The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-06-11
Chalmers Missionary Party
Numbering Fifteen Massacred.
BODIES CUT UP AND EATEN.
Chief Of Al Island Tribe Of Saasss Invited
The Visitors 10 the Island and
They Accepted.

San Francisco. Cal, June 1l-Particu-
lars OF the fate OF "A party OF English mis-
sionaries at the hands OF cannibals OF
New Guinea have just reached here from
New Zealand.
The noted explorer, the Rev. James
Chalmers. and Dr. oliver Fellows Tomp-
kins. of the London Missionary society:
James Walker and Thomas Rathbone,
young men, who accompanied the expedi-
ton from Australia, and eleven native
converts, who were with the party. were
decoyed from their vessel led into the
Interior and murdered by warriors.
After the massacre the bodies OF the
victims were cut 10 pieces and the saw
ages devoured the flesh.
Across the straits OF Cape York Penin-
suls, I'm British New Guinea, lies the ISL
and OF Coaribatta. A dozen native VII
lagos, inhabited by the most~savage be-
ings In the South sea, are situated a few
miles inland, where great swamps make
the country almost impossible.
It was at n place known as Risk Point
not far from the south OF the Fly river.
that the massacre occurred. on April
last the missionary party set out from
Thursday island In a little schooner, the
Niue, which Is owned by the London
Missionary society.
CHIEF GREETS THE VISITORS.
The Niue cruised until on the morning
OF April she dropped anchor off the
shore of Coaribatta. A few hours later
several canoes filled with natives came
out To the vessel. The chief OF the ISL
and greeted the visitors warmly and as
sured the visitors shat they would be safe
with his tribe.
Mr.. Chalmers conversed with the chief
n nd a -
presents the natives withdrew TO the
shore. On the day following the chief
returned and invited Mr.. Chalmers and
his companions 10 visit his village I'm
order that the natives might have an op-
portunity TO hear the message brought
by the missionaries.
Mr. Chalmers accepted the invitation OF
the chief and the entire party landed In
the native canoes, leaving the Niue in
charge OF Capt Sadenaker.
When the little party was about three
miles from the beach several OF the war
riors closed around IL and with uplifted
clubs intimated that the visitors were
prisoners. Arrived at little cluster OF
huts that formed the native settlement.
Mr.. Chalmers and his party realized the
fate that had been treacherously pre-
pared for them.
There were assembled at least 800 war
riors. apparently waiting for the arrival
of the missionary party. The mission
aries were placed In a row and surround
ed by the savages.
Knowing that death was coming 10
him. Mr.. Chalmers spoke to tine can
nibals. lie made no appeal for mercy,
ttt talked to the savages OF the future,
and implored them To seek for deliver
ance from their error through the word
OF God.
WARRIORS MURDER HIM.
While the gray-haired missionary was
still speaking eloquently i'm the native
tongue several OF the warriors rushed
upon him. and with clubs beat him to the
ground. Then the murderers cut of the
head OF the victim and raised II aloft on
a spear.
DR.. Tompkins was forced to look on at
the murder of his friend The eleven
native converts threw themselves on the
ground and refused to see the horrible
spectacles.
Or. Tompkins was seized and bound and
taken to hut. where he was kept all
night with the two other Englishmen.
The native converts were closely guarded
IN another part of the village: At sun
rise Dr. Tompkins, with Walker and
Rathbone. were killed
Toward evening OF that day a massacre
of all the native converts took place The
eleven young men were placed in a group
and then the cannibals attacked them
with clubs and spears until they were
killed The bodies were cut up and the
flesh was placed In baskets and sent to
All this time Capt Sadenaker was on
the schooner Niue. The day following
the departure OF his companions a swarm
of canoes came out from shore and sur
rounded the missionary craft
The captain gave the natives all the to-
bacco he had. but they were not satisfied
with this and nillaged the Vessel -Mhen
their canoes were loaded they started for
the shore and the captain set sail. lie
was pursued for some distance by num-
ber of warriors. but managed to escape.
He returned TO Daru and reported the
disappearance and probable fate OF Mr..
Chalmers and his friends.
An expedition was organized 10 avenge
the ma assacre. The steamer Parua left
Thursday island with a detachment OF
the Royal Australian artillery. About the
same time the Merrie England. with an
other part OF government troops. deport-
ed for the scene of the massacre from
Port Moresby.
When the party arrived at the Island
where Mr.. Chalmers and his companions
met their end great difficulty was expe-
rienced I'm landing. The natives attacked
the boats but a hot FIRE from the Max
inns dispersed them. on the shore they
mustered I'm large bands and fercely as
saulted the invaders.
The punitive force marched into the in-
terror and captured several villages.
Every hut was razed. II is not known
how many natives were killed.