Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-31
SEVENTY MISSIONARIES
From China Reach Vancouver Narrow Es
capss from Death in Escape.

| Vancouver. u. c.. Aug. 30.-Seven
missionaries from China returned, yes
terday, by the Empress of China Many
had wonderful escapes. Circumstances
saved the lives of many. After the
trouble had come to Il head, Rev. j.
NJ. MenZies with his wife and family
were on their way to the coast for a
brief rest. They started from their sta
ton in Honan and We're not aware of
any trouble when they left. IN COM
pany with them We're DR.. Mcclure and
DR.. (Mrs) Wallis. ALSO going to the
coast. The members Of the party at
tribute their escape entirely to the eff
forts of John Fowler American consul
at che Foo
We We're four days late in starting"
DIR. MenZies said. and those four days
We're, | believe, the saving of our lives
Had We started AT the time we origin
ally intended. We should have been in
the heart of the Boxers infested dis
triCt. from which there would have
been no escape. As it was we had
reached Paung Chuang and at that
place was a message from Mir Fowler
warning that all traffic on the river was
extremely dangerous ana that any mis-
Sion2rieS in the interior should hurry
at once to places of safety. Had We
gone on few miles further we would
have been shot by the Boxers. who were
watching on both sides OF the river and
let no boat pass.
with an escort Of soldiers we were
enabled to safely reach small port on
the coast. Yang Hiakon. And there it
was that the services Of Mr. Fowler
proved 50 helpful to our party. Mr.
Fowler, at his own personal expense.
chartered two japanese steamers which
made six trips ana besides sent 4 war
ship which made one trip. Christian
workers from the interior had been
gathering at this out-of- the-way port
until there We're . all told Of mission
aries alone"
Rev. Mr. Mckenzie Of all the minis
ters on board had the most exciting ex-
perience. He was with the party COM
posed Of Rev. MeSsrs Goforth. Leslie
and Grifliths, all Of whom We're wound
ed. Mr.. Goforth somewhat seriously.
They We're in station. not far distant
from that of Dr. Menzies. and to whom
the doctor sent Consul Fowler's mes
sage from Paung Chaung.
" men We received the ulSpatcn,
said Mr.. Mckenzie. I'VE constantly
made all haste to depart The letter
warned us not to 20 north by the route
followed by DR.. Menzes 50 we formed
party and started southwark We
had 10 carts in all with Chinese escort
and 24days-trip ahead Of US. ere W.
could reach HankOW. All went well I'M
iii the 18th day out All along crowds
jecred us and called US names, but ala
not attempt personal violence on the
18th day We met an organized body Of
Boxers who made a deliberate attack.
Mr.. GOGoTth received Il severe sword cut
across the back of the neck. besides
being wounded in several other places:
an Infatuated fanatic made a lunge at
Mrs. Goforth with a sword. but she
shielded herself with a pillow. Two Of
our escort We're killed ana five If our
animals shot. Mrs. Leslie was wound
"a badly in the wrist ana knee Mr..
Griffiths was injured III almost every
part Of his body. | myself was wound
ed in tn head, leg and hand. The wo-
men and children were not wounded in
the attack but on the trip the 6-year-old
son of Mr.. Mckenzie contracted diph
liberia. His mother while nursing him
in the hospital also caught the disease.
Both have now recovered. The rest Of
the party, Messrs. Goforth. Leslie ana
Grifiiths came out by way Of San Fran
cisco.