The herald., 1896-02-17
DR.. JAMESON

Leander Starr Jameson is Scotch
man Of A., and has spent the past
seventeen years in South Africa, the
last eight of which have been passed in
the service of Mr.. Rhodes. He was born
in Edinburgh, his father being writer
to the Signot and his mother daughter
of Msjor-General John Pringle. The
family settleo in London and
young Jameson studied medicine at
the University college. He distin-
guished himself as q student, and, for
a man of medium height aud sligt
physique, was tolerable athlete. He
won several silver medals as student,
a sch olarship in surgery, and when he
gradu ated at London university in
1875, took away the gold medal
for medical Jurisprudence. Then his
health broke down, and he took
tour in America. On his return, in
1878, he went to South Africa, and en-
tered into partnership with Dr.. Prince
in kimber ley. The practice prospered
exceedingly, for to professional knowl-
edge and capacity for incessant work
the young doctor brought suavity of
manner and no mean social gifts. Mr..
Rhodes was in the earlier eighties
rising millionaire, king among Kim
berley hnanciers, a member of the
legislative assembly and q politician,
the vastness of whose aims was real
lied only by his intimates. The two
men struck up q close friendship and
DR.. Jam ason is reported to have been
one Of his earliest conhdants in the
oe
When in 1888 the amalgamation Of the
diamond mines was completed, Mr..
Rhodes WAS free to begin his plan of
operations. He picked out DR.. Jane
son as Mr.. Rudd's companion in the
to obtain leave to march pio-
Jameson threw up one of the NEST lu-
ing his all upon his friends accom-
plishment of his dreams. He re-
mained at Buluwayo for three months,
treating Lobenguls for the Rout, and
becoming high favorits with that
unfortunate potentste. Hs was at
Buluwayo again when the pioneer ex-
petition followed Mr.. Selous up
C ,untry, and had much to do with Sc
curing safe passage for it, the Mata-
belle, in reality, being anxious for the
kings leave to bar it's way. DIR. Jane
son joined the column as Mr.. Rhodes
representative, marched with them to
Mount Hampden, and then, with Maj.
Frank johnson, struck across country
eastward to Punxwe, aud from thence
by water to Cape Town.
In 1890 be returned to Fort Sails
bury, and during 1S90'91, with two
English companions, visited Gungun-
hana's county, with the object of in
Guiding it Il the territory of the Char
tered company. He was successful in
extracting a concession and treaty
from the king; but the Anglo-Portu-
guesa negotiations stood in the way of
the compact and it lapsed. On his re-
turn. though much weakened by fever,
be accepted the post of administrator
Of Mashonalaud in succession to Mr..
Archibald Colquhoun. The position
was critical, for the Trausvaal Beers
were ready to trek across the Limpopo
into the new territory. DIR. Jameson
met them as they were preparing to
cross the river. He hal with him a
troop of the Bechu 4naland police. The
Beers were numerous and we'll armed
Bloodshed seemed inevitsb 9. But by
d,nt of persuasion DR.. Jameson kept
them on ihs other side of the river.
The trekkers disbanded, aud the VIC
tory was his. This feat alone made
his reputation. OF his actual admin.
iltration OF Mashonaiand Mr.. Selous-
writi1g before the war-shsll bear wit
mss:
Il consider that it was a veritable
il spiration that prompted Mr. Rhodes
to ask his old friend DR.. Jameson to
take over the arduous and difficult
duties Of sdministrstor OF NsshonA-