Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-16
FEVER AND FAITH.
The Latter Proves Bad Medi-
GIVE for the Former.
FANATIOIsM AT SIERRA LEONE.

American Missionaries of the Faith
Healing Creed the Subject of Diplo-
matte Correspondence-They Try Their
Method Against Tropical Fever and
Make a woful Failure-Their Rash Rot
ImperiIs Other Lives and the British
Auth critics Take Hold.
WA sHINGToN CITY, Oct. l6-The Brit
ish minister has transmitted to the de-
partment af state letter from the gov
ernor of Sierra Leone, inclosing report
from the colonial surgeon at Freetown,
DIR. Palmer Ross, relative to the case OF
certain American missionaries at that
place. DR.. Ross reports that the superin-
tendent of the party. Mr.. Kingman, ar
rived there on Feb. q. 1890 and was fol-
lowed ON June 10 by Mrs. kingman, Miss
Dick, and Messrs Helmick, Jaderguist,
Codding. Trice Ia negro), Gates and Har-
ries 1t is stated that upon their arrival
they began to live in native fashion, eat
ing native food, cooking and washing for
themselves, an even collecting their own
fuel in the rainy season, hoping thus to
gain the confidence of the natives.
A"o sutcu"D.
On July Mr. Kingman informed DIR.
Ross that two of his party had died that
day. Upon inquiry DIR. Ross learned that
no doctor had been called in to attend the
deceased Gates and Harries). the whole
party being staunch believers in faith
healing;" that they had taken no medi-
cine. and had died of fever Dr. Ross,
. tol
is apt to assume virulent form among
newly arrived white people, ordered the
BODIES TO be buried as soon as possible,
and sent the sanitary policeman to see
the order carried out, to disinfect the
house, and destroy the bedding, etc,
used by the deceased The officer reported
that others were sick in the house, a fact
which the missionaries had not stated,
and on the next day Mr.. Kingmau sent
for the doctor to see his wife
The Leaders Wife Also Dies.
She was found to be in the last stage of
exhaustion from neglected fever, having
been i'll for nine days, and in spite of all
that could be done she died on the even
ing of the 18th. On the previous day Mr..
kIngman was found to be i'll, but refused
to accept medical assistance. That even
ing rice, WHO was also Ill, sent lOr
the doctor and consented to be taken to
the hospital for treatment, under which
he has recovered. On the 18th Mr.. King
man, though worse, having again refused
To receive the doctor, that gentleman in
formed him that as the missionaries had
by their action originated malignant
type of fever in Freetown, endangering
the whole community. he would report
the matter to the governor isolate the
house, and advise that the rest of the par
! ty be sent back to America.
Wants No More of the Kind.
Mr.. kingman then consented to be
treated solely on the ground that he did
not wish to endsnger the community and
was on July -, 1870. convalescent. Mr..
Ross adds that he understands that these
missionaries intend going due east into
the interior guided only by a compass
In view of these facts and of the state
ment in the Missionary Review" tina; an.
| other party of missionaries is expected,
| the governor of Sierra Leone calls atten-
| ton to the matter, las this climate is not
suited TO those who trust alone to faith
( healing and ignore the means placed 10y
! providence at their disposal for the relief
/ of suffering humanity" and as such con
| duct Is a danger to the community at
! large