Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-02-21
An AMERICAN ExpLoRER.
rhe First Man to Reach Lake Rudolf,
Africa. from the North.

L
Africa, from the North.
Recently telegram was received
from Alden from DIR. Donaldson Smith,
an American well known in this city
and in Philadelphia, announcing the
success of the expedition for the ex.
ploration of the region about Lake Ru-
dolf, East Africa, upon which he en-
tered some Is months ago. DR.. Smith
enjoys the distinction-the result of
his recent endeavor-of being the first
white man to reach Lake Rudolf from
the north. While on sporting trip to
Somaliland it occurred to him. that he
might do useful exploring work fur
Their 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 country and the
unknown belt of the country that lies
TO the north and northeast of the two
lakes discovered in 1888 by Count Tele-
Iii and Lieut.. Won Hohnel, of the
Austrian navy. In this he has been sue
cessful after overcoming numerous diff
ficulties created for him by Emperor
Menelek of Abyssinia, who refused to
permit the explorer to pass through his
country.
In September, 1894, he was heard
from while at point on the Webb
Shebeli, in latitude degrees II min
utes north and longitude AZ degrees IL
minutes and 20 seconds east He then
had ITO camels sin the pink of condi-
ton" and intended to cross the River
Erer westward. He mapped much of
the country along the Erer and the
courses of the Sillul, Dacheto, Lummo
and Turfa, correcting many errors of
existing maps. Game was abundant,
and large collections were made illus
trating the animal and vegetable life
OF the country. Fossil shells and coral
were found in the hills.
With the help of the peaceable Arusa
Gallas-who thought him being OF
| supernatural origin because he could
cross their rivers when swollen by
heavy rains--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
| time at Sheik Husein. The doctor was
surprised to find here number of
stone buildings, including two mosques
and five shining white tombs of saints.
While trying to evade the Abyssinians
he discovered a remarkable subterra-
mean stream, where tributary of the
Jub had carved it's way for a mile
through the hill.
Eventually DR.. Smith evaded the
Abyssinian outposts by long detour
crossing the Webb Shebeli to the south
He reached the country of the Borani,
east of Lake Stefanie, whom the EN-
peror has not been able to conquer
from Lake Stefanie he crossed to the
northern end of Lake Rudolf, where the
! Nianamm river enters. His return to
the coast was through new country
north of Kenia, on the Tana river, by
which he eventually reached Lamu, and
thence Alden. Of DR.. Smiths achieve.
ment the London Times says: "There
is no doubt that he has done an excel
lent piece of work, which should help
to fill up more than one blank on the
map of Northeast Africa. Already, in
deed, the British museum has benefited
largely by the collections DR.. Smith has
sent from the Webb Shebeli, and in his
journey to the lakes and thence to the
Tana he has doubtless amassed other
collections with which to enrich the
natural sciences" The details of his
/ journey will be awaited with much in
terest by geographers.-Balt Sun