Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-22

diers Sent to Settle the Affair.
London. January 21-The Evening
News publishes this afternoon a des-
patch from Lagos, capitol Of the Brit
ish West African colony of that name,
giving details of the massacre Of the
British expedition, under Consul Gen
eral J. R. Phillips by the inhabitants
of Benin City early during the present
month.
The party consisted of Consul Gen
eral Phillips. Major F. w. G. Copeland
Crawford deputy commissioner and
vice consul in the Niger coast protec-
torate and adjoining native territories;
Captain A. NJ Boisragon, command
ant of the Niger coast protectorate for
ces: Captain Mailing, OF the Sixteenth
Lancers. an officer of the Niger coast
protectorate force; Mr. r. f. Locke, Of
the consular staff; Mr.. H. c. Camp
bell. of the consular staff; DR.. r. II.
Elliott, medical officer, and Messrs.
Powis and Gordon. civilians
The party was unarmed and was pro-
ceeding to Benin City in order to make
a request for a palavar, or conference
with King Obbah, in regard to ncreas-
ing the trading facilities with that part
of Africa, the king having previously
consented that the expedition should
visit his capitol.
The nine officers went unarmed IN
order to impress the king with the
peaceful character of their mission and
over 200 native carriers were taken
with the party to propel the canoes and
carry presents intended for the king.
After proceeding up the river the eX-
pedition landed at a spot about fifteen
miles from Benin City and the carriers
were sent ahead through the dense
Jungle. the officers following.
Five miles from Benin City the Off
GERS suddenly came upon narrow de-
file which was filed with the decd car
riers who were fearfully mutilated.
Almost Immediately afterwards the
officers and their servants were sur
| rounded and attacked by hundreds Of
savages armed with guns. cutlasses.
| spears and clubs and in few minutes
all the members Of the party, except
ing Boisragon and Locke were killed.
CAPTAIN Boisragon and his Compan-
ion. after wandering in the bush for
a week. succeeded in reaching New
Benin wounded and exhausted. bring
ing the first authentic news of the mas
sacre although seven lToomen OF the
carrier party also succeeded in escap-
ing and were the first to bear the re-
ports of the disaster.
The British warships Phoebe. W.dge-
on. Alecto. Barossa. Theseus and Forte
have already been despatched to the
entrance of the river Benin. British
officers left Liverpool for the same
coast Saturday and munitions of war
will follow on Saturday next
A despatch received here from Brass
Guiena coast. late tonight. gives fur
tber particulars of the massacre OF
Consul Phillips party It says that
the expedition left Sapele on January
ID wholly unarmed and bearing all
kinds of presents for the king of Be
min. 1t was divided into two parties.
The first party was about four hours
march ahead when it was surprised by
host of ambushed Benin warriors ana
cut TO pieces. not a man escaping.
The second party, sUspecung holh-
ing suddenly came upon the plled corp
ses of the vanguard and while they
we're examining the scene or carnage
they were attacked and shot down from
the bush
Out Of 30 carriers with ConSu' = IH''''lS
expedition only one escaped ana brought
the news TO the coast. a rehei sent uo
the river i'm a canoe found 'oisraE2n ana
Locke. who had been mchs I'D lne "uS'
for five days, living an p''"'''l"S anu
drinking dew ,-.o, 49,.
Six men OF war are mo-" ~ '..7 o'. wv.
Niger coast pro'e''o. ''. ''.'' ~ ..,.,.,
lnassihE "1 l'' ,''' 80. ,1''' W, 1,5i,
to Sierra Leone TO le'cn ''' " 'S' ''''''''
troops
A later telegram III ron. - ~. 80
tonight gives sun lul '',,' IT.,
lhe massacre Vi '''1
Benin ON lhe NIEe'' ...,
Inc eNPeu' ''o''' ~ - - -
ih lIlenulE WY "' G
us course anu '' -
sases rom lne Mus Ell
ING hv''i ''''' - ,,,,,t
upon from al! ..I 1,,,,,l,,,.
ana rear. Ac.-H7 No,'S, III
H. ~ '' -. - w con1ar,-
ON the spot Ni"JoI - % ~.
I crawford was ~oU.,"''. III, hin,
ragon ana Mr' H. f. Lo,N' .,..,t
off. but he was Wouhoeo 1E"'', -.
he died IN Few minutes, '.'1' .'..t,.