The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-11
MURDER OF Won KETTELER.
HOW HIS DEATH PREVENTED GEN.
ERAL MASSACRE IN PICKING.
The ACKNOWLEDGMENT Special Corr
respondent Tells of Attack ON
German Minfster as . Result OF
Which March Was Abandoned.

tier was probably the most unhappy per-
son OF all that endured the trials and
hardships OF the siege of Picking. Ger
tafniy she was the one most sympathized
with. Wives whose husbands were shot
down by the enemy. mothers who
watched their babies die for lack OF
good air and nutritious food. with hearts
broken by their own grief. throbbed with
sorrow for the woman whose husbands
lie was offered a vicarious sacrifice for
all the foreigners in Peking
There are those who will contest this
statement. There are diplomats who en-
phaticaiiy deny II. but the fact remains
that the great body OF foreigners in
Peking never questioned but that Baron
Won ketfler's death was the final saliva
ton of all.
On June 10. at .. m, the tsung II
yamen Informed the foreign ministers by
letter that they would be expected to
leave Picking within twenty-four hours
under protection OF Chinese soldiers.
Baron Won Kettler was the only minister
who did not think this request an EVIL
dence of Chinese enlightment and I'M
Outstanding of international courtesy. The
French minister. Sir Claude Macdonald
and Minister Conger were all In favor OF
going, but Baron Won Kettier. more sus-
pfcious OF Chinese treachery and diplo-
macy, saw massacre for all outside the
city gates. In a country swarming with
red-handed Boxers and uncertain SOL
diery.
He remarked at dinner that night: II
may be nervous or overworked or some
thing. but am apprehensive of evil IL
Death of the Baron,
The following morning, the Goth. he
arose. determined to enter a protest to
the tsnng j yamen. A brave man al
ways, he started on his errand accom-
panied only by hts interpreter, Mr..
Cordes. They rode in the sedan chairs
used by all ministers when calling upon
Chinese officials.
he bade his wife to whom he was most
devotedly attached. first and then
second farewell. saying as he did so:
may be sure that am succeeding and
that the officials are listening to me-
But the baron did not reach the yamen.
for when only two-thirds OF the way there
he was shot down by the imperial Chi
nese troops who were to form the prom
ised escort to Tienfsin.
Nevertheiess he ran forward. looked into
Baron Won Ketteler's chair ana saw that
he was quite dead. CHASTITY bullet wound
In his head.
He then turned. followed by a shower
OF bullets, and fled down a small side
street The people along the narrow
street refused TO reply TO his questions as
Methodist mission, which he knew was
somewhere In that neighborhood. Finally
he met an old bread peddier. who. not
daring TO stop In conversation with him,
as he sang in his street calls the direc-
ton In which he was to turn. Mr.. Cordes
turned north instead OF south. the old
c cs almost dead and given out.
turned south. ran a short distance and fell
fainting at the northeast barricade OF the
mission. where all the missionaries OF
Picking and Tungchou were gathered,
over seventy In number.
The brutal murder OF the German min
lister ran like wildfire over the entire
community. The missionaries were en-
dcavoring TO stifie their fears and pack
small trunks. as commanded by Minister
Conger for the afternoons start to Tien-
tsin They gathered few things into the
smallest compass possible. Some took
steamer trunks. some handbags. Moth
ers took baby food. Capt Han, In charge
OF the United States marines sent by Min
lister Conger for defense ordered al to
march TO the American legation. the ma
tive Chinese refugees TO follow in the rear
March TO the Misston.
what a march out through their own
barbados thrown up by Mr.. Francis
Gamewell OF the Methodist missionl Mr.
Gameweii by his skin I'm fortifying. be-
came the great man OF the siege later
Down Hautameu street. almost TO the
great Hautameu gate. over whose second
nese soldiers. the long procession of men
women. children and babies, nurses. ser
wants and 600 native Christians moved
the roadside. No ono spoke. All felt the
intensity Of the situation. The hands that
fired on the German minister might ~
any moment IRE on the helpless mortals
moving before them.
rsut the American legation, a distance OF
half a mile. was reached In safety
Thence all removed 70 the British lega-
tion. and the afternoon OF June 20, at
D m. which was To have seen a train
of geo carts full OF half-armed men
helpless women and babies insnffeien'ly
guarded by 400 marines. found almost
every foreigner In Peking safe in the
British legation. the native Christians In
the palace ~ the fourth hereditary prince
across the way and guarded hy the brave
Japanese. The missionaries had been
throwing M intrenchments. digging
bitches. building walls and barb wire
fences ard making hoop soies for two
eelIent fort o. the Methodist Episcopal
mission property. but not ..ae foot 81 sod
had been turned up for defense IN any
legation Of the optimistic minisiers -Four
o'clock found foreigners snd native con-
vertS under command 81 Mr.. Game~eli
into whose hands SIR Claude Macdonald
gave the entire work % terrifying All
hands we're preparing 20 make stand
against the Imperial troops that had been
promised as tho safe escort to TENT ain.
FOR Wpon news OF Narou ven hettinr'e
murder the ministerial body stood aghast
az me thought % their cor semglased and
arrangea-far tourney and hurrie3,y or
aered al % The British legation foy a anai
stand
What Won keueisr's sseriaee Meant.
the world yet has heard Hstie o. This
but nraier and thanks ans public az
acknowledgement should not he Withheld
from Baton Won Kctfiers memory All
know nnws a. many dla whose hearts
failed them when he order Ia prepare
10 laave Pakiug was read. that certain
nassarres were only avcTted ay baron Won
NettIerss death Aiaa. that 81 took 80
much after months - iricsery ana inac-
fian on TIE pert - tAe Chinese officials
- ranViuce the body ~ ministers that "a
such 4 ertsis they celii nnf trust the
Chirese promises - protecito-
Ana 80 many Who Worr anknewn 20 her
rnaurnes w3lh she ynuRs baroness. ana
macy an eye Was niie,s with thars ~ sym
t4fhv whea after the troors for relief
garas. she was seen t21 slender stat
,,ess,tir. her fers drawn with suffering
rnavinE Ike 0Ee from whom TIRE sgiflf
"A 49, IL. -.