The morning call., 1891-07-05
PAUL CRhMPEL'S FATE.
A Report That Himself and Party Were
Eaten BY CaHHilalS

A startling report was received from
Africa recently that the French expedition
under command of Paul Crampel had been
killed and eaten by cannibals of Matonga,
says the Utica Observer. This is not the
first calamity OF the kind that has betallen
explorers of the Dark Continent but, strange
to say, only Frencbmen among the many
Europeans who have invaded the Congo
region have met this terrible fate. Part of
Crampefs mission was to punish the natives
who had killed and eaten the commander
and garrison a. BangGi, the French post on
the Mobangi. He left Stanley Falls for the
MObaugi in August last, and, on arriving,
re-eStabished the post and wrecked terrible
vengeance on the cannibals. He had with
him several European officers. small force
of SenegaIese soldiers, 200 native carriers
and large supply of trade goods. After
Furnishing the natives he assembled two or
three of the tributaries of the Mobangi, and
finally started for the great unknown" in
December. In January letter was re-
ceiyed from Crampel announcing that he
had crossed the country OF the Dapuas and
would soon come in contact with the people
of Baghirmi. The members of the party
were all well and making steady progress
north.
Little is known of the Matonga natives,
| but it is believed the tragedy must have
| happened near the border of Baghrmi.
| Crampel met an interesting people shortly
| after leaving the Mobangi. Their manufac-
| lures were similar to those OF the SOndaneSe.
| They use asses and cattle as beasts of bur-
| den, and have guns like those in Southern
| Algeria He saw curious structures made
| Of bark and built in the limbs of trees. such
| as Nachtigal described upon his visit TO the
| southern regions of the Soudan. Ladders
| made of vines connect the buildings with
| the ground, and the old men, provided with
| an abundance of poisoned arrows and
| wooden jayelins, constantly occupy those
lofty points of observation and give the
| alarm when strangers appear. Upon the
first signal the women and children disap-
pear in the forest, while the men spring be-
! hind the palisades that surround the villages
ready TO defend their homes.
This disaster is regarded as a great mis-
! fortune by the French, who have been
! eagerly seeking to extend their African
| possessions. They wished to attach to
their territory one Of the great unknown
| regions, aud expected to penetrate even to
the shores Of Lake Tehad. Crampel was
| TO make treaties with the chiefs on the
| way to bring their countries under French
| protection. In order that those treaties
ght be put into immediate effect secret
| expedition was sent out from France early
this year to follow in CrampePs footsteps.
! 1t was in charge of five white men, who Sc
| cured at ST. Louis, Senegal, all the soldiers
| they required and enlisted a large force OF
| porters at Loango. This expedition has
| probably reached Crampels base of opera
1 tions on the Mobangi.
| lis equipme Mt was in every way superior
TO that of the pioneer 1t is we'll armed
and able to cope with any ordinary force OF
| huStieS. The commander was Instructed
| TO make his way peaceaby through the
country if possible, and only to resort to
arms as a last expedient. Ti~re is little
| doubt, If Crampel's expedition has met the
| fate reported, that there will be- a fierce
! fight with the cannibals.
Crampei was one Of the most successful
| of French explorers lie was brave and
tuetful man. a skilled scientist and good
artist. He spent two years exploring the
/ forest regions OF the French Congo, and
| added great deal to our knowledge of the
/ cannibal tribes.