Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-29
Two Young Men, Former Washing
tonians, Victims Of Savages.
were SOLDIERS IN THE BELGIAN ARMY
Horrible State Of Affairs Reported
From Congo State.
OTHER WASHINGTON BOYS

A story Of cannibalism, In which two
young men, formerly of this city, were the
victims, supplemented by an account of
the way the Belgian government carries On
warfare against the tribes of the Congo
Free State. comes to light through the
medium of series of letters received from
Kabambarre Station. Stanley Falls district,
Congo Free State, by Mr.. Joe Harmon OF
1923 9th street northwest. Mr.. Harmon
has been in receipt of the information Tor
some time. but the letters did not convey
enough facts to warrant publication until
now.
1t appears that a party Of young men
fri m this city were induced by the repre-
sentatfves Of the Belgian government to
enlist in the Belgian army. then being
raised for the purpose Of subduing the war
like tribes in the Stanley Falls district.
Among these who enlisted were Edward
Thornton. who was then an officer in the
National Fencibles, and was employed IN
the Treasury Department: Lindsay g.
Burke, formerly employed in the War De-
partment; Tom Crowley, formerly mes
senger in the internal revenue bureau;
Frank Bachelor. Harry R. Andrews.
Barry Sparlin ard a man by the
name of Mellen, formerly non-commis-
stoned officer in the United States army,
all Of whom were members of the National
New York February 10, 1896, and sailed
from New York for Antwerp February II,
having been joined by some other Ameri-
can boys. among whom was Charles Ball.
Selfish and Cowardly.
The letter states that the Belgian COM
manders have shown every phase possible
of selfshness and ccwar,lica, and that they
use the Americans for every hazardous
undertaking, reserving the right to them
selves to sally forth on comparatively
easy mission where no danger attaches.
Lindsay g. Burke lost his life through
the fear Of the Belgian commander. SO the
letter states, who sent MIN out with a
small party CT men, aGout fifty in number.
to capture 800 of the diva rs. These peo-
pie are described as being the most fero-
cious in Africa, and although they them
selves deny tannl5alis.n, there are unnis-
taxable evidences that they Indulge &.
every opportunity in the horrid feasts
The men under Burke were. with the ex-
ception of five, one of whom was an Arab
native troops, who fight well when not cp-
posed to their brethren. Windeey, another
American who had joined the party in
New York, was sent in another direction,
on the same errand, with like number of
men.
Burke and his men Travelled for about
two weeks, when the party was ambushed
by the dwarfs. At the first fire his men
deserted him, leaving the four white men
by his side. The Arab had been sent to
the rear to kill game for the party and
witnessed the encounter from the top o.
tree, bringing back the story to the
Belgian commander. This officer, instead
of sending n relief expedition, hurriedly
gathered his forces together and retired.
Wtndeey arrived on the scene with his
men a few hours later, but the natives
had disappeared. The description CT the
scene furnished by the Arab is horrible
in all its details. Burke and his men were
killed while fighting like fiends. Their
bodies were then cut up and distributed
among the cannibals. the natives fighting
each other for larger shares in the dis
trtbution.