The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-10
KHARTUM WILL RISE AGAIN.
hhaltfa Left 1t in Ruins, but Some
Day 1t May Rank Next to Cairo.
Frederick Villiers, in New York Herald.

Frederick Villiers, in New York Herald
1t is quite little journey from Omdur-
man 70 khartum, for one has to steam
against a strong current-the full force of
the main rush of the Blue Nile, which ed
dies round Tut iSland-which is further
south than the map locates it. On APP
preaching Khartum one is entranced with
the oasis-like appearance of the place. 1t
stands out of the waters Of the Blue and
White Nile like clump of bright foliage in
a wilderness. Steaming close into the spit
or land which divides the two rivers, the
ruins of the Dervish fort which Keppel had
reduced on Aug. 81 stood out down by the
shore. Near it crowds of men and women
came to greet us, the softer sex uttering the
peculiar cry which betokens grief or joy. 1t
was certainly the latter emotion to which
they gave vent to-day, for their pinched
races ana emaciated forms did not give evil
dence of happier condition of things under
the khalifa's rule. Many of them ahead
OF the boats to spread the news of our ar
rival The tall greenery along the banks
Deckoned US to shady retreats, as palm
trees, rose bushes, lemon and lime groves
met our gaze. soon. stark and black, up
ruins of the government offices; and facing
the river stood Gordon'S palace even now
stately ruin Of red brick and white plaster,
surrounded with luXuriant growth of
acaclas, lemon trees and palms.
or all the Sudan, without exception,
Khartum Is the only place that one would
like the phoenix. "she will arise from her
ashes" and eventually become, next to
Cairo, the finest city of the great African
highway. The palace and government build
ingS could easily be regretted on the old
foundations, which are little damaged and
many other residences are in like condition.
only the upper portions of the palace are
wrecked; but mostly the rooms and offices
below can be easily traced. Gordons study
for instance, with the three tall windows.
IN the left wing facing the river is almost
intact, but for the want of a roof. The
windows are carefully filled in with burnt
brick. according to Gordons orders in the
dove hon fIan
state of defense. The stucco of the walls
is in q wonderful state of preservation and
upon them some Dervish caricaturist has
been drawing in black pigment crude pre-
sentiments of Il Baggara horse, steamboats,
and gallows. Outside this room, among the
debris of the palace roof, can be traced the
sockets in the wall for the steps of the stair
way which led to the roof. and the flight of
stairs on the landing of which Gordon stood
on the fatal morning of Monday, Jan. 26,
when his last words were uttered to the
fanatic who first gained the stairway
Lead me to your master.
This entrance to the palace overlooks the
courtyard, within which is a round pond.
From it's center fountain played in the
old days, and beyond was the lovely gar
den. still beautiful with lime, banana, palm
but little by the ruthless hand of the
Khalifa's followers. Dates were hanging
golden nd or ee qSters o ana th ms
ing from the same trees that Gordon looked
at and watched, in his days, for the COM
Ing OF the fruit. Birds were singing and
doves were cooling in the cool shadows of
the leaves; all was peace and happiness,
as if under the influence of Tie gentle spirit
of him whom we had come to honor.
Officers and men reverently pressed for
ward to gaze upon the historic ruins, and
to pick up some memento of the visit. A
few found remnants of shell or bullet;
others passed through the gardens and
plucked leaves from rose or banana bush.
We were two hours wandering about the
interesting ruins of the once famous center
of commerce and khedivial government
the metropolis of the Sudan-and it was
indeed very difficult to imagine that it was
ever a busy. flourishing capital, with no
less than 100000 inhabitants, so deserted
and forlorn did it appear now. AS the boats
steamed back to Omdurman night was set
ting over the river. Gordon's palace was all
aglow in rosy sunlight, with, for the first
time in it's history. the British and khedivial
flags f1uttering side by side on its roof. 1t
was some twelve years ago that the Derv-
ishes were ordered by the Khalifa to wreck
the place and return to Omdurman. Since
then it has been a veritable city of the dead,
a huge mausoleum to the memory of Cor
don.
The flush of the sun on it's ruined walls
that evening seemed to be the first blush
of renewed life to Khartum. Before an
other decade has passed by the historic
spot will probably become a great junction
on the iron route to Cape Town, where the
Central Africa express will connect east
and west for Kordofan, while the passen-
gers regale themselves for five and twenty
minutes at the station buffet.