The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-06
FEATs OF DYNAMITE DICK. -
Escapades of an American Fighting
With the Beers.
From the Chicago Times-Herald.)

iron the Chicago Times Herald.)
Among the Americans who recently re-
| turned to Chicago after taking part in the
! Boer war was unique character who has
: served through the entire campaign, and
| on account of several of his escapades
/ had acquired the sobriquet of Dynamite
/ Dick" His real name is J. N King and
before he went to the Transvaal, several
years ago, he lived in Pennsylvania
King engaged in mining on the Wit
watersrand reef. and when he was not up
in the north country hunting lions and
other big game he spent his time bossing
gangs of Kaffirs. 1t was in this latter
I occupation that the outbreak of the war
found him. and be FASTENED to desert his
job and join the Irish brigade that Colonel
Blake was organizing. When he subscribed
to the roll, King swore that he would net
cut his hair until the English were driven
out of South Africa, and his shaggy locks,
which now reach around his shoulders,
testify to his having kept the vow.
Wherever there was fighting Dynamite
Dick was sure to be in the most exposed
quarter. Danger was sort of stimulant
with him that seemed TO act much the
same on his spirits as good wine Many
and various are the wonderful tales told
of his daredevil escapades and hair
breadth escapes. One of these stories.
told on credible authority, is as toll
lows:
During one of the brief periods of in
activity while The hostile armies were
facing each other across the Tugela River
King went out on a reconnaissance all by
himself. While hoying cautiously along
some distance from camp he discovered
three of the enemy, evidently engaged in
the same business as himself, a daring
resolution was quickly formed to attempt
their capture single-handed.
Dropping down upon the ground and
ayailing himself of the cover afforded by
raggly underbrush and stony ridges. he
crept around to within fifty yards of the
Englishmen who were intently scanning
the distance through their glasses.
Springing TO his feet and leveling his rifle.
King shouted: Hands up"
The scouts were taken completely by
surprise, and, supposing that they had run
into an ambuscade, where every rock con-
cealed a Boer. they dropped their rifles
and raised their hands.
step out there to the right" was the
next command. And again he was obey
ed. King then shouldered the rifles and
marched his prisoners ahead of him TO
camp. When he reached General SHUTS
tent he said:
Here. general. I've got three prison
ers"
IAN right, turn them over to tine
guard" said the general. and then he add
ed: where did they come FROM"
over here on the other side of The
river"
who caught them?"
81 did"
Yes, but who was with your"
Nobody"
You don't mean that you caught them
alone?"
Yep"
We'll. how did you do it?"
lust surrounded EN-"
On one occasion King was doing brand
wacht." or picket duty. around General
Joubert's lager. belated Irishman OF
Colonel B!ake's corps was trying to slip |
through the lines back to camp when his !
presence was discovered.
Halt VINO goes there?" shouted King |
after the manner OF Colonel Blake's in |
structions.
There was no response and Kings Maui
ser clicked as he slid a cartridge into the /
chamber and repeated the challenge
"oh, stop yer maxim all this fuss. won't
ye?" pleaded the Irishman, whose voice
was readily recognized.
who goes there?" came the challenge
a third time.
well, it's me durn ye; but don't be
r-rousin' tn camp bout It"
Say, friend, d---I you, halt, or I'll put
a bullet through you"
"Ffricnd ye blackguard, I'll no f-friend
ye. We are no f-friend OF mine"
And after that the formal challenge was
aF,aDdoued