The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-02-24
A FIGHT WITH THE PAPUANs.
Murder of Two America ms in New
Guinea-.Particulars of DIR. James
Death.

Murder of Two Anne ricans In New
Guinea-.Particulars of Dr. James
Death.
A full sccount'o the murder of DR..
James and Mr.. Thorngren by the natives
of New Guinea, near Yule Island, ia
given in letter from Captain Runcie to
to the Rev. J. P. sutherland, agent of
the London Missionary Society The
writer says:
We arrived at Yule Island on the 10Th
OF September. The teacher located
there came off to US in o canoe, with
Smith, native OF New Caledonia, form
erly servant of DR.. James. They said:
"We have been in great danger for the
last twenty-four days. A powerful tribe
on the main land have been making
preparations to come over and kill us all.
The chief with whom we live have been
very kind to US. He told us tha. his
tribe would fight for US TO the last"
We found this chief very friendly and
very sorry about the death Of DR.. James,
and also about our instructions of hav-
ing to take away the teacher and his
family if in danger.
The murder was committed about
three miles from DR.. James house, at
the northwest part of the mainland,
forming the entrance to Hall sound, near
u salt water creek, where the party had
been shooting on the previous day, and
trading with the natives for paradise
birds' plums. Shortly after daylight the
crew OF the Mayri observed two canoes
approaching, and at once called the at
tention of Dr. James aud Mr.Tborngrsn,
observing that they thought they were
coming to fight, as they saw a number
OF spears in the bottom of the canoes,
and proposed getting the guns from the
cabin. but Mr.. Thorngren objected, say
ing there was no cause for fear. One OF
the canoes came alongside with ten men,
under the pretsnss OF selling some yams,
and seeing no arms about, thought it a
five chance to accomplish their purpose.
While DR.. James WAS STOPPING to get
some beads for the yams, the chief struck
him on the head with large piece of
wood. and knocked him down; he i'm
medIately recovered. however and went
aft to the main rigging, where he leaned
for support. The blood was then how-
ing from the wound. Becoming con-
scious. be at once drew his revolver and
shot the chief through the neck, who fell
dead in the canoe. Another Of the party,
seeing their chief killed, threw a spear
atD DR.. James. which passed through his
neck, causing instant death. He fell on
the mainsail. where the blood stains are
still to be seen. 1t was the work of 9
very short time. as they attacked both
white men at once. One of them aimed
at = ota lin
near the side of the boat, but missed
while another took hold of his hand and
pushed him into the canoe, where hs
commenced to wrestle with them, wher
one of them speared him through the
right side. He fell overheard and sanl
at oncs.
While this was going on the savsg,
crew were fighting with pieces of fire
wood or whatever came to hand. Tive
OF them were speared and one of them
wounded, with club, in the leg ant
Knocked overheard, but having recovered
sufficiently to come on board, he wen
down to the cabin for the guns, aud the,
commemorate fre on the natives, who 81
dlved and made for the shore. Will
this was going on their attention wa
called to the second canoe, which, unit
now, had kept at some distance, but wa
now busy breaking the whale boa
astern. The crew began to fire on them
also, but they disappeared under water
leaving their canoe to drift away. whic
led the Grew to suppose that they ba
shot number Of them, as they reporte
here.
The crew then dived to look for th
body of Mr.. Thorngren. but the waite
being 30 muddy they could not find i
and fearing lest they should be attacke
BY q stronger party, made sail. and stoo
out to sea with the body OF DR.. James o
board London Times.