The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-04-04
AN AMERICAN EXPLORER.


The First Man to Reach Lake Rudolf
Africa. from the North.
i Recently a telegram was received
from Auen from DIR. Donaldson Smith.
I'm American well known in Baltimore
and Philadelphia, announcing the sue
cess of the expedition for the explora-
ton of the region about Lake Rudolf,
East Africa, upon which he entered
some is months ago. DR.. Smith en-
joys the distinction-the result of his
recent endeavor-of being the first
white man to reach Lake Rudolf from
the north. While on a sporting trip to
Somaliland it occurred to him that he
might do some successful exploring
woAk further in the interior, where
there are still vast areas practically
unknown to the geographer. IN May,
1894, he started on his trip; aiming to
| traverse Somaliland, the Gala coun-
try, and the unknown belt of country
that lies to the north and northeast of
the two lakes discovered in 1858 by
Count Teleki and Lieut.. Won Hohnel,
OF the Austrian navy. In this he has
heen successful after overcoming nu-
merous difficulties created for him by
Emperor Menelck of Abyssinia, who
refused to permit the explorer to pass
through his country.
In September, 1894, he was heard
from while at point en- the Webb
Shebeli, in latitude degrees IL min
u'es north and longitude ~ degrees II
minutes end 80 seconds east. He then
had 10 camels I'm the pink of condi-
tion, and intended to cross the river |
Ercr westward Helnapped much of the |
country along the Erer and the courses |
OF the Sillul, Dacheto, lummo and |
Turfa, correcting many errors of ex-
listing maps. Game was abundant.
and large collections were made Illus
trating the animal and vegetable Efe
of the country. Fossil shells and coral
were found in the hills.
With the help of the peaceable Arusa
thought him being of
supernatural origin because he could
cross their rivers when swollen by
heavy reihs-he visited Sheik Husein.
|, holy place of the Mohammedans, in
lofty region with delightful climate
and fertile soil. At points over 5000
feet above the sea level the air was
moist and cool. The hostility of the
Abyssinians detained him for long
lime at Sheils Husein. The doctor was
surprised to find here number of
stone buildings, including womosques
and five shining white tombs of
aints. While trying to evade the
Abyssinans he discovered remarka- ,,
lie subterranean stream, where
tributary of the Jub had carved its way
or mile through the hill, II
Eventually Dir. Smith evaded the ,
lbyssinian outposts by long detour,
rossng the Webb Shebeli to the south. =
ie reached the country of the Borani, I
asst of Lake Stefanie, whom thecmper-
+ has not been able to conquer. From 1
AXE Stefanie he crossed to the north. b
IN end of Lake Rudolf, where the
ianamm river enters. His return to a
he coast was through new country |;
orth of kenia, en- the Tana river. by =
'hich he eventually reached Lamu,
nd thence Alden. OF DR.. Smiths
chicvements the London Times saws: =
There is no doubt that he has done an
Scelient piece of work which should N
clip to fill up mere THAN one blank on M
lie map of northeast Africa. Already, Il
deed, the British museum has bene-
ted largely by the collections DIR. al
NTH has sent from the Webb Shebeli. th
I'd in his journey to the lakes and
fence to Tana he has doubtless II
nassed other collections with which T
enrich the natural sciences" The
tails of his journey will be awaited h
it'll much interest by geographers.-
lltimore Sun. su