The San Francisco call., 1909-08-22

ENERAL JIM SMITH. soldier,
Elawyer and "czar" OF the Philip
pines, saw much of life and death
during his long residence in Uncle
Sans possessions under the southern
cross. but the most dramatic tragedy
in the checkered history of the islands.
says he, was the killing of DR.. William
Jones, the scientist representing the
Columbian museum of Chicago. Jones
gave up his life for the cause of science
in the wilds of the province Of Isbela
in the island of Mindanao. To the last
such as can be duplicated in but few
instances in the history of the world.
The daring and loyalty of a little
IIongote boy. Jones only companion.
who alone fought off horde of savage
headsmen; forms chapter in this
weird drama that makes it of double
interest
General Smith recently told the story
at the Press club. of which he is
member. and the tale is reproduced by
his permission. The general said:
Courage and absolute fearlessness
characterized the men who went to the
Philippines before American rule was
established, and the deeds of heroism
which are woven into the weird his
tory of the islands would fill many vol
umes. I know of many, but one case
In particular comes to my mind. 1t is
that of Dr. William Jones. who was
gathering data regarding the natives
of the islands for the Columbian mu-
scum in Chicago. His death. aside from
the dramatic features, lost to the world
brilliant man and cut short a beau
tiful romance, for the scientist was to
have been married to fair Virginia
girl on his return. The steamer that
brought his body was to have brought
him back alive to the woman who was
to have become his wife.
Jones went into the province of
Isbela to collect data regarding the
tribes that inhabit the region along
the banks OF the Rio Cagayan. He
lived with the IIongotes for several
months and secured accurate accounts
of their customs. religion, folk lore
and everything which would prove Of
interest to the anthropologist. but there
was one thing lacking. This was the
details of the funeral ceremony per-
formed over the body of the chiefs
1t so happened that just about the
time Jones was preparing to return
/ to the United States the headman Of
the village died. This was Jones op-
! portunity. But these funeral cere-
monies are always held in secret, and
all foreigners are strictly barred. But
| the zeal of the scientist overcame the
caution of the visitor, and when the
T ceremonies began Jones forced himself
into the hut and despite the manifest
/ i'll feeling, he remained and witnessed
/ the affair throughout. This was all
! he needed and having secured this last
remaining bit of data, he was ready
to return to the States and his bride
/ to be. But the natives are a strange
/ lot. They permitted him to witness
| the funeral but after it was over they
held a council regarding the matter
They all agreed that the presence of
/ a foreigner at the burial ceremonies
would delay the passage of the chiers
soul to their heaven. The only ques-
tion before them was how to overcome
this evil influence. 1t was quickly de-
/ cided that the stranger must die to
atone for his indiscretion. There was
no time to be lost. as Jones was pre-
pairing to depart, so they attacked him
without delay.
I'm the first rush one of their long