The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-10

were slowly passing with deadly monotony
OF climatic troubles, came squabbles, petty
resentments, jealousies and chickering's. NO
one venturinR to break the fearful inaction
BY q combined protest against the corrupt
influence that was at work destroying their
manhood. their independence and native
force Of character.
DO you begin to see why cannot I'M
derstand so many things in connection
with the rear column? / am unable ia
penetrate into the motives of these acts.
the recital of the dreadful story bewildere
me 30 much that do not know what other
terms to use. ] say that cannot under
etand why Barttelot should go ON, day after
day, crushing to death the helpless, docile
humanity placed under his charge. when
the smallest reflection would have
impressed him with the fact that he could
not have marched or done anything in
Africa without those men. cannot un-
derstand why he should continue his ca
reer of cruelty, deprivinR himself OF
faithful soldiers and carriers. preferrine
slaves for whose necks he had to purchase
chains.
II cannot understand why Jameson. hay
ing paid $1,000 for the privilege of accom-
panying us, should be 80 blinded by his
friendship for Barttelot as not to perceive
that he was rendering it impossible that he
should reap the advantages that he had an
tlclpated when he joined us. cannot un-
derstand how Jameson should suddenly
ne IS represented when buying a little girl
and having her deliberately murdered be-
fore his eyes, for the qualification Of NOR
bid curiosity. l cannot understand why
Messrs. Troup, Ward and Bonnv, sufficient
~ educated, as is clear from their letters,
should allow Barttelot to go on kicking and
striking Staying, stabbing and biting human
ff1oxy xUor md IN tonk
were it only for the sake of their own fair
name and interests. Was Barttelot insane?
Then must Jameson also have been insane.
Their insanity must have overpowered the
reason of the three surviving officers, or
am insane in supposing these fearful acts,
this stupid malignity, this remorseless cru
city, this mc0mprehensible perversity, de-
serving of my censure.
I'm my opinion the docile acquiescence
of his subordinates in these misdeeds has
been more pernicious to Barttelotand them
selves and our expedition than Barttelot's
own sanguinary disposition. Mr.. Troup
states that he feared to be shot as mutt
neer; Mr.. Benny admits that he thought
Barttelot too dangerous to interfere with,
while MIR. Ward processes to have seen
nothing in all Barttelot's actions but what
was cOmmendable and characteristic OF q
gentleman. In New York Mr.. Ward was
accustomed to entertain Mr.. E. j. Glave,
Mr.. Richie and Mr.. Pond with stories OF
Barttelot's special malignity to himself and
his severity to others. but now this man
who was formerly described as malignant
savage is made to appear as Christian
officer and gentleman. The Barttelots,
DESTROYS of getting some expression of
opinion from me about Maj. Barttelot,
caused two Of the committee to ask me
if l would write a word of sym
pathy. accordingly wrote long
hv IN
Walter Barttelot in his book, with
string of silly and malicious comments.
In answer to that letter I received the most
extraordinary composition that was ever
addressed to me, through which the dead
Barttelot's peevish and unreasonable nature
more to do than to let the writer 20 his own
way and. most unwisely, l think, he has
steered his course. For, instead of helping
me to protect his brothers memory and
reputation, he has been the means of induc-
ing me to substantiate that censure and let
light upon those terrible misdeeds.
''Mr. Walter Barttelot was advised by all
of my late comrades in the advance column
to let the matter rest. Mr.. Benny has stated
publicly that he also rendered the same ad-
vice. Sir Walter Barttelot. che father, was
not ignorant that these terrible acts were
charged against the dead son. He surren-
dered all documents and letters to the edi-
tor of the Diaries, and he was thoroughly
aware Of the nature of the book about to
be published as the proofs came in.
How can these people dare to say now
that they did not know of abominable
crimes alleged to have been committed by
Major Barttelot or Mr.. Jameson? declare
now that the only charges which I have
made are that the rear column was wrecked
by the irresolution of its officers, the neglect
of their promises and their indifference to
their written orders, maintain that these
charges are true in each and every particu-
lar. The very worst construction that
could be placed upon their conduct, as de-
soribed in the sad story of the rear column
of Darkest Africa" is that they had COM
mitted pitiable error of Judgment. had
desired and did my verv best to bury in
the graves of the misguided men all else.
1.-Two of the surviving officers. Messrs.
Troup and Ward, loudly and insistently
in furthering the object of the expedition.
frankly acknowledge that they did as far
as it was possible without mourning per
sonal danger or disturbing that blissful
state of mind which is oblivious of duty
and deaf to the call of suffering humanity.
And their subsequent conduct after re-
treating from the presence of danger, one
on the plea of illness and the other OF being
used as messenger, is a little inconsistent
boy is taught in every civilized land must
animate every man who wishes to be COM
mended as virtuOus man, obedient to the
call of duty. With unblushing etfronters
and brazen impudence they lead that tribe
of writer's who delight in scandal, and
from the lecture platforms undertake to
censure and denounce me as the cause of
their pitiful failure"