The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-30
AT MENELIK's CAPITAL.
Americans Who Are sojourning Il
AbYssinia.

Abyssinia-
(Correspondence of Associated Press)
London March 21.-The Associated
Press has received the following ac-
count of the expedition under James ].
Harrison and W. Fitzhugh Whitehouse,
of Newport, R. l., who, according to
latest telegraphic advices, have arrived
at Meneliks capital, and have started
into the far interior of Abyssinia. The
last news comes from Zuquata, on the
I1awash river, a point about 20 miles
southwest to Ads Abeba, and report
all WELL It is not expected that any
further intelligence will be had until
the party. after having reached and left
Lake Rudolf, about 500 miles further
southwest come out at a point on the
SObat river or the Nile near Fort Nassa,
an old fort south of Fashoda and about
800 miles from Khartoum. From this
point they would proceed by water to
the latter place. The distance from
Lake Rudolf to the Nile is about 800
miles, through a country largely unex-
plored, and the route extremely difficult
on account of natural obstacles and the
probable lack of both water and sup
plies, as the country has been so fire.
quently ravaged by native raiding
tribes. The party, which consists of j.
J. Harrison, W. F. Whitehouse, Powell
Cotton, and A. Butter, left Seilla on the
Red Sea early in November with a car
avan consisting of a large number of
natives, a portion of them well armed,
and about so canels- They were ac-
companied by a competent surveyor,
who has had IS years experience in
Africa and a taXidermist while the
head man, A. Somah. is the one who
recently Travelled with Captain Wellby
to Lake Rudolf. On leaving the coast
the party proceeded by an entirely new
route to Ads Abeba, the capital of the
Emperor Menelik, about 300 miles dis
tant, arriving on January Z. The rate
of progress was necessarily very slow.
IL rNfNH
erage. the march being largely made
before daylight, when it was bitterly
cold, to avoid the intense heat which
prevailed later
The new route has been carefully sur
veyed and is likely to be of large ad-
vantage. Four days after leaving the
coast, the party fell in with abundant
game and some very rare specimens
were fortunately secured, while deer,
antelope and hippopotami were found in
abundance. About four days before
reaching Menelik's capital, herd of
about 100 elephants were encountered:
Twenty large bulls fell to the rifles of
the party, after an exciting and some
what dangerous sport. as the elephants
had been recently hunted by the ma
tives and were exceedingly wary. Hun
dreds of natives hocked to the spot to
enjoy a feast and many insisted upon
shaking hands with the white hunters.
in appreciation of general meal. The
valuable ivory was carried forward and
courteously begged Mr. Butter and Mr..
Whitehouse to retain each a pair oe
tusks of their first elephant spoils.
The caravan was left about Is miles
from the capital, to which the party
proceeded and were most courteously
received by Captain Harrington, the Brit
ish resident and his secretary, Mr.
Baird. The residence of King Menelik
is a two-story building with extensive
court yards, in the-Senter Of a large
plain, through which are scattered an
immense number of crude nuts, con-
tanning probably 20 900 people. The
party. attired in faultless dress suits,
but riding sorry mules into the court
yard, were received in audience the next
day. The king is described as a man
of about IS years of age, of dark COM
plexion marked with smallpox, with
a slight gray beard and brilliant dark
eyes. He has a keen and thoughtful
face ard through an interpreter con-
Versed intelligently with his guests. He
inquired particularly from what part of
America Mr.. Whitehouse had come, and
remarking on the very great distance,
expressed the hope that they would
have a successful trip and carry away
a good account of his dOminiOnS, prom
ising them guides and a safe conduct.
The king invited the party to dine
with him on Christmas day. old style
January 8 when he entertained them
right royalty with cooked meats, raw
medts however being served to the
several thousand natives assembled at
the feat.
The Negus. who at the audience was
seated cross-legged on a divan with
pink satin cushions, was dressed like an
eastern potentate.
The party latter returned to the cara
van, when they marched south about
so miles and after halt for a day pro-
ceeded to Zuquata- The caravan, which
then consisted of 81 camels and 60 ma
tives, with the original party Except
Capt. Powell Cotton) will proceed by
the chain of lakes towards the WalaIo
country, whose chief has been advised
of their coming. Along this route there
will be a serious work for the camels,
as the country is very hilly but Lake
Stephanie should be reached without
difficulty.
The entire route is being surveyed,
including important hills as landmarks.
On the top of one of these was discov-
cred the ruins of a city, which had been
we'll and closely built, with narrow
streets about three-quarters of a mile
in length, probably constructed by
Arabs many hundreds of years ago. 1t
is possible that a runner may bring in
later news to Ads Abeba. otherwise no
further intelligence may be expected
bafOra 10 middle Of