The Prophet Eugen and his Victims.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 267, 15 May 1895, Page 3

The Prophet Eugen and his Victims.

Another letter has been received from one of the unfortunate Wellingtomans who went away to South Africa under the influence of Eugen some months ago. It states that the party went 800 tmles up country by tram, and then iourneyed further inland on seven waggons, some of the younger men riding on horseback and driving cattle. After three or four weeks' travelling, tbe waggoners refused to go any further, and dumped the unlucky people down on the banks of the Mashona River, some two hundred miles from the nearest settlement. They had to depend almost entirely on the game they could shoot. About the end of November, Eugen told his followers that the catastrophe they haa left New Zealand to avoid had happened- viz. the colony had disappeared. But there were sceptics in the party, and two men rode to the nearest station in the hope of obtaining news After there return a dispute arose with Eugen as to the ownership of a horse. Eugen left the camp with it for a time, but on being met again was given into custody of the Becbuanaland police and charged with having stolen it. The case against him mf fell through, but the other claimant gained possession of the horse, and has kept it. Ultimately the party broke up, Eugen with his wife and two others— R. Chamberlain and C. S. Thomas-be-ing left on the banks of the Mashona ; River by the rest, some of whom have returned to Capetown.— Post.