The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-04
The Remarkable Expedition Led
Into the Interior by Mrs.
French Sheldon.
Appearing Before the Astonished
Natives in a White Silk
Ball Dress.
Different Experience With the Men and
Women of the Forest-The Har-
binger of Peace.

Mrs. French Sheldon, the celebrated Afri-
can traveller, after having lectured before
the noted geographical and anthropoiogical
societies of Europe on tho subject of her
recent expedition into East Africa, made
her initial bow Monday night to q gather
ing of her fellow Americans, appearing be-
fore members Of the American Geographi-
cal society of New York City at. Chickcring
hall.
The president of the society, Charles P.
DAILY, INTRODUCED Mrs. Sheldon, md she
began her lecture by outlining the diff
cuIties placed in her way by friends and
othefs when her idea ef entering Africa
from the east coast first became known.
She was told that she was attempting the
impossible; that tho idea was utterly inn
engaged to 70 on a '~'ssfari" Journey led
by q woman into a district terrorized over
by the bloodthirssy Nasal.
Having listenodto the thoorstical difficult
ties, sho thcn had to encounter the practical
ones. At MombaBa thsre Was not a single
porter to be had. This British East African
compnn could not or would not assist her.
and, in fact, the manager of that company
emphntically opposed her going, fearing to
assume any responsibility on her account
or to run the risk of having to send a relief
expedition after her. Leaving Aombasa,
she tried her luck at Zanzibar, and thsre.
having obtained audiance with the sultan
and enlisted his assistance. she found her-
self in command Of 1873 %portars, composing
the caravan she WAS to load into the in
terror.
The lecturer narrated her remarkable
journey, carrying her audience with her
nVnr har In hnrinnE n rrH from tbn n &~
the interior; holding them deeply inter
ested while she interviewed the fierce
Nasal, rs she terms the AFRICAN boRe-
men," and during her adventu GUS and
hitherto deemed impossible descent to the
edge of Lake Chnis. and tho navigation Of
thoss waters on the frail ''pontoon' which
had been brought with the caravan.
Alone, and unaideu by government, soci-
CITY, company or individual, Mrs. Sheldon
went to Africa as a harbingsr of peace, and
it is a curious fact, and ons worthy Of the
consideration OF governments, who regard
Africa with a Jealous eyc for the purposes
of colonization; Of companies, which arc
dreaming of the great fstnte-to thsm-
selvss-in Enst Africa, and Of philanthro-
piats. who desire to carry enlightenment
civilization into this dark continent, that
this woman should havo bean able TO make
her Why through the numerous tribes en-
countsrsd on her route and return with \
tale to unfold, not so mnch of hairbrsadth
escapes from trsaohsrona guides and ma
tives. AZ Of ths kindly disposition and
courtesios she experienced wherever her
steps were bsnt.
The kombos. in tho neiphhorhood OF
Lake Chula, who have been doomed OK
tremely farocious people and very tricky in
their dealings. she found most civil and
eager to do her homage. She found them
neither nncouth, unkind nor ungenerous,
but, on the contrary, they loaded her with
presents without expectation OF reciprocal,