The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-20
HUNTED TO DEATH
An American Hunter in Africa
Is MOrtaIIy wounded
BY British Soldiers Sent to Run
Him Down.


London, Aug. 20.-Hunted down by
British soldiers in the depths OF the
iungies of Central Africa, where for
years in definance of all authority, ne
had pursued the career of an elephant
poacher, and Illicit ivory trader, James
Wood Rogers, an American, is dead:
He was shot down by little force or
troops which had been sent into the
wilderness in pursuit with orders not
TO return without the outlaw dead or
alive.
News of Rogers's death came for
mally to the British colonial ONCE
from Captain e. " Fox. Inspector OF
the expedition. Although told in an
official report, the story revealed is
one of the most dramatic in colon1ai
annals.
For years Rogers had carried on his
lawless trade, which popular opinion
credited with netting him a fortune.
The remote regions along the Lade En-
clave and Congo boundaries were the
scenes of his operations. Time AFTER
time British officials of the Soudan
had tried in vain to trap him. It was
this defiance of years which deter
mined the government to crush the ola
man.
Captain Fox's report shows that in
his long operations Rogers had done
more than had been dreamed of by the
colonial Office. He had established an
IorgaRized administration over the wild,
trackleSS country, and among the ma
tives was a virtual, If uncrowned king.
An UncroWned King.
The success of the outlaw in hand
ling his subjects" and in the pursuit
of his trade drew from Captain FOX,
lin his report, the tribute that Rogers's
| work was worthy of a better cause
Not since the explorer. Henry M
Stanley, pierced the jungies in 1871
and found DIR. LiVin gstone, has such
tale of hardships, trials and dangers
come out of Africa. Captain Foxs re-
port, in this respect, resembles most
nearly. perhaps. the tale or Genera
F'unston's logged pursuit or AgunaIoo
in the Philippines.
For the purpose of tracking the out
law, the English commander was given
La nencommisSioned subordinate ana
six Soudanez soldiers. Body carriers
and mules for the transportation OF
supplies were part of his equipment.
His Instructions were plain-not to re-
turn until the outlaw was captured
! With a soldiers disregard for red
tame, Captain Fox, in his report, fails
to mention dates in describing the man
hunt Apparently the denouement OF
the Jungle drama came three months
| The pursuers then had spent weeks
pl1nging through the jungle that al
1 leading them through the densest- OF
swamps, forests and across deep
/ streams. Before the outlaw was over
taken he had crossed the Nile into the
Creeping up the Uganda bank of the
Nile, the expedition pushed forward TOT
Fox and his men then had worn their
clothes to tatters and their supplies were
lexhausted, leaving them facing starvation
| The last twelve hours of the pursuit was
particularly trying. The chase led over q
mountain with Rogers men only short
distance in advance. AS they fled, the
Iape-Iike natives of the outlaw sent back
taunts and jeers at their pursuers.
| ~ Death of Rogers.
| Dramatic in the extreme is Captain
Fox's description of the death of Rogers.
In the jungle into which they had de-
scended from the mountain. his party
came suddenly upon camp. A native
approached the English officer and said.
| 1.-THE commander wants you to come IN
He is sick and cannot come out
| Entering the hut Captain Fox found
himself in room dinly lighted by cam
die; A white man was lying on cou ieo
white. For a time there was a dead
silence, Captain Fox believing he had
been led into trap. Then he asked:
(which is Mr.. Rogers?"
Mr.. Rogers has been shot, replied the
outlaws companion
men,"
Come. stand right here so I can look at
tyou,'' Rogers continued His eyes were
blazing. and from beneath a blanket he
ficer.
1T am dying man. I guess" he SAID.
At didn't think they could kill cid
Rogers, but they got me this time
| Still, you are in Belgian territory, and
you stand more chance for arrest than
1 do"
| Fearing that the revolver which men
aced him might be discharged at any
time, Captain Fox argued with the OUT
law to gain time. Finally Rogers turned
to his companion, whom he addressed as
doctor, and said:
IT want you to witness what 1 say doc
tor. Captain Fox, am a dying man, 50 1
would not lie about anything. This was
my show and all my work I am afraid L
have brought you into trouble, doctor
/ wen I had my good times as well as
bad. I can't stand religious people. II
you have religions just live up to them
| A noise in the throat interrupted the
| words of the old man.
| .Say. did you hear that?'' he exclaimed
| That's the death rattle. I've heard that
too many times to make any mistake
This prediction proved correct, for these
were his last words
Throughout his talk with CAPTAIN Fox
| Rogers shielded his white companion and
| did not reveal his identity. Captain
Fox's report also is singularly silent on
this point. as he says he did not know the
doctor 1t is thought likely, however,
that this was done to protect the man.
1
liza EA ~NNW AnR~ARm