Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-23

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Aa~<ss' of June, and
thence onward for many terrible days
almost every hour brought tragic It'd
ings. Prospectors, miners and trav-
elers, unsuspicious of danger, were
being slaughtered in all directions.
Stores and lonely houses were be-
seiged, looted and burned, after the
owners were slain.
Judge Vincent, the Chartered Com
pany's active administrator, could
only muster $50 burghers armed with
but eighty rifles and one Maxim be-
tween them, to protect the 800 womSh
and children in Salisbury.
Mr.. Dan Judson, chief inspector of
the Chartered Company's Telegraphs,
and then recently gazetted captain
in the Rhodesia Horse, was one OF the
few men who had prophesied that the
Mashoaas would rebel. Though a
young man, he was an old pioneer,
had taken part in two campaigns, and
knew the country we'll.
Having friends at the Mazoe-a
small settlement centering round the
Alice Mine at the head of the Mazoe
Valley, about twenty-seven miles from
| Salisbury-Judson wired to Mr.. Salt
house, manager OF the Goldfelds OF
Mazoe Company, the news of the
murders as it came in.
When, however, early on Wednes-
day, the 18th Of June, the inspector
had occasion to wire the Mazoe peo-
pie the terrible list of murders end
ing with the blood-curdling Norton
massacre, he suggested that their
women folk, at least, had better
come into Salisbury, where a strong
laager was being constructed.
Consequently at midnight wagon,
or large wagonette, and six mules left
the telegraph office in charge of Mr..
J. o. Blekiston, Captain Judson's
clerk, and Trooper Zimmerman of the
Rhodesia Horse.
At nine the next morning (Thurs-
day, the 1Sth) telegram was received
from Blakiston announcing his safe
arrival, that he had met nothing on
the road, and was ready to leave with
the women as soon as they had break
tasted.
Judson then-by wire, of course
ordered the Mazoe telegraph office to
be closed, after first instructing
Blakiston, Salthouse, and the men
with them to start off at once with the
ladies. The inspector passed the next
few hours feyerishly anticipating their
arrival,
On going into the Office later on. he
| ostnniehal 1,al,a.,,,,e.
have been deserted since morning-to
hear the Mazoe instrument clicking.
1t ceased as he entered, and Lieuten-
ant Harrison, then in charge of the
Salisbury Telegraph, silently handed
him this message:
"Blakiston to Inspector Judson.
Three men killed. Alice Mine sur
rounded. Send help at once. Our
only chance. Goodbye" /"
The news from the Mazoe greatly
distressed Judge Vincent, for he was
now being harassed on all sides with
the most piteous appeals for assist
ance, which, for the most part, he was
unable to grant. Now, when Judson
asked him if nothing could be done to
assist the Mazoe people, he said he
was afraid no men could be spared.
After some talk, however, the inspec-
tor was granted permission to take
four men, and these he chose from the
members of the Rhodesia Horse.
just before sunset, the little patrol
of one officer and four men rode out
of the town on its forlorn errand.
The party consisted of Captain Judson
and Troopers Honey, Guyon, Godfrey
King and Hendriks; but three miles
out it was joined by Captain Stamford
Brown, who was chief paymaster of
the Rhodesia Horse, but not on its
ordinary fighting strength.
The patrol then pushed on, and near
the Gwebi River unearthed d native,
who, when challenged, fled precipi-
lately. With one brief halt to loosen
girths and allow horses and men a
hasty meal, the patrol rode on to
Mount Hampton, and again halted,
keeping a sharp lookout the while.
Here, at half-past three in the morn
ing, they were joined by reinforce
ment from Salisbury, consisting of
Troopers Finch, Pollett, Niebuhr,
Coward, Mulyaney and King.
Before starting, Judson addressed
his comrades, pointing out that they
were about to enter what might prove
veritable death trap, and that there
must be no thought of turning back
after they had once started. Not a
man of them, however, shrank from
the mission; and descending the rise
on which the farm stands, they crossed
the Tatagora River and proceeded in
single file, Judson leading, with Cap
tain Brown o close second.
After covering half mile or more,
they entered stretch OF tall, dense
grass, in length about 800 yards,
terminating in perfect jungle. 1t
was an ideal spot for an ambuscade,
and turning in his saddle, Judson
gave the abrupt order, "GallopW
Still going in single file they tore
along, the only sound being the thun-
der of the hoofs of the horses.
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