Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-16
FAITH CURE MISSIONARIES.
Victims of the Deadly Tropical Fever
A Curious Story From Africa.

The British minister has transmitted to the
Department Of State letter from the governor
Of Sierra Leone inclosing a report from the
colonial surgeon at Freetown, DIR. D. Palmer
Ross, relative to the case of the nine American
missionaries at that place.
DIR. Ross reports that the superintendent Of
the party. Mr.. Kingman, arrived there Febru-
airy 81, 1890. and was followed June 10 by Mrs
Kingman, Miss Dick and Messrs. Helmick, ia
derquist. Coddngs, Trice "a negro), Gates and
Harries. 1t is stated that upon their arrival
they began to live in native fashion, eating
native food, cooking and washing for them
selves and even collecting their own fuel in tho
rainy season, hoping thus to gain the conf
dence of the natives. On July Mr.. Kingmau
informed DIR. Ross that two of his party had
died that day. Upon inquiry DR.. Ross learned
that no doctor had been called in to attend the
deceased (Messrs. Gates and Harries), the
whole party being staunch believers in faith
healing;" that they had
TAKEN NO MEDICINE AND HAD DIED OF FEVER.
DR.. Roses, knowing that tropical fever, if
neglected, is apt to assume a 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 dlsintect the house and destroy
all bedding, clothing, &C., used by the deceased;
that officer reported that others were sick in
the house, q fact which the missionaries had
not stated, and on the next day Mr.. Kingman
sent for the doctor to see his wife. She was
found to be in the last stage Of exhaustion from
neglected fever, having been ill for nine days,
and In spite OF all that could be done she died
On the evening OF the 18th.
CURED IN SPITE OF HIMSELF
On the previous day Mr.. Kingman was found
to be ILL., but refused to accept medical assist
ance. That evening Mr.. Trice who was also
i'll, sent for the doctor and consented to be
taken to the hospital for treatment under
which he has recovered. On tho 18th Mr.
Kingman though worse. having again refused
to receive the doctor. that gentleman informed
him that the missionaries had by their ac-
ton, originated q malignant type of fever in
Freetown, endangering the whole country he
would report the matter to the governor. iso-
late the house and advise that the rest of the
party be sent back to America. Mr.. Kingman
then consented to be treated ''sololv on the
ground that he did not wish to endanger the
community" and was, on July %, $780, con-
yalescent
THE CLIMATE NOT SUITED TO FAITH CURE.
DR.. Ross adds that he understands that these
missionaries intend going due east into the in
terror, guided only by a compass In view of
these facts and OF tho statement in the Mis-
sionary Review" that another party OF mission
aries are expected, the governor OF Sierra
Leone calls attention to the matter .'as this
climate Is not suited to those who trust alone
to faith healing and ignore the means placed
by Providence at their disposal for the relief
of suffering humanity" and as such conduct is
danger to tho community at large"