The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-03-27


FTY millions all the world until
o7MNJ the story Of his tragic end was pub
lished broadcast Yet so many who
have Travelled in Stanley's Darkest Africa"-the
territory which witnessed the truly remarkable
end of an adventurous career-the details of the
dramatic chase through the junges and its still
more dramatic conclusion will not be a mere
pipe-dream.
There must be many others in America besides
myself who have been through this section of
central Africa and to whom Rogers was known
personally. And to us the story brings regrets
Tor Rogers was fine type of man. even though
MS latter days were spent in outlawry and de-
nance of lawfully constituted authority
In order that the causes which led I'D to the
tragedy may be better understood, it is neces-
sary to touch lightly upon history and political
1acts' Many may recall that the British govern.
ment leased the strip of the Congo territory
known as the Lado Enclave-a long strip stretch
ing along the banks of the Nile from the south.
ernmost extremity Of Lake Albert to Kiro on
the edge Of Sudan-to the late King Leopold of
the Belgians, for the duration of his lifetime On
his death, it passed back into British hands and
incidentally, under the control of the Sudan
officials
Prior to this-that is to say under Leopolds
rule-the Lado Enclave was the happy hunting.
ground Of band of British and foreign ivory.
poachers. The Belgian administration of the
far between and the natives did as they willed.
without fear of let or hindrance 1t must be re-
membered, however, that If any of the poachers
were caught red-handed with the poached ivory
they were sent to the Belgian Congo capital Leo
poldsyille, on the Congo river, to undergo ten
years hatd labor in a chain-gang
This little pleasantly of punishment was the
worse imaginable, They were chained round the
neck and fastened to a long string Of the worst
native malefactors. Their legs were riveted into
chains and round their middles were other heavy
chains, supporting the enormous leg-irons All
day these poor wretches worked in the forests or
in the open, under a blazing sun, goaded on to
further labor by the extreme brutalities Of their
hard-hearted guards
White man and negro were treated alike No
favors were shown to any of them
1t may be safely stated that the death OF
Rogers closes the long chapter of awless ele-
plant poaching In the Congo For years the
Lado Enclave was known mo Mans Land"
but it is not so now, for the Sudan government
assumed control in June 1910, and set about ex-
terminating the poaching industry
On my arrival at Mongolia, the southernmost
post of the Sudan on the Nile in those days
had the good fortune to meet my old comrade in
arms, Capt. c. V. Fox of the Egyptian army, and
discussed at length with him the prospects of rout
ing out the ivory poachers.
At the time little thought that, trife over
figure with Rogers in of the most dramatic
and exciting stories of real adventure which has
ever come out Of the Congo, or, for that matter
Africa. But we who know Africa have learn
ed to be surprised at nothing.
Part of this remarkable story comes to me d.
rect from my old friend Captain Fox and par,
from other friends in Africa Captain Fox's story
lacks a good many details for the modesty Of
the British soldier Is reflected throughout his mar
rative. There many points you and | would
like to have cleared up, but either Foxs modesty
or his sense of what is due to a dying mans last
request prevent the elucidation of the blank
spaces.
For instance, we would like to know who is the
doctor referred to by Rogers and Captain Fox
Maybe shall never know! Rogers lips are
sealed by death and the lips of Captain Fox are
sealed by a dying mans last charge. The doc
tor must go down to posterity as a figure of
mystery, unless the Belgians disclose his name
We know that he was the boon companion of
Rogers and have the latters statement that
he innocent of poaching.
One must sympathize with Rogers even If one
disapproyes Of his breaches of the law. His is a
picturesque figure and he died as no doubt, he
would have wished to have ded-with his face
to the front and shielding his comrade the mys-
FERROUS doctor.
Rogers American who at different
times, resident of many cities in California
quenchable search after adventure-with a big
A-unt he found his hearts desire in Central
Africa. He Joined in the rush to the Klondike in
the late nineties and after his return he entirely
disappeared until the news came of his death In
Africa
After trying first thing and then another
in Africa he turned his hand to elephant poach
ing, and here he found his true element of ad
venture.
He got the natives of the Lado Enclave under
his control that they did his every bidding
and acted his allies He established an
ganzed administration over the wild trackless
country, and among these naked savages who
had hitherto known master, virtually
king even if he was un uncrowned monarch
Time after time he evaded capture by Sudan and
Belgian officials. And, finally, we know that he
eluded hot pursuit for ever six weeks
Entering the Lado Enclave with his white COM
panion, he set to work to make the unruly and
willard more than that, for he made
them stanch allies. On the approach OF govern
ment officials the natives would give him ample
warning that he could escape. Then he tray
eled about the country until he saw a good site
for his headquarters, where he could store his
ivory, ammunition and supplies
The next thing to do was to train a band Of
natives to act soldiers
All now being ready he proceeded to mark
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