The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-06
THE ELANDsFoNTEIN FIGHT.

Desperate Encounter Between the
British and the Beers.
JOHANNESBURG (undated). via Kroon-
an amazing scene when the British seized
Elandsfontein, The mining suburb of
Johannesburg. Along the valley below
Elsberg and beyond it were great heaps Of
cyanide and mine tailings commanding the
railway station, which was the centre Of
struggle when section of forty mount
ed Victorian Rifiemen rushed the place
After Lieutenant Walker had shifted his
command to higher ground and thus pre-
vented the progress OF any trains. a COM
mando OF six hundred Beers sent yolley
at his men from a train which was just
about to depart. Then the Beers detrain-
ed. scaled the heaps of ta:lings, and for a
half hour there was thrilling fight with
rifles. Bullets were whistling in all d.
rections, and women and children were
running hither' and thither through the
streets. Some of the women were so
paralyzed with excitement that they were
unable to move and stood silent at their
doorways. watching the fighting.
The fight closed as quickly, almost, as
1t opened ard most of the Beers retreated
to the northwest up slope. Some of
them even descended the shafts of the
mines as they had noticed the foot guards
approaching and saw that they were sur
rounded. The Beers were found in heaps.
Thirteen dead were gathered up in addi-
ton to many wounded
The Russian ambulance corps attached
to the Boer army remained behind and as
sisted in taking care of the wounded
Afterward they were allowed to reion the
Beers.
When the Kaffirs saw that the Beers had
been repulsed they rushed from their To-
cation and tried to loot the stores OF the
Jews, but the British troops firmly prevent
ed this. and soundly thrashed several
crowds.
The residents of johannesburg watched
the fighting from the northwest on the sky
line They stated today that they expect
ed there would be at least a weeks fight
ing outside of the city, especially to the
southwest.
The capture OF E,andsfontein was COM
plete surprise and resulted in some dis
order in the evening in Johannesburg
This was chiefly the case among the for
eign. contingents who threw articles that
had been stored for needy burghers' farni-
lies from windows and then helped them
selves.
Public Prosecutor Krause issued proc
lamation. ordering all burghers who were |
under arms to Join their commands at
daybreak otherwise they would be placed |
under arrest and would be severely pun
ished General Grobler. with 2.000 men.
hurriediy departed toward the northwest.
The local managers Of the mines all re-
port that the property generally has been |
better protected during the war than be- |
fore.
When General Pole-Carew's signal man |
and his Interpreter reached the station be- |
fore the attack. the latter was captured |
by the Beers and placed under guard |
over night. While talking together during
the night the Boer guard told the inter-
prefer that he was sick of the war. The |
Interpreter replied: Lets change places,
give me your arms and come with me-"
The Boer replied "All right" and both ap-
peared in the British camp next morning.
The official Beer telegraph operator at
who was captured tby the |
British. said that the last telegram which
General Botha sent to President Kruger
was to this effect: THE burghera will not