Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-03-28

~ I'M ably conveyed nothing to many
RMbY millions all over the world until
1NMJ the story of his tragic end pub
lished broadcast. Yet so many who
have travelled IN Stanleys Darkest Africa"--the
territory which witnessed the truly remarkable
end Of an adventurous career-the details of the
dramatic chase through the jungles and its still
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 the story brings regrets.
for Rogers was fine type of man, though
his latter days were spent in outlawry and de-
fiance OF lawfully constituted authority.
In order that the which led up to the
tragedy may be better understood, it is neces-
sary to touch lightly upon history and political
facts. Many may recall that the British govern
ment leased the strip Of the Congo territory
known the Lado Encave-a long strip stretch
ing along the banks of the Nile from the south
erumost extremity of Lake Albert to kiro, on
the edge of Sudan-to the late King Leopold of
tie Belgians. for the duration of his lifetime. On
his death, it passed back into British hands and,
Incidentally, under tho control of the Sudan
officials.
Prior to this-that is to say under Leopolds
rGie--the Lado Enclaye was the happy hunting
ground of band Of British and foreign ivory
poachers. The Belgian administration OF the
Lado was q mere farce. Officials few and
without fear OF let or hindrance. 1t must be re-
Numbered, however that If any of the poachers
were caught redhanded with the poached ivory,
they were sent to the Belgian Congo capital, Leo
pcdsvlle, the Congo river, to undergo ten
years hard labor in ehain-gang.
This little pleasantly of punishment was the
verse imaginable They were chained round the
neck and fastened to o long string of the worst
native malefactors. Their legs riyeted 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
in the OPEN under blazing sun, goaded on to
further labor by the extreme brutaties of their
herd-hearted guards.
White man and negro were treated alike. No
faFors shown to any Of them
1t may be safely stated that the death OF
Rogers closes the long chapter OF lawless ele-
plant poaching in the Congo For years the
Lido Enclave was known mo Mans Land
bit it is not SO now for the Sudan government
assumed control in June, 1910, and set about
terminating the poachng industry.
On my arrival at Mongolia, the southernmost
post OF the Sudan 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 ivorypoachers
At the time I little thought that, trife over
two years later, Captain Fox would be the central
figure 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 who know Africa have learn
ed to be surprised at nothing
Fart of this remarkable story comes to me di-
rect from my old friend Captain Fox and part
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
ratlve. There many points you and / would
like to have cleared up, but either Foxs modesty
or his sense of what is due to 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 we shall know! Rogers lips
sealed by death and the lips of Captain Fox are
sealed by a dying mans last charge The doc
tor must go down to posterty as a figure of
mystery, unless the Belgans disclose his name.
We know that he the boon companion of
Rogers and we have the latters statement that
he was innocent of poaching.
One must sympathize with Rogers even if
disapproves of his breaches of the law. His is a
picturesque figure and he died no doubt, he
would have wished to have died--with his face
to the front and shielding his comrade the mys
terious doctor.
Rogers was an American who at different
times, was resident Of many cities in California
He had spent many years of his life in
quenchable search after adventure-with big
A-until he found his hearts desire in Central
Africa. He Joined in the rush to the Klondike in
the Idt0 HjuGIlGS anu alter his I0luI1 Ne 0HllT0ly
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 Eere he found his true element of adj
venture.
He got the natives of the Lado Enclave under
his control so that they did his every bidding
and acted as his allies. He established an
ganized administration over the Wild trackless
country, and among these naked sayages. who
had hitherto known no master, was virtually
king. even if he I'm uncrowned monarch
Time after time he evaded capture by Sudan and
Belgian officials. And finally, 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
hitherto unsubdued natives subservient to his
willard more than that, for he made
them stanch allies. On the approach of govern