The sun., 1903-03-08
GRAN CHACOS LAST VICTIM.
Guido BosEiani. the Italisn Explorer
Murdered by Indians.

mUFVoSo0 W hnuAsns%
Tbs news has just come from Paraguay
that the distinguished ethnologist, Guido
BoRRiani Of Italy, has been murdered by
the Indians Of the Chaco Boreal. west oil
Paraguay.
A native OF Lombardy. where he was
educated, he went to Paraguay years ago
because he regarded that country as very
important field for chronological stut y
HIS publications containing the results o.
his chronological and linguistic studies
among the Chams cocos, Lenguas. Borosat
and other Indian tribes have won for him
a high reputation in the learned world
All his writings have been based upon his
own observations and he lived for years
among various Ind an tribes In order to ac-
quire a minute A.iowiedge OF their charaf- =
tar, customs and languages.
One branch OF the great tribs OF the
Chamacocos live not far from the Bolivian
boundary, and on account OF their un'
friendiness no white man has ever been
among them. Boggiani believed that his
intimate acquaintance with number oi
tribes and his familiarity with the Language
OF the Chamacocos would enable him to
maintain pleasant relations with this almost
unknown branch Of the tribe.
With perfect confidence that he would be
successful he fitted out a small expedition,
consisting Of only ak Chamaoocos Indians
Of the tribal branch with which he was well
az a iainted, and his servant Gavilan, a
Paraguayan. He left Paraguay late In 1901
for his new field Of research.
Five days after he set out from Asuncion
he sent Gavilan back for some more horses
and other supplies and awaited his return
on the shores of large lake. His servant
rejoined him soon after and this was the
last that was heard of the party alive.
Several search parties were sent out last
summer when it began to be feared thai
disaster had overtaken the expedition.
Nothing was learned. however. until the
Cancio search party returned with the skele-
tons of the two murdered white men OF
the exploring expedition.
They found an Indian who told them
that Boggiani. Gavilan and one OF the
Indians had been murdered by the Chamaco-
coz. After months Of search they found
skeleton which, they were told, was that OF
the European leader, though IL was dis
covered later that it was the remains OF
his servant Gavilan.
A little later they recovered the remains
of the Inflated explorer and learned that
he had met his death by being struck on
the head with club and that his skull had
then been broken to pieces and that all
his supplies had been stolen. Nothing
was recovered except a camera. a few
dozen Photographic plates and some Italian
and South American newspapers.
Cancio brought back to Ascuncion a
prisoner who declared that the massacre
had been planned by both branches Of the
Chamacocos tribe and that they we're actu-
ated solely by a desire to obtain possession
Of certain objects that were a part OF the
explorers equipment
No part of the world Of 30 small an extent
has witnessed the massacre OF 50 many
men engaged in exploration in recent years
a. this northern part Of the Chaco. The
most distinguished names in this fatal list
are those of DR.. Creveaux and Pa non Lista,
but It includes many others who were mem
bers Of various expeditions.
It was reported a while ago that the
Argentine explorer Ibarreta had also been
killed by these Indians, but the latest In
formation concerning him Is that the natives
are holding him prisoner. Ttisnot known
whether this news is authentic, for the ex-
pedition sent out to rescue him has not yet