Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-10-12
AN EXPLORERS TRAGIC FATE.
Capt. Menard Kills Twenty nine Of Mis- Assail-
ants Before They Overcome Him.

PARIS. Oct. 1.-The details of the muir
der in West Africa of Capt. Menard, the
French explorer. have at length reached
Europe. Cspt. Menard started from the
Guinea coast about year ago, intending
to travel north to the French posts on the
Niger river making the same journey in
the opposite direction that Capt BiDger
made several years ago, but taking rather
more southerly route. so As to explore a
region along the upper Niger. con-
cerning which we have at pres
ent only the vaguest ideas. Cap.
Menard had no difficulty in reaching kor 4,
where he spent some time in assuring see
commercial relations which Capt. Binger
had previously arranged. lie then turned
west and along the commercial route to
Sakhala. On Dec. last he reached that
town, where he spent several weeks re-
organizing his little caravan. accompanied
only By ten Senegalese and some natives
portcrs he left Sakhala on Dec. go and
shor, time afterward reached the district of
Chief Fakuru Bema, who was laying siege
to the revolted town, Seguela. The inhab
itants of this town solicited help of Sekuba,
lieutenant of Frances arch enemy,
Samory. Fakuru Bemba, knowing that
Samory and the French were at war,
solicited aid of Capt. Menard,
who decided to assist the chief and with
his 10 Senegalese, took up position in
foriification near the town to which the
chief was laying seige. This was the end
of January.
Samorys lieutenant Sekuba, soon ar
riven. and Menard sent five of his Senegal
ese to protect his baggage. which was en-
tl,.,
killed by the enemy, and the II boxes of
goods in their possession were seized. Then
the chief whose part Menard had taken de-
cided to save himself and fled, leaving
Menard to look out for himself. lie was
now surrounded by hundreds of enemies
and with only five Senegalese under his
command. He was besides so i'll that he
could hardly leave his bed. He
knew that escape was impossible. His
Scnegalcse wished to remain with him, but
he refused to allow them to stay. By put
ting on the native costume he felt certain
that they could escape though there was
no chance for white man. He therefore
compelled them to leave him before he was
attacked.
With his revolvers and rifles he made
desperate fight before he was finally killed.
For several hours he kept the attacking ma
tives at bay and killed 80 of them. How
many he wounded is not known. The sick
man was alone in his Notifications, and
every time the enemy came within range 10
killed some of them. At last they con-
triyed to set fire TO the building. and when
the roof was burning over his head he was
obliged to leave or perish in the flames.
Suddenly opening the deor he rushed
out, firing at every step. He dashed across
some 800 feet of ground and reached a
stream of water, into which he was about
to leap when he was shot in the back and
mortally wounded. Some of the natives
report that he fell into the water and was
dragged out and despatched by his pnr-
suers. Others say that ne shot himself
dead after receiving the wound. Ssm0ry's
lieutenant cut of his head, and the body,
head and baggage were sent to Samory.
Menarsi was only 81 years Of ago. " was
a hazardous attempt for him to try to cross
with so small an escort country which he
knew was disturbed by war.