The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-29

EIetcTIa. Marcn ZS.-Generdl JouDeri
died last night at 1880 O'Clock. He had
been suffering from a stomach COM
plant. The town is plunged into
mourning for the true patriot, gallant
general and upright and honorable
gentleman
General Pietrus Jacobus Joubert,
commandant general of the Transvaal
forces better known as Pet Joubert
or Slim Peter. was born about sixty
eight years ago. He was descended
from an old French Huguenot family.
which settled in South Africa many
years ago. He was born in Cape Col
Ony. but was taken by his parents when
Z years old 10 the Orange Free State,
where he was taught from early child
hood to shoot straight and hate the
British. He is described as having been
utterly fearless.
Of schooling he had but little. and
he never saw a newspaper until he was
Is years old In spite of this his anbi-
ton prompted him TO read the few
books he could obtain, and he succeed
ed in obtaining a fair knowledge Of his
tory and languages.
In consequence of the acquisition Of
Natal by the British, his family moved
from Natal and settled in the Trans
vaal. Soon afterward he became a
burgher Of the South African republic
and a daring fighter.
Was a Great Leader.
It was claimed in his behalf that he
could lead q body Of men more success
fully against hostile natives than any
other man in the Transvaal. He came
70 be so feared 10y the natives that the
IA rc 81
punitive expedition usually resulted
in their surrender.
1t was during these wars with the
natives that Joubert became acquainted
with Paul Kruger, and the two men
became bosom friends. He was elected
vice president Of the TranSYaal in 1896
defeated Sir George Colley at Majuba
hill in 1881. and acted as president OF
the republic in 1SSS-S4, during Krugers
absence in Europe.
General Joubert was always in favor
Of the use Of force instead of diplomacy,
and President Kruger on several coca
sfOns had great difficulty in depressing
his hot-headed colleague, notably IN 1919,
EEheD Joubert. with Kruger, and Pretor-
-aJs.s. y ass Plan 1..1. t-e 55elI1oT % over
throw British rule IN the Transvaal.
The result was Naiuba hill and the
practical independence OF the Trans
vaal.
Organized Boer Army.
1t was Joubert VINO organized the
army Of the South African Republic
later on, dividing the country into sew
enteen military departments. and each
Of these departments into smaller di-
visions. with commentaries, field cor
nets and heutenants Of various ranks
in charge.
According to the generals plans.
every man became a trained soldier
without leaving his farm, md had his
equipment ready at hand. To such q
point of perfection was the system car
rled that within fOrty-eight hours after
the present war was declared the BoeP
nation was under arms
1t was also due TO General JOubert
that the South African republics sue
ceeded in amassing the immense stores
of war munitions and provisions which
have stood them in such good stead
during the conflict now in progress.
When the Jameson raiders were lock
ed UP in Pretoria jail, JoUbert was
strongly in favor Of their immediate
execution. 1t was not until JOubert
and Kruger had been closeted together
for whole night that the more merci-
full courssl6 Of Kruger prevailed. In
spite Of these characteristics, JOubert.
on some occasions, showed considerable
regard for the usages Of civilization
When the Beers raided the British ter
ritory of Bechuanaland in 1884. Joubert
was probably the only prominent Boer
who refused to support the movement,
and his opposition resulted in the with
drawal Of the Beers from the territory
seized. as he threatened to resign IN
less he had his way, saying:
Would Keep Covenants.
ct positively refuse to hold Office IN
der a government that deliberately
breaks it's covenants, and we have
made covenants with England
In November last it was reported
that General Joubert had been killed in
action, and later reports said he was
dangerously wounded, and had 10 use
a cart in order to follow the operations
in the field.
The circumstances Of the death Of
General JOubeTt are not given in the
dispatch, which recalls the fact that
William Cox, a newspaper correspond
ent who was recently released from i'm
prisonment at Pretoria, and who has
arrived at Durham, said General Jou-
bert was apparently suspected Of half
heartedness. and that his life would be
in danger at the hands Of the burghers
if Pretoria was besieged.