Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-10-20

OF Delagoa pay, says: "A cyc1St dis
patch was received from Ottoshoep,near
Malmani, at six this evening, asserting
that heavy fighting had been in prog
ress all day long north of Mafeking.
The British troops on board an ar
mored train acted as covering force
to military engineers engaged in re-
pairing the track. A maxim on the
train kept up continuous fire. Con-
spicuous bravery was displayed on
both sides; but it soon became ap-
parent that the rifles of the burghers
were ineffective against an armored
train. The latter, however, was once
forced to retreat before particularly
strong assault; but it soon returned,
accompanied by British mounted con-
tingent, and the fighting was renewed
fercely. Fighting still continues, the
Beers holding their positions well. A
dozen Beers were killed or wounded,
but the British casualties cannot be as
certained. Heavy fighting can be heard
south Of Mafeking, where Gen. Cronje's
commando is operating"
A big engagement is expected short
ly in the vicinity of Ladysmith, The
forces of Commandant Pet Vys are en-
camped on q mountain overlooking
Dundee, from which point they will be
able to observe the movements of the
British troops.
Boers KILLED by Armored Train.
Kimberley, Oct. is. An armored
train, while accommodating near Spyt-
fontein, engaged the Beers, killing five
and wounding seven.
The British had no losses.
London, Oct. 1s.-The skirmish near
spytfontein, says a special dispatch
from Cape Town, was quite lively. The
armored train, with detachment of
the Lancashires, approached unmolest-
ed until within range, when the Beers
opened fire, The maxims were Instant
" set to work, and did great execution
among the burghers. The latter also
used artillery, but ineffectively. The
armored train returned to Kimberley
unframed.
The crew of the arInored train say
the Beers fred 10 shells, but their aim
was wretched, and not single shot
struck the train, which then made bold
to approach nearer, and opened fire
with the maxims. The burghers replied
with heavy rifles, again shooting wild
~, Only three or four bullets struck
the train, Subsequently the crew
learned that five Boers and two Boer
horses were killed, while several Beers
| and horses were wounded. Not mem.
Der of the British force was SO much as
scratched.
The News at London.
London, Oct. 1s.-Belated dispatches
from the scene of action in South AT
RIGA throw little fresh light upon the
situation. The Beers appear to be
strengthening their position in Natal,
and biding their own time for attack.
The Orange Free State burghers are ap-
parently threatening to invade Cape
Colony, by way of Noryal Pont, and
Aliwal North, both of which are at their
mercy, if they possess artillery.
So far as is known the only British
force stationed at Aliwal North is de-
tachment of the royal Berkshire regi-
ment.
The days news from the western Dor
der probably reduces the alleged heavy
fighting at Mafeking to ordinary pro-
portions. Apparently the earlier SEN
sational story originated in the sl<ir-
mishes between the armored train and
small detachments of Beers, although
since then much may haye happened to