Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-22
Relentless Man Hunt Ends with
Death Of Elephant Poacher
in Darkest Africa.
ROGERS WAS AN AMERICAN
Defiance of Years Led British Of
ficials to Send Troops to
Capture Him, Dead
or Alive.

British soldiers in the depths of the
junges of Central Africa. where for
years in defiance OF all authority he had
pursued the career Of an elephant poach-
er and Illicit ivory, trader, James Ward
Rogers, on American. is dead. He was
,hot 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 Rogerss death came formally
Today to the British colonial office from
Capt c. V. Fox, inspector of Mongolia
province, who commanded the expedition.
As told in an official report, the story
revealed is one of the most dramatic in
colonial annals.
For years Rogers had carried on his
awless trade, which popular opinion
credited with netting him a fortune The
remote regions along the Lado Enclave
and Congo boundaries were the scenes
Of his operations. Time after time Brit
lsh officials of the Soudan had tried in
vain to trap him. 1t was this defiance OF
years which determined the government
70 crush the old man.
Captain Fox's report shows that in his
long operations Rogers had done more
than had been dreamed OF by the colonial
ONCE. He had established an organized
administration over the wild trackless
country and among the natives was a
virtual. If uncrowned king.
WORK WORTHY OF BETTER CAUSE
The success Of the outlaw in handling
his subjects and In the pursuit of his
trade drew from Captain Fox in his re-
port, the tribute that Rogers's work was
worthy Of better cause.
Not since the explorer Henry NJ
Stanley pierced the junglcs in 1871 and
found Dr. Livingstone has such tale
or hardshlps, trials and dangers come
out or Africa. Capt FoX's report, in thi.
respect, resembles most nearly perhaps
the tale of General Funston's dogged
pursuit Of Aguinaldo in the Philippines.
For the purpose of tracking the outlaw
the English commander was given q
commissioned subordinate and six
Soudanese soldiers. Body carriers and
mules for the transportation of supplies
We're part of his equipment His in
struct'ons were plain. not to return until
the outlaw was captured.
with soldiers disregard for rad
tape, Captain Fox, in his report. fails
10 mention dates in describing the
man hunt Apparently the denoue.
ment of the jungle drama came three
months ago
Inc pursuers then had spent weeks
plunging through the Jungle that al.
most defed passage. Rogers cunning
~ leading them through the denses,
OF swamps, forests and across dean
streams. Before the outlaw was over
taken he had crossed the Nile into the
Belgian Congo.
SIX WEEKS LOCATING QUARRY.
Creeping up the Uganda bank of the
Nile the expedition pushed forwar.,
Tor SIX week before the quarry was
located. Fox and his men then had
worn their clothes to tatters and their
supplies were exhausted. leaving them
facing starvation in the wilderness.
The last ~ hours Of the pursuit was
particularly trying. The chase led
over q mountain with Rogers's men
,nly a short distance in advance. AS
they fed the ape-lke friends of the
outlaw sent back taunts and jeers at
their pursuers.
Dramatic In the extreme Is CAPTAIN
Fox's description of the death of Rog-
hal descended from the mountain his
party came suddenly upon a camp
A native approached tine English OF e.
Hcer and said:
THE commander wants you to come
N. He is sick and cannot come out"
Entering the hut Captain Fox found
himself In a room dimly lighted by a can
die. white man was lying on a couch
and beside him sat a companion, also
white. For a time there was a dead ST.
lence, Captain Fox believing that he had
heen led into 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
Jou," Rogers continued. His eyes were
>lazing and from beneath the blanket he
irew a revolver and pointed 1t at the Off
ser.
DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD DO TT.
Il am a dying man, guess" he said.
II didn't think they could kill old Rogers
tut they got him this time. Still you are
n Belgian territory and you stand more
chance for arrest than do
Fearing that the revolver which men,
aced him might be discharged at any mo-
ment. Captain Fox argued with the out
law to gain time. Finally the outlaw
turned to his companion whom he ad-
dressed doctor and said:
II want you to witness what | say,
doctor Captain Fox, ! am dying man
SO | would lie about anything. This was
my show and all my work. | am afraid
] have brought you into trouble, doctor.
Well. | had my good times, well as
bad. ! can't stand religious people. II
A noise in his throat Interrupted the
old mans words.
Say. did you hear that?" he exclaimed
'That Ia 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
report Is also sngularly 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.
WIFE HAD MARRIED AGAIN.
Oakland, Cab, Aug. 19-Mrs W. H.
Rardon OF tina city Was lorineIi5 mo
saifA al IaIass Wood Roxsrx tia elanhant