Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-04-18

rT1 world through the daily press, of
hHSS. the death Of James Ward Rogers
HM0 the American elephant-poacher in
HW11' the Congo. The name Rogers prob
MSfAJ ably conveyed nothing to many
LAN millions all the world until
MJ the story of his tragic end was pub
~ lished broadcast. Yet so many who
Iva travelled IN Stanley's Darkest Africa"-the
,.rr,tory which witnessed the truly remarkable
"a of an adventurous career-the details of the
s,,matic chase through the jungles and its still
o,a dramatic conclusion will not be a mere
pIpedream.
There must be many others in America besides
rysef who have been through this section OF
Central Africa and to whom Rogers was known
,ersonally. And to us the story brings regrets
ior Rogers was fine type of man, even though
tl latter days spent in outlawry and de-
sanee Of lawfully constituted authority.
IA order that the causes which led up to the
tragedy may be better understood, 1t is neces-
,.ry to touch lightly upon history and political
,ncts Many may recall that the British govern
ment leased the strip Of the Congo territory
tuoEn 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
he edge Of Spdan-to the late King Leopold OF
he Begians Cor the duration of his lifetime On
Ma death, it passed back into British hands and
Incidentally under the control of the Sudan
officials.
Prior to tbs-that is to say under Leopold's
rle-the Lsdo Enclave was the happy hunting
uound Of band of British and foreign ivory
pOachers The Belgian administration of the
Isdo was mere farce. Officials were few and
far between and the natives did as they willed.
without fear of let or hindrance. It must be re-
nembered however, that IL any of the poachers
we're caught red-handed with the poached ivory
they we're sent to the Belgian Congo capital, Leo
poldsyile. on the Congo river. to undergo ten
years hard labor in Changing.
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 mslefactors Their legs were riveted into
chains and round their middles we're other heavy
chains Supporting the enormous leg-irons All
DAY these poor wretches worked in the forests or
h the open. under a blazing sun, goaded on to
further lsbor by the extreme brutalities of their
hardheayted guards
White man and negro were treated alike. No
hEop shown to any of them.
Il may be safely stated that the death OF
Rogers closes the long chapter of lawless ele-
plant pOaching in the Congo. For years the
lAdo Enclaye was known as mo Mans Land"
but Il is not SO now. for the Sudan government
assumed control in June, 1910 and set about ex-
terminating the poachng 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
umB, Capt c. v. Fox Of the Egyptian army, and
discussed at length with him the prospects of rout-
ING out the vory-poachers
Al the time little thought that a trihe over
two years later Captain Fox would be the central
hgure with Rogers in one 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 our 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 part
nom other friends in Africa Captain Foxs story
hcks good many details, for the modesty of
Tie British soldier is reflected throughout his mar
nt'e There are many points you and would
IKE to have cleared up, but either Fox's modesty
Or his sense Of what is due to dying mans last
request prevent the calculation of the blank
spaces
fcf Instance, we would like to know who is the
eoctor referred to by Rogers and Captain Fox
Maybe we shall never know! Rogers lips are
sealed BY death and the lips of Captain Fox are
sealed BY dying mans last charge. The doc
nr must 90 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 we have the latter's statement that
1e vas Innocent of poaching
une must sympathize with Rogers, even IL one
esapproyes Of his breaches of the law His is a
picturesque figure and he died as. no doubt he
would have wished to have died-with his face
me mont and shielding his comrade, the mys-
ielious doctor.
rogers was an American who, at different
snes was resident of many cities in California.
ne had spent many years of his life in an I'M
taehcnable search after adventure-with a big
until he found his hearts desire in Central
:. sANa he Joined in the rush to the Klondke in
~ Mie nineties and after his return he entirely
Africa " ms N"'. -
A1,er trying first one thing and then another
! ap'ea, ne turned his hand to elephant poach-
- Ano here he found his true element OF adj
4. ~ got the natives Of the Lado Enclave under
~ eontrol so that they did his every bidding
~ acted as his allies. He established an or
s---eo administration over the wild. trackless
s-ey and, among these naked savages, who
- annerto known no master was virtually
~ even II he was un uncrowned monarch
~. 49, a'er time he evaded capture by Sudan and
49, s'sn omcials And. finally. we know that he
~ not pursuit for ever six weeks
.,'enng the LRdo Enclave with his white COM
hs, sl, ne set to work to make the unruly and
m, unsuodued natives subservient to his
~. eaa even more than that for he made
nsr. s.sncn allies. On the approach of govern.
v,,~,' omclas the natives would give him ample
~ !. 90 that he could escape Then he tray.
n, ~ Ost the country until he saw a good site
mr. neaoquarters, where he could store his
ammunition and supplies
n,,,- -eAt ming TO do was to train hand NJ