Milford chronicle., 1901-11-01
Transport Camp, Rail Head, Uganda
Railway.
M1IF. sd. Ara. Pm. 1aO1.

MILE, SIG, AUG. 18TH, 1901.
FRIEND TOWNSEND: - How Is everything
in old Delaware? 1t has been quite long
time since have had any news, but l guess
It's the same old place-very few changes
and everybody gets older every day like my
self 1 begin to feel my age now, after wan
dering around the world two or three times,
in fever stricken countries like South and
East Africa; but, laying all jokes aside,I can
not complain very much-as 1 have seen
some OF the world, and may have seen more
than lots of chaps in old Delaware.
I'll don't peg out before long, hope to see
China, as I have been offered a good billet
there on the Pekin Consolidated Line; $500
Chinese money per month: that's equal to
about sl45 in American money, but have
signed with the Uganda people until this line
is completed to the lakes, which will prOba-
bly, be about January LIST. 1902. CT course 1
could resign by giving three months notice
lin this case would lose my passage fare to
Bombay or England, SO have decided to re-
main.
The country we are going through now is
very sickly, much black-water fever, which
effects a person something like the yellow
fever in America; but take the chances-i
peg out, let her go. During the month Of
225 miles south from Rail Head. One was an
Australian and the other chap an English
man. The two were transport conductors in
our department.; one was killed by being
thrown from his horse-the other chap got a
touch OF the sun and pegged out in two days.
The latter chap is the one that came very
near causing myself to be in the same fix.
"kufer" killed. The following day after I
buried this chap, and not being in no great
rush to get back to camp, was invited to go
out lion shooting, which I accepted with
pleasure. With two good friends Of mine,
Mr.. HowatsOn, conductor and Mr.. bennett, a
driver (engineer) on the Uganda Railway
/ Shooting in this country is not like in good
old America. We take five guns, three SOS5,
one ST. express elephant gun, and one dou-
ble-barrel shot gun loaded with explosive
ball, and ten Kah1r servants. We go to Athi
river, eleven miles from NairObi, after
lions. We got two beauties and one nice
leopard, but the Misses Lion came near get
ting me. tell you It was the closest call l
ever had. / wa. in bed for five days after
ward, but am up and doing my duties now
in the transport camp. have bad sore on
my hand yet,but it does not bother me much
now; it was just the good, steady nerve that
saved me, and that was Mr.. HOwatsOn' who
just as luck would have it, was in shooting
distance when the liOness charged me. 1 die
all / could, but she was too much for me
This is not my first lion hunt in East Africa
as have been out dozen of times and havl
killed three myself.
The two chaps 1 was with are both OLE
tiger hunters from India, and they have ha'
some close calls themselves. In any cas-
you shoot at lion and wound her, you ha,
better look oHt, she will surely come for yOl
with fall speed, and if you don't drop her a
the second fire of the gun, you had might a
, well say 81 am gone" With my case haI
. pened to have good cool man near me, an
that's what saved me, after l was badl
mauled. l have two fine claws Off the female
which 1 am sending TO Mombasa to hav
them heavily mounted, which 1 anticipat
sending to my folks. The leopard skin wit
, claws are intact, have saved that mysel
and in case do not go to China, l will brin
2 that to the United States with me; the lilo
e skins we're kept by Howatson and bennett
I All want new is an elephant and thin
] will be able to knock one over as soon {
j we get up to the lakes. have had some GOO
i shooting in this part Of the world, and hay
had some close calls, but the old saying
"its hard to kill good man." have ha
rhinocerous to charge me at "Nlile 497," but
managed to get the best of him; this ha
/, pened the time was out buck shooting. o.
day we killed five different species Of bue
which took thirteen Kifiirs to bring the lei
+ into camp. Talk about country for gam
IF Africa is hard to get ahead OF. 1 have ju
II about three days work to do a month; the re
d of the time l am always out.
l. am sending you Mombasa paper, whit
Al has little account Of my experience with q
al lions at Athi river, July 26th; although 4
1t paper states my recovery is doubtful, 1 a
s. glad to say / am up and around again. t
only trouble now is my hand, and dare s.
Id It will be all right in few days. won
Ii like to send you some of my ostrich feathe
ne white and black ones, three feet long, t
of birds 1 killed at Makindu, smile 44S;' but
es the New York customs may jump them
n revenue duty 1 am afraid to risk the
IS through the mails, and will have to take
We chances of getting them through on my
g, turn to the United States. They are beouti
ng If I don't get killed, or peg out, am sur
er will bring a variety of curiOs with me FRI
Africa before the year 1902 is finished.
he Give my best regards to Tom Windsor O
ng all the chaps, and tell them l am still XII
vn ing. Must close now, will write again sO'
IN with respects to you and your family,
ny 1 remain yours truly,
CT J. f. ABBOT