Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-05-24
NAF[K|NG FREE At LAST.
Information That the Long Siege
Has Been Abandoned Is Re-
ceived in London.
BOER FORCES RETIRE UNDER HEAVY FIRE
Retention Of the News in London Oc-
cnsiOn. Scenes of Widest En- thusi-
nsm-Grent Crowds Fill the Air
with Chcers-FOrces Under Gen.
Butler Occupy Newcastle.

| USm-hreut SfONSUS Fiji tne AIT
with Chcers-Forces Under Gen.
Butler Occupy Newcastle.
Pretoria. May lot was officially
announced Friday that when the
laagers and forts around Mafeking
had been severely bombarded the
siege was abandoned, British force
from The south taking possession OF
the place.
1t is reported that 5000 British
troops have surrounded Christiania.
and the landrost and other officials
have been taken prisoners.
Under u Heavy Fire.
London. May 1o.-From the men
tion of the ]aagers in the Pretoria
dispatch it is understood here that
prior TO the raising of the siege o:
Mafeling the Boer laagers around
that place were vigorously bombardeG
by the British relief column. and that
the bnrghcrs were practically COM
PEELED to abandon the siege.
JOY in London.
London. May l9.-The dispatch an
nouncing the relief of Mafeking was
posted outside the mansion house and
the news rapidly spread. \ large
crowd collected and at this hour all
the streets in the neighborhood are al
ready resounding with cheers. At 9:40
Lord Mayor \. J. Newton. in his
official robes of office. announced the
! joyful news to the crowd out side. The
masses of people outside the mansion
house soon grew to such dimensions
that the police We're compelled to
divert all traffic. omnibuses, etc.
through the side streets. The cheer
ing was incessant.
Buildings Illuminated.
Midnight-The scenes in the streets
of mercantile London usually quite
deserted at this hour, are almost in
describa BILE Bands, banners and flags
appear to have sprung suddenly from
the earth. Every other vehicle is dec
grated with flags. Brass bands are
parading and leading crowds who
Sing songs. Colored fire is being
burned in every direction. Along
Fleet street. the Strand and Pail Mall
| viz IIDlIC are
and the whole Of the West end is
alive with enthusiasm. At the war
office immense crowds quickly gath
cred. for. although no doubt was
thrown on the accuracy of the news
there is the greatest anxiety felt to
get official confirmation from Lord
Roberts.
The dispatch announcing the relief
OF the town was sent to the queen at
Windsor castle. where Lord Salisbury
was dining with her majesty, and also
to the prince of Wales at Marlborough
house.
BY 1880 p, m. the news had spread
to all the suburbs of London, where
similar scenes of rejoicings occurred
Special editions of the newspapers
appeared and the tickers announced
the news in all the public resorts. In
the West end leading thoroughfares
were eventually impedcd by a CON
slant stream of the populace cheer
ing themselves hoarse and singing
God Save the Queen" and SOLDIERS
of the Queen The enthusiasm as
this dispatch is sent already promises
to outrival even the scenes which fol-
lowed the relief Of Ladysmith.
\ reporter inquired at the foreign
office and the resident clerks said
nothing had yet been received there
in confirmation of the news from Pre-
toria of the relief of Mafeking
In unrestrained publications the PROV
inces We're not behind the metropolis.
Although London had the start by a
few minutes the great industrial and
surrounding towns soon burst into pat
riotic demonstrations. Bells clashed in
their steeples, village bands turned
out and people gathered in the squares
to chant fervdly God Save the
Queen" From all parts of the empire
comes the same story. Bombay.
Hong Kong. Columbia and the Aus
tralian cities are rejoicing.
Butler Occupie. Newcastle.
London, May l9.-Gen. Butler, in a
dispatch TO the war office. dated New.
castle, May is. says:
Newcastle was occupied last night. and
to-day the whole Second division and the
Third cavalry brigade will be concern
trated there. I have sent the mounted
force through NQutu to eXpel small force
of the enemy and to reassure the natives.
The enemy have burned the chapel. broken
much glass. plundered many houses and
taken cash from the banks. but other
wise they have not done much harm. The
railway Is badly damaged: the lngagane
and Nkader bridges are destroyed are
many culverts and the pumping station and
waterworks. OF the 1000 men flying be-
fore us about 1000 seem to have gone to
Wakkerstroom and some by Milers pass
to the Free State. The remainder. who are
described as disorga nized rabble. have gone
north and say they intend to make stand
at Lang's Mex
Two Men Killed.