The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-29


II6SA1 ably conveyed nothing to many
FNAN millions all the world until
| M the story of his tragic end was pub
Nv lshed broadcast. Yet many VINO
have travelled IN Stanleys Darkest Africa the
territory which witnessed the truly remarkape
end of an adventurous career-the details OF the
dramatic chase through the jungles and its still
more dramatic conclusion will not be 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
for Rogers was fine type of man, even though
his latter days were spent in outlawry and de-
fance of lawfully constituted authority.
In order that the causes which led up TO the
tragedy may be better understood, 1t is neces-
sary to touch lightly upon history and polluca'
facts Many may recall that the British govern
ment leased the strip of the Congo territory
known as the Lado Encave-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 Spdan-to the late King Leopold OF
the Belgans 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 ttis-that is to say, under Leopolds
rule-the La4io Enclave was the happy hunting
ground of band of British and foreign ivory
poachers. che Belgian administration OF the
ladO was mere farce OHlclalS were lew anu
far between and the natives did they willed
without fear of let hindrance. 1t must be re-
membered however that if any of the poachers
were caught redhanded with the poached ivory,
they were sent to the Belgian Congo capital, Leo
poldsville the Congo river, to undergo ten
years hard labor in a 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 were other heavy
chains, supporting the enormous leglrons All
day these poor wretches worked in the forests or
in the open. under a blazing sun, goaded on 10
further labor by the extreme brutalities of their
hardheayted guards.
White man and negro were treated alike, No
favors we're shown to any of them.
1t may be safely stated that the death OF
Rogers closes the long chapter of lawless ele-
plant ppachng in the Congo For years the
Lado Enclave was known mo Mans Land;
but 1t 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 the Nile in those days, i
had the good fortune to meet my old comrade IN
arms Capt C. " Fox of the Egyptian army, and
discussed at length with him the prospects OF rout
ing out the ivorypoachers.
At the time little thought that trife over
two years later, Captain Fox would be the central
and exciting stories of real adventure which has
ever come out of the Congo. or. for that matter,
Africa. But 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
from other friends in Africa. Captain Foxs 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 Fox's modestI
or his sense of what is due to a dying mans las
request prevent the calculation of the blanl
spaces
:. For instance we would like to know who is tn
doctor referred to by Rogers and Captain Fox
Maybe we shall never know! Rogers lips ar
sealed by death and the lips Of Captain Fox ar
sealed by dying mans last charge The "dot
tor must go down to posterity figure
mystery unless the Begians disclose his name
We know that he the boon companion @
Rogers and we have the latter's statement tina
he was innocent of poaching.
One must sympathize with Rogers. even II on
disapproves of his breaches of the law His Is
picturesque figure and he died no doubt,
would have wished to have died-wth his fac
to the front and shielding his comrade. the my
ferrous doctor.
Rogers was an American who at diferer
times. a resident of many cities in California
He had spent many years of his life in an vi
quenchable search after adventure-with bi
A-until he found his hearts desire in Centr
Africa. He Joined in the rush to the Klondke
the late nineties and after his return he entre
disappeared until the news came Of his death
Africa
After trying first thing and then anoth
in Africa he turned his hand to elephant poac
ing and here he found his true element Of a
venture.
He got the natives of the Lado Enclave und
his control so that they did his every biddir
and acted his allies. He established O
ganzed administration the wild, trackle
country, and among these naked savages WI
had hitherto known master. virtually
king, II he uncrowned monarc
Time after time he evaded capture by Sudan al
Belgian officials And finally. we know that
eluded hot pursuit for ever six weeks
Entering the Lado Encave with his white col
panion. he set to work to make the unruly al
hitherto unsubdued natives subservient to
willard even more than that. for he ma
them stanch allies. On the approach of COVER
ment officials the natives would give him ann
warning that he could escape. Then he ira
eled about the country until he a good 81
for his headquarters. where he could store
ivory. ammunition and supplies
The next thing to do to train a band
natives to act as soldiers.
All being ready, he proceeded to ma
WHERE HORSES +