The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-12-09
TEN OF THE PARTY WERE KILLED.
DEATH in THE BUSH.
Authentic Account Of the Massacre OF Baron
Won Norbeck

The onlcial account Of Baron Won Nor
beck's expedition TO the Lions Head, Qua
dalcannr island, Solomon group, has been
received in San Francisco. The expedition,
consisting OF 80 persons, left the ship August
3. II consisted OF Baron T.. Won Norbeck
Midshipman Armand de Bauford, Midship-
man Max Riscn, flve petty officers, sixteen
sailors, two servants and four native guides
all under the command of Lieutenant Frank
Budik.
After starting II was deemed advisable to
send 10 men back. II was tho intention to
march over the Coastal plnins, reach tho
mountains and explore Lions Head, an ex-
tinct volcano. After 10 hours hard march,
ing eight men and Midshipman Risen re-
turned to the ship. Won Norbeck's party d.
vidod, oight sailors and three native guides
remaining In camp under command Of Lieut..
Beaufort. The remainder started at 1880 in
the morning OF August 10. Budik and Won
Norbeck led the way toward the mountains.
At intervals along tho trail bushmen ap-
psared and followed the party.
Aftor three quarters of an hour of hard
climbing halt was called. When the party
got under way two shots were fred some dis
tance down the hill. They seemed to be the
signal for an attack. A number of bushmen
jumped out of the brush, armed with clubs
and tomahnwks, and began fierce attnck on
the explorers. Two natives sprang at Budik
and tried TO beat his brains out, but Budk
shot them both dead.
Petty Officer Maras and seamen Lovric
were separated from the rest OF the party
and though both were severely wounded by
spear thrusis and knife cuts, they managed
TO hold their own against tho assailants. As
soon az Budik fired the bushmen fled, but
during the short skirmish the baron had been
attacked and hal fallen sorely wounded.
Maras received a fatal wound.
Won Norbeck was found leaning against n
rock, bleeding profusely from wound In
the neck. While the natives were retreating
all the sailors kept up rapid fire on them.
About 20 bnshmen were laid low. The baron
had received deep cut in the neck and n
dislocation Of the right shoulder. Petty Of
licer Maras was cut across the forehead by a
tomnhawk and his skull fractured. Sailor
Lovric and an attendant were seriously in
jured.
The wounded we're placed on stretchers
and n start made for Beaufort's camp. Ar
riving there startling state of affairs was
discovered. Beaufort's native guide and
one sailor were dead and four mariners were
wounded. The place had been taken COM
pletely by surprise. The wounded and those
who were fortunate enough to escape un-
hurt. had scarcely time TO seize their wea-
pons and defend themselves. Beaufort was
sailors seized their rifles and opened 1re.
Several cannibals fell, but but the savnges
made another rush and laid out two more
men and wounded several others. Several
rapid yolleys were fired into the natives and
they retreated to the bush.
AZ 1920 am. soon alter reaching camp,
Baron Won Norbeck died. AS It was impossi-
BILE to fetch the body 10 the coast then It was
buried under q tree. The other dead were
also hidden beneath some rock piles. At
II am. the party hurried away, leaving all
camp material behind and after march Of
six hours and a half reached the coast Help
soon arrived. Two expeditions to recover
the bodies were organized, but the attempt
was not made. II was discovered that 10 OF
the exploring party, including four native
guides, had been slaughtered and ~ wounded
About 40 sayapps were killed