The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-12-04
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT
O Baron Won Nor5ecks nl-Fat0d
Expedition
TO LIONS HEAD, 6UADALCaAaR ISLAND.
Ten of the Party Killed, Including the
Baron and Midshipman d. Beau
fort, by the Cannibal Bush
men of the Island.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. S.-The official
account of Baron Won Norbecl<'s ex.
/ petition to the Lions Head, Guadai-
canar island, solomon group, has been
received here. The expedition, con-
sisting of 30 persons, left the ship Au-
! gust &. 1t consisted of Baron +. Won
Norbeck, Midshipman Armand de
Beaufort, Midshipman Max Risen, Eve
petty officers, l6 sailors, two servants
and four native guides, all under com
mand of Lieut.. Frank Budik. After
starting 1t was considered advisa Die
to send ten men back. 1t was the
intention to march over the Coastal
plains, reach the mountains and ex.
| plore Lions Head and the extinct vol.
cano. After ten hours hard marching
eight men and Midshipman Rosen re.
turned to the ship. Won Norbeck's
party divided, eight sailors and three
native guides remaining in camp un-
der command of Midshipman Beaufort.
The remainder started at 7:a0 o'clock
on the morning OF August 3. Budik
and Won Norbeck led the way toward
the mountain. At intervals along
the trail fresh bushmen appeared
and followed the party. After
three-quarters of an hour of hard
climbing a halt was called When the
party got under way again two shots
were fired some distance 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 tomahawks, and began a
fierce attack on the explorers. Two
natives sprang at Budik and tried to
beat his brains out, but Budik shot
| them both dead. Petty Officer Nj aras and
Seaman Lovrid were separated from the
rest OF the party, and though both were
severely wounded by spear thrusts
and knife cuts, they managed to hold
their own against their assailants. As
soon as Budik fired the bushmen fed,
but during the short slxirmish the
baron had been attacked and had fallen
seriously wounded. Maras had re-
ceived fatal wound. Won Norbecls
was found leaning against rock,
bleeding profusely from wound in
the neck. While the natives were re-
treating all the sailors kept up a rapid
lire on them. About 20 bushmen
were laid low. The baron had
received a deep cut in the
neck and a dislocation of the right
shoulder. Petty Officer Maras was cut
across the forehead by totnahawlx
and his skull fractured. Sailor Lovric
and an attendant were seriously
wounded. The wounded were placed
on stretchers and start made for
Beaufort's camp. Arriving at the
camp startling state of affairs was
discovered. Beaufort, a native guide
and one sailor were dead and four
mariners were wounded. The place
had been taken completely by surprise
The wounded and those who were
fortunate enough to escape unhurt,
had scarcely time to seize their weap-
ons and defend themselves Beaufort
was Drained while reaching for his
pistol. The sailors seized their rifles
and opened fire. Several cannibals
fell. but the savages made another
rush and laid out two more men and
wounded several others. Several
rapid volleys were fired into the ma
tives and they retreated to the brush
AT 1920 a. M, soon after reaching
camp. Baron YOU Norbeck died As it
was impossible to fetch the body to
the coast then, it was buried under q
tree.
The other dead were also hidden
beneath some rock piles. At IL a. M
the party hurried away, leaving all
camp material behind, and after a
march of six hours and half reached
4 H.
expeditions to recover the bodies were
organized, but the attempt was not
made. 1t was discovered that ten of
the exploring party, including four
native guides, had been slaughtered
and IL wounded. About forty savages
were killed.