The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1896-11-13
STILL IN SOUTH AFRICA
John Jarvis, a Former Philipsburger,
Goes to the Front.
TO VAR WITH THE MATABELEs
\ Large Number of Prospectors ant
Farmers Murdered in Cold Blood
by the Savages.
Fort Chattc~. McehOna'and,

Friend - I received your letter of
March l4tn, only yesterday-owing to
the war and the rinderpest we ha e
had no mail here for about three
months.
You have heard before now Of the
rinderpest breaking out here, followed
by the Matabele rising.
On March 25th received notice
from the J. P. informing me of the
rising and telling me to warn others
in my neighborhood. A lager was
formed at Charter-composedo of wagons
in ring with thorn bushes thrown
around near the wheels There were
about eighteen men at Charter-half
down with fever and two with Jim
jams" (the latter chad 'em bad "
L had fever when | got notice, but
as it was only slight attack I was
able to rouse myself and went to
Charter to find out the extent of the
trouble and came back to the farm
where | stayed day or two and came
back leaving two Mashonas in charge Of
the cattle. [ stayed in Charter and did
three nights sentry duty in succession,
although 1 was abed with fever myself
as Charter is much worse than my
farm u.s. as the place where my hut is
located is on the top of rise and l
have well to get water from. am
sure that water obtained from the
streams has something to do with
fever, and [ never drink cold water if
I can help it.
When the Salisbury colun passed
here on its way to Gwelo they left a
sick OK on my farm, unknown to me,
and my cattle all got the disease and
died, thus depriving me Of my liveli-
hood. AS there is nothing to keep
me on the place, l am going to the
} front with the Natal contingent, if
possible. I am drawing rations and
ive shillings per day and now will get
ten shillings per day and rations when
they arrive at Charter
This war is far worse than the last
and with the rinderpest destroying
thousands of cattle the outlook is Ger.
tainly very bad, as we are dependent
! on cattle for transportation. Still,
have confidence in the future of the
country in spite of it all.
[ do not know whether I will be
I successful in getting with the Nata
volunteers, and [ hear that the Ma
shOnaland volunteers are gong to be
} disbanded at the end of this month
} and leave the work for the Natal, Cape
} volunteers, regulars, and about 30t
) new police, enlisted in England.
DR.. Jameson took most of the Char
Z tered company's police with him whel
4 he went fillibustering in the Trans
4 vaal, leaving the country without ade
quate police protection and also tool
all the officers Of any experience.
The Matabeles are now doing thei
fighting in guerilla fashion and not ex
} posing themselves in masses to eth
Maxim guns.
A large number Of prospectors ant
$ farmers have been murdered in COLI
4 blood by them. The modus operand
4 is this: They 60 to a farmer or pros
pector and say, 81 want to work.
4 The white man gives them somethin.
4 to do and is quite pleased with the wa.
4 the nigger works, and when he is no
Z from behind and is killed. A mai
D cape as it was he was badly cut wit
: native ak on the head. After killing
= their victim they mutilate him be
A number of natives have risel
. about 80 miles from Charter, but W
: have not been molested yet.
1t is rumored that Lobengula is no
dead; several natives and whit
l traders have told me that he is beyon
the Zambesl in hiding. The Chartere
company reported him dead for politi
cal purposes.
II June 10Th.
II Since writing the above the Nata
contingent has arrived, and I will joi
them on their way to Matoppo hill
via Gwela. If don't get killed I vii
write to you more fully later on.
I would not advise anyone to com
here, but l think you would do well j
you came. People take things muc
easier here than in the States The
take great many holidays here-man
more than in England. The princips
stores are closed on Saturday Afternoon
and mechanics only work hours pc
day.
I have no time to write more now
as have lot to do, preparatory t
leaving. I am in excellent health
which is saying a good deal in tn
country. Yours truly,
L -1Ohu 1orvio