The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-10-20
DEATH TO
THE BOERS
Fifteen Hundred Reported Killed
by Lyddite Explosions,
WERE ATTACKING MAFEKIEG

And Were Lured over the Mines For
the Defense Of the Town-Boors Cnp-
ture Train Carrying British on
cers-Nry burg surrendered to Beers.
London, oct. 2O-The Daily News
Cape Town correspondent telegraphs
1t is rumored that news has reached
De AJAX Junction that the Beers at
tackled Mafeking In force, but were
repulsed. The defenders seeing the
enemy retreatinR. pursued them foi
some distance. Then a feiut was made
and they commenced to retire on the
town. allowing themselves TO be driven
IN by the Beers, VINO. eager to re-
trieve their position, again advanced
to the attack and were drawn ovei
Lyddite mines laid for the defense of
the town. It is reported that I 500
Beers were killed by the explosions.
1t is reported from Delagoa bay that
the Swat King Bunu is collecting his
forces with the object, presumably, OF
attacking the Beers. 1t is stated that
the Portuguese forces at DelagOa bay
will be raised to war strength.
IL is announced from Pretoria that
en- eccentric person known as Baron
l|tA lll0ItlE p has UtNu NDulA mar ildlf't4
and shot as a spy. Plans Of the local
forts were found in his possession.
The Pietermaritzburg correspondent
Of The Daily Mail, in a dispatch dated
Thursday says:
The brunt of the fighting at Besters
Station yesterday was sustained by the
volunteer patrols. The fighting was
brisk. The Beers numbered 1000. The
volunteers at one moment were in
great peril being nearly cut OF, but the
officers handled their men splendidly.
and the MaXims effectively stopped the
Boer rushes. The Boer shooting was
vretched. The volunteers lost their
kit and altogether the experience was
a pretty trying one. Our men were in
the saddle three days and two nights
with hardly rest. Basuto natives were
fighting with the Beers. 1t is reported
that l6 Beers were killed.
The Ladvsmith correspondent of The
Daily Telegraph, under date of Oct. /.
says:
The Beers captured a train which
left Ladysmith at 1870, near Eland-
slaagto. II contained several officer
and a few men, besides civilians, all
going to Glencoe or Dundee. For
tunately the 1890 up train. which
contained one of your correspondents,
got through The enemy cut the
wires, seyering communication with
Glencoe. The news was first received
from the station master at Eland-
slaagto who wired: q see Beers near
the line. What shall / do?' Lady
smith answered: Let the train run
ahead full speed" 1t did so, making
for the north of Elandslaagto. The
official said The Beers are mus
tering and firing to stop the train.
They have stopped it. What shall
do, must | gO?" Yes, GO was the
reply Thereupon the messages ceased,
and since the line has been blocked
Probably the station master escaped.
The Cape Town correspondent of The
Daily Mail, telegraphing at 10 o'clock
last night says Vryburg surrendered
Sunday. Tonights dispatches from
Kuruman, 80 miles west by south Of
Vryburg, state that the police having
withdrawn from Vryburg the town
surrendered to the Boerss the inhabi-
tants fleeing in all directions, mostly
toward Kuruman. When the police
withdrew the Cape Beers notified the
fact to the enemy, thus inviting them
TO take possession. There was fear
full panic The British are wildly in
dignant at this sCuttling,
The Beers suffered a reverse on Sun
day at Spruitfonten, ten miles south of
Kimberley. An armored train went
out to bring a train reported to have
been captured by the Beers near the
Spruitfonten siding. party OF Beers
who were encamped near by lowered
the railway signal and displayed a
white flag, apparently with the idea
of inducing the train to proceed. The
driver suspected that the Beers were
in possession, and stopped the train
whereupon the Beers issued in large
force and opened fire, but without
any effect. The soldiers replied from
the train and about half a dozen Beers
were killed
Seven hundred Beers surprised a
party of 13 Cape Colony police who
were guarding the railway at Riverton
Road, Is miles north of Kimberley, on
Sunday morning. The police retired
A terrific explosion was heard later.
and it is believed that the Beers blew
up the station.
A relief party of 25 police sent from
Kimberley met the Beers near River
AbAAs AAN NAAAllAAg AlobAdg GU a W 4lNt
flag to induce the troops to fall into
their trap, but the police we're ordered
to retire. Then the Beers opened a
heavy fire on them, discharging about
400 rounds. A bullet struck the horse
of Surgeon Major Sullivan, who. with
a trooper whose horse had stumbled
and dismounted him, was captured.
The war office last evening issued
the following bulletin: No news of
Importance has been received from
Natal today. The cavalry attached
to our forces at Ladysmith and Dundee
are engaged in observing the enemy's
movements. Steps have been taken
| to secure Pietermaritzburg and Dur
ban against the raids on the western
| frontier There is no recent reliable
| intelligence from Kimberley or Mafe-
king, both places being cut off from
| rail~'ay and telegraphic commuRica-
| tio II Is believed, however, that a
| slirmish took place on Sunday six
M ag south of Kimberley, and thar
| the Beers were beaten OF, with some
loss by an armored train. There was
some fighting at Mafeking on Fri
| day or Saturday, ending with a repulse
! of the attacking force Railway com