The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-12
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADERS.
Expsrlsnos or One Of Uncle Sans
Commercial Agents In the
Dark Country.
wholesale Massacre Followed by
tho Horrible Mutiiaiion OF
tho Dead Bodies.
Cruelty OF the Inhumnn slave Traders
Battle Wlth Results that Are
simply Awiui.

Mr.. Dorsey Mohun, United States COM
mercial agent at BONA, Congo FREE state
has made a thrilling report 90 the state de-
nartmtut GA the subject Of the African
Slave trade. IN which he gives details Of
rannilalism ana other acts OF barharsm.
What gives his report a special interest in
This vicinity g. that the author Is a lifelong
resident OF this city. Tie Is the only repre-
sentative Of this government ia that part
II the "Gark continent Tie was sent
there with view Of advancing the com
mcrcinl interests OF the United States and
incidentally 90 investigate the slave trade.
In order 10 gain q clear insight into the
whole matter Mr. Mohun attached himself
30 the expedition which was sent out 10y the
CONGO government under command OF NJ
Chaltin This expedition. both in point Of
strength and from the results which Il ac-
,omnlished, was one of the most important
ever sent against TIE Arabs and practically
-Ave the slave trade in the Congo country
lbs dcsthbloW. IL penetrated the great
Lomami river region, the stronghold Of the
slave traders. and after considerable heavy
fighting and I'M the face Of great mortality
from smallpox and fever. succeeded in
breaking up several of the most noted
bands, whose operations had terrOrized the
entire locality.
The expedition started from BasOko. on
the Congo river, in the BruXelles, a govern
ment steamer, and eventually reached
stanley falls. The United States officer
did not join it until after VI. Chaltin, who
had gone into the backlying country. He
caught the steamer on its next trip down
to Basoko, aud later joined Commandant
Chaltin. lie found that the officer had
been most successful, defeating the Arabs
in an open fight and completely destroying
the village Of Tchari, which consisted Of
900 houses. From that point the expedi-
ton sailed for Benakamba, where 70 was
reorganized and set out for Riba Riba $50
strong. Then began the stirring and ex-
citing adventures which lasted until the
object Of the expedition had been accom-
plished. Evidences of inhuman cruelty on
the part OF the slave traders were encoun-
tered.
When the town OF Ikamba was reached a
grewsome sight greeted the expedition.
The chief Of that district, being an ally Of
the Arabs, had placed directly across the
road a CHASTITY barricade of Is newly sever
ed heads. The natives had fed. however,
anu klAE AOMA WIS AFNfAANAA saw ANA AAANaN
grisly warnings. Without needing this
fearful sight the expedition pushed on, and
on March - was stopped by an impossible
stream. Scouts were sent out to find a
ford. and soon returned with the news that
a large body of Arabs was preparing TO
cross the river at a point not far away
These were the first slave dealers who bad
been encountered, and the force was imme-
s.fana.1 for nm "a
The Arabs had not discovered the pres
ence Of the expedition, and the first warn
ing they had was "a she'll from the field
piece which dropped into their camp.
After several hours OF hot fighting across
the river the Arabs withdrew, and upon
crossing over the blood which spattered the
ground and bushes showed the victors that
some deadly work had been done Only
one dead Arab was found, as it is the Gus
tom Of this people, Mr. Mohun says, to re-
move their dead If possible. After the
battle l50 men succeeded in crossing the
river and were ordered 10 push on 10 Riba
Riha. as it wax desired 20 reach Nit town
before the retreating forces of the Arabs
could give warning of the approach Of the
expedition.
This detachment Mr.. Mohun accompa-
MED. but On reaching the town they found
tho place deserted. Tho only thing they
did hus was another bit o. Arab pleasantly
I'm the shape Of two right hands Of white
men nailed TO The FLAGSTAFF in front OF the
chiefs house. Mr.. MuLun expressed the
belief that they were those Of Messrs.
Michaels a4l Noblesse, who were murder
60 there the wee.- before. j. is the inten-
tion of NJ. CLaltiu o. destroy these nests,
and TIE detachment marched away in the
light cd tha lamo- which assembled from
the VILLAGE e-l returned SO the main force.
Smallpox bad ualcitsup appearance among
the men. AND Cu tle next day all Of the sick
we've sent huc'- % iieu-Eamba under guard.
The expedition followed few days later
and reached the steamer Ou Alay .. taking
three DAYS tomalle the home Journey, which
bad consumed nine days ia going. The
SCENE, ou THE road going baCk, according
fro SIR Mohuns descriptions, were appall
ing The dead from the sick column lined
The way, and occasionally a corpse would
be- tuuIbied over as 10 lay concealed in the
high grass, So great was the mortality that
upon reaching Benckaml1 10 was found
I that l0i persons had died in less than two
weeks
The battle which ended the expedition
wa fought 40 Stanley falls. The soldiers
/ werr ia two dutachweuts under c0verof the
/ fire from the cannon on The steamer. One
/ detachment carried tho factory 40 The point
+ of the bayoret, and for awhile there wa,
/ bot work. The retreating Arabs were pur
/ sued 10 The village, which Che soldiers took
/ THE other detachment. ou the right bank
| Of The river. had calamity captured another
/ town. killing the chief and e. Of his men
| The defeat ald r0ut Of the Arabs was com
/ plete, and hc slaughter from tine rifles d
/ the soldiers was fearful. After this disas
| tr1u- defeat many of the Arabs slaves, sol
/ dicrs, women aud other rctaiuers CAV
+ theilaeive, up. Ia aii about 100 Of tines
/ Surrendered 90 the expedition.
There being no further danger from IN
F Arab after sueh "a complete rout. tine tx
pcd.uYn irft stanley falls and went 20 Rc
mic. another Arab town, which they foam
had 1ruu already captured Ly "a small fore
uud.r tle command 81 SIR. Five, the ir
sp-ltor 90 thc Congo state. and ana officer
Here Sir. ADhun lw some sights whic
,vcre revolving ia The extreme, .urpassiu
ga savae,rs anything that hc had iua-.in
-Wa-hIn.tou star.