Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-25
A new MAHDI
For the Preservation Of Mohamms.
danism in Africa.
sAMApWs ARMY OF 100000 STRONG
Operating in an Extraordinary Manner
il the Interior Of Africa--A
Heroic King.
A coNsUrs ROMANTIC DISPATCH,

WASHINGTON, August 24.-Secretsry Of
State Bayard is in receipt of q dispatch
from Sierra Leon, giving accounts OF the
movements Of an army Of 100000 men in
the interior of Africa. The dispatch is
dated July II last, and was sent by United
States Consul Lewis. Nh. Lewis says: u
have the honor 10 bring to the notice Of the
Department of State the fact Of an sxtraor-
dinary movement among tAs Mokamme-
dams Of the Nigritian regionS, extendA g
from Timbuctoo on the west coast. 1t sp,
pears that in 1880 Mandingo named
Ssmadu, Of extraordinary intelligence and
energy, conceived the idea that he was
called Of God to wage war for
the suppression Of psganism and the
opening Of roads to the east, which in Ger
tain districts have been for generations sub.
iected to excessive blackmail and to the
plundering Of vsgabond tribes. During the
last FIVE years he has collected an army con-
sisting of foot and horse of about 100, 900
men. Mohommedsn youth, wherever he
goes, Aocks to his standard anxious not
only to secure the reward in the hereafter
promised to those vino fight for religion but
to carry off the rich spoils of time, which
these expeditions that battle for faith are
sure to win. 1t is said that
samadu's Army
is divided into three portions, one is operat'
ing near the head waters Of the Niger
This portion recently drove certain French
troops from the gold regions OF the bourse
of which they had taken possession and are
now beseiging Bammocks, large town on
lie Niger, occupied about three years ago
ny French who have erected Notifications
rk,r another p, rton OF The army is operat-
,rg IN the region east of Liberia, and by
Expressing the disturbing elements unfet-
triDg trade, introducing knowledge Of re-
gion and letters is in one sense opening
the way for negro immigrants Of intell-
gence and energy from America to push out
from the Africa-Americsn Republic to the
healthy and fertile regions of
the interior. In another sense it
is iorestslling the whole region
For Mohammedanism
and making it dificult, if not impossible
if indeed it is desirable,t to convert that cour-
try to the faith imported from America by
immigrants The third portion of the army
is approaching the coast few miles north
of Sierra Leon. 1t has secured submission
by force or voluntary surrender OF all tribes
on the way for FIVE thousand miles back.
The largest and most Important pagan
kingdom on this side Of the Niger was
Sooiims, of which Tslsbs, large CONNER
cial city, was the capitol. Por the last
sixty years the fulah Mohsmuedans have
been trying by diplomacy and hy arms to
subdue this city to the faith, but it has
always successfully resisted both diplomat
and warrior. Lsst year SamadUs army in
overwhelming numbers surrounded II and
called upon the King to surrender end pro,
fess Islam. This he refused TO do.
Heroic King.
The town was then invested and aser
terrible siege OF FIVE months the king as
sembled the royal family and the principal
chiefs in bis powder house and informed
the m that he could hold out no longer as
his resources were exhausted, but having
for more than 200 years belonged to the
Eli ruling element he was determined for
himself and family, to die rather than come
under Mobammedan rule. he gave the
chiefs their choice either to die with him
or 20 out OF the town and give them
selves up 10 the enemy They decided to
die with him. he then set fire 10 the pow
der and they were all blown up. This end.
ed the Sool!nS power which for more than
seven generations influenced trade and pol.
itics OF extensive districts and had com
manded the principal highwaysto the coast
Another very important achievement OF tn
army is the destruction Of The Hoobas
DOW er, an irrespor sible crIsDiaatioD wnich
for thirty years has been source o s.noy-
ance and loss to caravans passing from the
interior to the coast. Ssmsdu gave orders
to attack them in their mountain strong
holds which until then had proved inacces.
sible to the neighboring forces.
AsChief's Fate.
They were surprised, their ch Of was cap
tur ed and decspitated, and his arms and
legs severed from the trunk we're sent 10
various countrss, where the inhabitants
had suffered frUm his predatory proceed.
ipps. The EDobss are described as rene
rade Fsn'ahs in rebellion against the King
Of Timbos The roads no~ have been
cleared of iheee thieves and murderers.
These operations will not be without sslu.
tary effect moon Am. sicsn commerce, fr
Il ere is in that coUniry al increasing de.
mand for American pr auctions, and many
OF the articles produced By the people are
valuable in American trade Stmadu's
armv is now only few nih 8 from the coast
northeast Of Sierra Leon.