Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-20
NOTED OUTLAW DEAD
Hunted Down in African Jungle
and Shot.
TRIBUTE PAID HIS GENIUS
James Ward Rogers, American, Il
licit Ivory Trader, for Years
Defied English Authority.

LONDON. August 2O.-Hunted down by
British soldiers in the jungles OF central
Africa, where for years in defiance of
all authority he had pursued the career
of an elephant poacher and Illicit ivory
trader. James Ward Rogers, Ameri-
can. is dead. He was shot down by
little force of troops which had been sent
into the wilderness in pursuit with orders
not to return without the outlaw, dead
or alive.
News of Rogers death came formally
yesterday to the British colonial office from
Capt. c. V. Fox, inspector of Mongolia
province, who commanded the expedition.
Although told in an official report the
story revealed Is one of the most dra-
matte in colonial annals
For years Rogers had carried on his
lawless trade, which popular opinion
credited with netting him fortune. The
remote regions along the Lado Enclave
and Congo boundaries were the scenes of
his opera tons. Time after time British Of
ficials of the Sudan had tried to trap
him. 1t was this defiance of years which
determined the government to crush the
old man
Capt Foxs report shows that in his
long opera lions Rogers had done more
than had been dreamed of by the colonial
Office. He had established an organized
administration over the wild trackless
country and among the natives was viz
tual If uncrowned king.
Worthy of Better Cause.
The success of the outlaw in handling
his subjects" and in the pursuit of his
trade drew from Capt. Fox, in his re-
port. the tribute that Rogers work was
worthy of better cause.
bo Of no outlaw
the English commander employed non
commissioned subordinate and six SUI
danese soldiers Body carriers and mules
for the transportation of supplies We're
part of his equipment. His Instructions
were plain-not to return until the outlaw
was captured.
The pursuers spent weeks plunSins
through the jungle. Rogers cunningly
leading them through the densest OF
swamps. forests and across deep streams.
Before the outlaw was overtaken he had
crossed the Nile into the Belgian kongo.
Particularly Trying Experience.
The last twelve hours were particularly
trying. In the jungle into which they had
descended the party came suddenly upon
a camp, A native approached the Eng
lish officer and said:
The commander wants you to come in.
He Is sick and cannot come out
Entering the hut. Capt. Fox found him
self in room dimly lighted by candle.
a white man was lying on a couch and
beside him sat companion. also white.
For a time there was dead silence,
Capt Fox believing he had been led into
d trap. Then he asked:
(Which is Mr.. Rogers"
'.Mr Rogers has been shot, replied the
outlaws companion.
Yes. interrupted Rogers. land by
your men,"
Come, stand right here so / can look
at YOU" continued Rogers. His eyes were
blazing and from beneath a blanket he
drew a revolver and pointed It at the
officer.
Il am dying man. / guess | didn't
think they could kill old Rogers. but they
got him this time.
still. you are in Belgian territory. and
yol; stand more chance for arrest than |
do"