The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-02
SOZODONT for the TEETH 26C
HEROINE OF MAFEKING
LADY SARAH WILSON Ten ROUTE To
THE UNITED STATES.
Was N Correspondent While Besieged
in the south African city Where
Baden-PoNeII Won Renown.

LIVERPOOL. Sept. 1.-The White star
line steamer Celtic. which sailed on Satur-
day. carried among her passengers Lady
Sarah Wilson, the British heroine of the
siege of Mafeking. Another passenger was
A J. Cassatt of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Among the names which appear on the pas
senger list of the Majestic of the same line.
sailing on Wednesday. are those Of Mrs.
Leland Stanford and Gen. T. 9. O'Brien.
Lady Sarah Wilson for a long time was
the most picturesque figure in the Boer
war. She distinguished herself both a. an
army nurse and correspondent for
London newspaper. Her enormous wealth
enabled her TO pay large brides in order TO
get her news dispatches through the Boer
lines. She was about the only person who
scaped from Mafeking during the long
siege, and was captured when she attempted
10 go back 10 the city again. She was eA-
changed as a prisoner Of war for Niljoen, a
notorious woman horse thief. whom the
Beers were especially anxious 10 set free.
In Mafeking she lived in bombpr0of shell
ter under the house of julius Welt. IL con-
nected with the house so that between the
ringing of a bell from the breastworks and
the landing of protectile from the besieg-
ing BOer lines she had ample time 10 re-
treat TO her place Of safety. Even IN the
noisome hole under the ground she man
aged TO make herself comfortable she had
whisky and soda. as Well as cigarettes, 10
offer visitors. Lady Sarahs adventures
were exciting. sometimes amusing and often
spiced with danger.
Ii was on a Thursday she left Mafeking.
She arrived at Setlagoli Hotel that night
Before morning she was aroused--s-y------
rattle of musketry and the boom of guns.
Ii was Captain Nesbitt of the MashOnaland
mounted police, who was lighting desper-
ately on the wrecked armOred train. As
soon as daylight permitted Lady Sarah rode
TO the scene OF action and photogra phed
the wreck , Finding that her presence in
Setlagoli exposed her 10 insults. the Beers
mo NrpH her 70 hFT IN me ~
heavy brides. she persuaded natives to
carry Information TO and fro.
Extraordinary stories regarding her were
circulated among the Beers. one was that
she was the wife Of an English general.
another that she was granddaughter OF
the Queen, who had come To spy the dOings
Of the Beers, and third that she was tbs
only male survivor OF Mafeking. having
escaped in the guise OF woman
there by young Boer who passed her of
his sister. She stayed in the hotel all
day. and she stole out by night TO shop. on
visiting the hospital she found orders had
been issued that no one should leave the
town The gallant Boer had To answer
curious questions put by the landlord be-
fore he could get permission for himself
and his sister 10 leave the place. They
set out at o'clock In the morning for fear
OF being recognized and got away safely
After the Beers discovered she had been
mixed up in dispatch running she went 10
Commandant Snyman's camp with view
of getting back 10 M3feting. but Smyrna
refused 10 let her go 10 Mafeking or even
to Setlagoli again. He offered 90 send her
TO Zeerust as a prisoner OF war or 20 re-
lease her If Vilioen were given up by tho
British.
As "A recognition of her valiant service =
TO the British cause Sir Baden Powell took
the liberty OF exchanging her FOR "A prisoner
OF war. When she returned to England she
was the center OF a tremendous popular
demonstration. and was acclaimed everY-
where as the Heroine Of Mafeking
Lady Wilson Is connected by marriage
with two American families. She Is "A sister
OF the Duke OF MARLBOROUGH. who married
Mrs. Louis {. Hamersley Lady Randolph
Churchill, daughter of Larry Jerome and
who afterward became the wife OF Lieut..
George CORVALLIS West. is sister-in-law OF
Lady Wilson.
The husband OF Lady Wilson is Capt
Gordon {. Wilson, OF the Royal Horse
Guards. He served with Baden Powell in
South Africa. and IL Was 10 be near him
that first inspired Lady Sarah 10 go 10 the
Transvaal. Her love for adventure kept
her there.