St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1912-03-02

red, and one shell, which fell into the
compound of the American legation
tore through the tent of one of the
soldiers of the recently-arrived re-
endorsements, but did not explode.
Among the refugees at the Ameri.
can legation are Willard D. Straight
ex-American consul general at Muk-
den, and now the representative of q
New York financial syndicate, and
his wife, who was Miss Dorothy p
Whitney, daughter of the late MN
G. Whitney, and Daniel A. De Memo.
cal, representative of the information.
al banking corporation at Pekin, and
his VIE, all Of whom had thrilling
experiences as they traversed the
streets in which Chinese troops were
engaged in footing.
STRAIGHT's HOME LOOTED.
The soldiers did not attempt te
interfere with them, but there was
|great danger from flying bullets and
fire brands which were fourishins
lin all directions. Mr.. and Mrs
Straight saved their records and val.
uables, but deserted q richly-furnish.
ed house, which was given over to the
looters.
The American is the most exposed
legation, lying outside the main quad
Triangle of the quarter. The Ameri-
can end Of Legation street is the only
Enclosed section. The legation re-
GENTLY considered putting up barri-
cades, but merely depended on sand
bags and barb wire, which has now
been more effectively rearranged fol-
defensive purposes.
MISSIONS HAVE RIFLES.
The British legation is sending de
|tachments throughout the city to pro-
|tect British missions. The Ameri-
can commandant, Major Russell, says
the American missions are well sup
piled with rifles and are able to de-
fend themselves.
The Japanese is the only legation
without frontage on the Chinese city.
Therefore the japanese detachment
lis reinforcing the others and also
doing special post service beyond the
sand bags.
The Pekin garrison now numbers
about 1000, and it is not anticipated
the Chinese will attack the legations,
their principal object being pillage.
GUARD IMPERIAL FAMILY.
The sight of the soldiers along the
legation walls silhouetted against the
burning city was an impressive one
tonight. The flames Illuminated the
golden-tiled roofs of the palaces and
threw a glare upon the thousands
crOwding the streets and struggling
among themselves for loot they are
unable to carry away.
AS yet fires have not broken out
within the forbidden city, indicating
that the Manchu troops are guarding
the empress dowager anu the en-
peror faithfully.
Foreign soldiers who returned to
quarters after service in the streets
and fugitives who have arrived de-
scribe their experiences as thrilling
Chineses soldiers broke into hundreds
of houses. Sometimes they desisted
when informed that the house was
the property of foreigners.
DEAD LIE IN STREETS.
Only articles of great value were
taken. Property of all kinds which
had been gatherd up in the first at
tacks was cast aside to make room
for loot worth more.
Dead and wounded were lying in
the streets.
An English family living opposite
the quarters of the Marking delegates
say the place was attacked and set
On fire early.
In the opinion of those English
people the delegates did not escape.
Refugees say the new Waiwupu
residence of Yuan Shi Kai was safely
guarded by loyal troops at midnight,
nearby buildings were burn
Ing.
REMAIN IN COMPOUNDS.
The American minister, Mr.. Cal
houn, and Major Russell, at late
hour consulted with the American
missions by telephone. All express
ed their preference not to leave their
own compounds.
The Methodists are within q block
of the quarter and can be rescued
easily if endangered.
The Young Mems Christian Asso-
:iation members have taken refuge
IN the American Board compound,
where detachment of American ma
rines re-enforces the missionary gar
rison.
The Presbyterian mission is in the
corner of the city,
:hree miles from the legation quarter.
A telephone message Informed the
legation that the mission people fear
I'd to traverse the streets because
hey were surrounded by mutin0us
soldiers, who frequently shot through
he iron bars of the compound gates.
Major Russell offered to send q de-
.achment Of troops to remain there
or their protection.
AMERICAN FAMILIES MISSING.
Two or three American families
rave not been heard from, but it is
no harm has come to them,
because foreigners have not been
nolested.
Occasionally there is q sound Of
Maxim firing and the booming Of
leavy guns.
The officers have been unable to
control the soldiers, and among the
ugitives housed at the legations are
ulcers of the Chinese foreign board
md officers of the imperial guards.
American soldiers have taken pos
ession of the Chien-men pagoda,
md Germans have occupied the Hata-