelligent that had no lived TO reach home and
/ had lived to see him there, his future need never
have been source Of anxiety TO him Indeed there IL
no doubt he before long would have ranked high in h(
estimation Of worthy men, and become a most useful
member Of intelligent society. Genticmanliness.
honesty and politoness were his special character.
istcs had such confidence in him that had placed
him in charge Of all my stores and during my absence
on the lake, appointed him half share in the command
Of 100 soldiers.
From the coast to this lake. distance OF 100 miles
he trudgcd 1t afoot like hero When sick Of course
he rode one of our animals. Whatever | told him DO
came 50 impressed on his memory that / need mover
repeat the order or complain OF It's neglect whatever
advised him to DO became with him a law what
ever suggested to him Immediately oboyed, az
though Il were a command. He rare young man,
mcttesomo, manly, and thoroughly English in hid
good qualities II Is then to DO grieved that you havd
lost such hopeful son. such true servant and hs
country such promising character sympathiza
with you decpy-not alone We all OF us In this camps
for we have lost one such that bis place cannot b6
filed
Gods comfort DO with you in this distress and believe
me- yours faithfully, 1000
Commanding The Alsl0 American ExDsdittOn