Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-15

CtDoof tutu u2o5t iropic bubpre@ =,
very strong reasons for believing tnst
had Janeson's name mover been con-
nected with this unfortunate incident
both Barttlelot and h1mself would be alive
to-dny. The facts which have led me 10
these conclusions are these Assad faran
first told the story Of the act OF cannlDsi-
ism 10 the authorities OF the Congo Free
State. Those authorities were indignant
and excited, and forced Assad Fsran 70
make an affidavit relating TO the whole
story. That story they forwarded 10
their government at home, and through
this channel and others of a private na-
ture all the details of the case were IN
danger OF being exposed in Europe.
Major Barttelot became aware OF the
full story. and was much excited over 1t,
| He took notes in his diary OF the circun-
stances as they we're related TO him, and
believed he had also a complete copy
of the affidavit Of Assad FaraD, made at
the time when Major Bsrttelot arrived
at the village where I was in July, 1883,
and he was killed. He was full OF this
story. and terribly unneryed and e1-
cited about 1t.
Almost the first thing be did upon his
arrival was to take one Of the red books
in which he kept his diary, dash it down
before me on the table, crying angrily
and Indignantly, "Look at that, Bonny.
Read that. i shall lose my commission.
/ read portions of the diary, which Major
Barttelot pointed out. They comprised
the story relating to Jameson and the
/ Il l.
ing he talked incessantly about losing
his commission and being dismayod at
home.
After I had finished reading / said I:
''I don't see, Major, how you can be
held responsible for what jameson has
done. You were not present You were
not even in command Of jameson
party"
TO this the Major replied ooh, yes,
but am in command of the rear col
umn, and one Of our men has done this
awful thing, and ! will be blamed for it. "
Violent as had been Barttelot's con-
Duct on many previous occasions, he
never seemed to so utterly lose control
Of himself as he did from this time. i
ascribe bis violence then and during the
following day to the excitement brought
on by bis knowledge Of the cannlbai
story and its possible consequences when
it should reach England.
have never doubted that Barttelot
was becoming insane, through priyations
and anxieties and other causes, but the
cannibal incident was unquestioDably the
last straw. From that time he can hardly
be held responsible for what he did.
LOOK AT THAT. BoNSfY
Now, as to Jameson, he. too, became
very anxious when he realized what he had
done and heard how seriously the Congo
State authorities regarded the matter,
and was told that report of the case
had been forwarded 10 Europe. lie
was very anxious to stop the story from
reaching England, and was "a matter
of fact, hurrying to the coast chiefly TO
try to prevent the circumstances being
sent. or at least TO accompany them with
q denial or explanation. l believe that
this anxiety and worry had much TO do
with the attack OF fever which caused bis
death.
EVERY PHASE OF SAVAGE LIFE.
So far as the truth of the story is con-
cerned | cannot doubt it. because when
jameson told me the circumstances he
made no Disguise of the matter, and
freely related the whole story without
reserve, and told not only me, Int
others. 1t must be remembered that
jameson was an ardent naturalist. lie
went on the expedition IN search Of
novelty, adventure, and scientific re-
searches, and in his enthusiasm TO see
every phase of savage life in Central
Africa do not believe he realized the
full seriousness of his act when
he accepted the offer Of Tippoo lib to
show the details OF cannibalism. Life is
very cheap in Central Africa, and girls
may be bought i'll every village where
we were at the rate of four girls for
piece Of twelve handkerchiefs. Jameson
was doubtless carried away by scientific
enthusiasm and forgot how differently
the terrible thing would be regarded at
home. 1 think it would have been bet
ter 10 have made this excuse for him,
if it is an excuse, rather than denied the
story. which can be almost completely
proven.
The statement that jameson merely
happened upon the feast Of the canni-
balls and drew nearly oil the sketches
from descriptions of natives could
hardly have been put forward by any
one acquainted with Central African
tribes. Cannibalism with them is not
an habitusl practice, When they fight
they cat their dead enemies, but it IS
not their custom to kill little girls
and eat them therefore, 1t could
have been only by some special induce
ment, or for n particular reason, that
this act of cannibalism which jameson
witnessed was perpotrated That Jane
son carried his enthusiasm to an extreme
is proved by another incident-the one
to which Mr.. Stanley referred in his
statement TO the Times in connection
with the preservation of the head of
native. 1t is perfectly true that jane
son did procure the head and neck of a
native, which he sent to England to be
embalmed. | have myself seen this head
in a glass case at the house OF Mrs.
Jameson in London.
1t is not merely the skull, but a pre-
served head, with the skin and hair upon
it. The facts in connection with the III
cident are that native with whom we
were we'll acquainted was shot and killed
by an Arab. Jameson sent some sol
diers to get the body and bring it to the
camp. This done, Jameson then had
the head cut off, packed in salt box end
we shipped it TO London. When it ar
rived it was handed over to Rowland,
Ward & Co., Piccadily, who dressed the
head for Jamesons representative.
While at the house Of Mrs. Jameson
upon one occasion she showed me the
curiosity, asking as she did 50, "Do you
know this gentleman ?" l replied;
eyes, know him well 1 have shaken
hands with him many times.
Mrs. jameson informed me that at
times the odor from the head was ex-
tremely disagreeable, and asked me the
reason why. replied "You have a