Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-06
BONNY's THRILLING STORY.


Because the truth belongs to civiliza-
ton, whatever it is concerning the Bart
teIot scandal and the Stanley rear guard
ought to come out and be exposed to the
full blaze of public scrutiny. Because it
will have an important bearing upon the
selection of men to fit out exploring expe-
ditions and command them in the future,
the truth should be known about the fated
guard at Iambuya.
We have believed from the outset that
Barttelot was, whether insane or merely
brutal, guilty of the charges laid at the
door of his memory. 1t is cruel thing,
in most cases, to assail the dead, to stir
scandal about lives that cannot be heard
in defense But something is due also to
the living, and everything is due to the
truth. When Benny besought Walter
Barttelot not to drag his brothers body
from his grave, it was a warning that
should have been needed, but was not.
The Barttelot family insisted that STAN
Iey's mild references to the Major were in
famous lies and cruel calumny. The fam
lily therefore challenged the establishment
of the truth, and trampled upon the veil
of charity Stanley sought to draw across
the terrible scenes at Yambuya.
Now comes William Bonny, the only
living English officer of the rear column,
and tells his story in the columns of the
London Times. He lays bare all the inhu-
mainly and cruelty of Barttelot and sweeps
away all remaining doubt concerning that
officers conduct, which it is charity to
assume was the result of the promptings
of insanity-if not, then of the most devil
ish spirit that ever possessed human
being.
DR.. Bonny's story is too long to repeat
here-reference to its main features must
suffice to inform the public mind. Bonny
testifes that Barttelot was as cruel, inhu-
man, jealous and fendish as Assad Farren
asserts. He did delight in inficting the
most severe cruelties upon the natives.
He did attempt to give Selim Ben Mon
tanned, nephew of Tippu lib, deadly
poison. He did seize native woman and
fasten his teeth into her flesh, and but for
Bonny's interposition would have been
Drained upon the spot.
1t was the Majors habit to stand before
the natives and show his cleaning white
teeth, and to gnash them in order, he
said, to COW the savages. He kicked the
little boy, Soudi, repeatedly in the most
cruel manner and finally struck him
terrific blow upon the forehead and kicked
him on the body, from the effects of which
the lad died.
Concerning the death of the mission
boy, John Henry, Benny says Barttelot
fiogged him cruelty for not interpreting
as the Major thought he should. The
boy had Barttelot's revolver in his posses
sion, and fleeing from his masters wrath
ran to another village and there sold it to
buy food. A Soudanese guard brought the
boy back, and Bartteiot ordered him shot,
but Benny told him Henry was too valu-
able as an interpreter, and thus saved him
for time. Barttelot then declared that
he would at least cut off the boys ears,
but desisted when Bonny asked how the
story of such cruelty would read in the
English and American papers.
Three days after the boy was marched
out of the guard-house, and in the pres
ence of the whole garrison Barttelot SEN
fenced him to be shot. The men became
greatly excited, and thereat Barttelot told
Benny he did not intend to more than
brighten the boy.
On the following morning at daylight Henry
was marched out and tied TO post. Four big
soudanese, not enc of them under six feet in
hight, were selected to administer the punish
ment. Each man was to deliver seventy-five
Iashes Henry never uttered sound after the
first thirty lashes, as he became insensible to
pain. This scene was the most horrible ever
saw. Notification set in, the mans flesh fell
Off in pieces to the ground. and his body
swelled to twice its ordinary size Within
twenty-four hours Henry died.
Bonny says it is true that he had cap
tured eight women and a child and was
trying to sell them to native tribe to
open up trade with them. Good nature
prevailed, and no harm was intended to the
captives. Suddenly Barttelot strobe up
with a pocket-knife in his hand, and, with.
out word, stabbed Chief Ungunga. Con.
fusion followed, and Bonny released the
-captives and soon after dressed the wound
of the Chief. Bonny calls on Lieutenant
Troup to verify this incident.
July Is, 1888, Bonny entered the village
in which Barttelot was subsequently killed
A house was given to him, and Abdullah
Koroni, the Chief, ministered to his hun.
ger. All was quiet and good feeling. On
the 18th Major Barttelot arrived, whom