The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-21
THRILLING FLIGHT
TO THE COAST.
Rev. G. w. Swan Tells How
They Ran the Gauntlet, and
FINALLY REACHED THE SEA.
Travelling In China, In Constant Fear Of
Boxer Hordes- How One Party
Escaped without an
Encounter.

Rev. Charles w. Swan, missionary in
Quang Tung province, in China, near
Canton, is brother of Mr.. ]. L. Swan.
of Woodland avenue. this city. Rev.
Swan recently wrote his father, Rev.
j. N. Swan, Of Toronto, Ohio, q most
interesting letter describing his fight
from San Kong to the sea, when the
Boxer troubles began, and the letter
was in time forwarded to the brother
in this city. The letter Is dated at
Macao. July ~, and the thrilling story
1t tells follows:
II worked until midnight packing the
most valuable things. but we could not
bring a great many things. We had
two boats, a small one for the Chinese.
OF course they must bring all their
stun. The Edwardses and ourselves
brought the greater part Of our cloth
ing, bedding, table linen, silverware,
typewriter, camera, and some other
things such as a few dishes, cooking
utensils, etc. The only furniture on the
boat was our cots. All our libraries,
furniture and many things Of value are
still at Sam Kong, and we have little
hopes Of ever seeing them. We GER
tainly will not IL rebellion breaks out
in South China, as seems very likely.
In such q case 1t seems impossible
that the Michles and DR.. Chestnut can
escape. 1t seems more like awful reck-
lessness than heroism, but we will not
criticise, for we may not know all the
considerations that led them to decide
to remain there whatever may be their
fate. 1t would have been very hard to
close their hospital just at their busy
season.
1t was 10 p. m. Monday when we call
ed the boatmen. We slept only an
hour or SO that night. At a. m.
captain of a steam launch on the oppo-
site side Of the river, but he was towing
three boat loads of rice up the river for
Lien Chow, and, Of course, could not
be called. Tuesday morning we tried
to signal two other launches, but failed.
At 2 p. m. we reached Sam Shut, where
there are foreigners in the Customs.
We feared they were gone and steam
ers not running, but they were there
and we had consultation with them.
Az the steamers were overdue and It
was uncertain when they would arrive
and indeed whether they would arrive,
they advised US to proceed with all
haste for Canton in our native boat.
I'VE could not persuade the boatmen
to travel after dark for fear Of pirates.
so we anchored at little after dark
at a large city about 20 miles from
Canton. The next morning we started
at 3 a. M, an hour before dawn, and
it was almost amusing to see the boat
| men peering into the darkness for rob-
| bers. I sat on top of the boat with
revolver in hand, to scare any person
who might come near to steal. We
hailed the dawn with delight. but were
still anxious as to what the morning
! might bring US. We feared trouble
might have already broken out in Can
ton, and in such case 1t would be most
likely impossible to run the gauntlet,
but all would suffer the fate that num-
bers met in the north. 1t was reassur-
| ing to meet steam launches coming
from Capton In the forenoon"
Mr.. Swan and his party reached
| Macao in safety.