A BOER CRIME

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 28 March 1901, Page 4

A BOER CRIME

The Murder of Peace Envoys,

A prominent and influential ex-burgher gave a correspondent of the "Cape Times" the following details, which had been collected at Kroonstad with reference to the recent outrages on the peace envoys. Morgendaal and Andries Wessels went out to see De Wet's commando with the object of informing the burghers of the terms of Lord Kitchener's offer to those willing to surrender their arms. They wero both made prisoners, and confined in De Wet's laager Subsequently they were joined by Gf rhardus Mullar, another ex-burgher, who was captured by the Boers for writing a letter to his brother-in-law, who is, or rather was, still on commando, and who had written to him asking what the British were likely to do with him if ho voluntarily laid down his arms. Muller wxote a reply, stating that he guaranteed that no harm would befall him if he surrendered. Mullar was still busy writing the letter when a Boer patrol entered his farmhouse, and took him prisoner. Search was made, and the letter, which, together with others, he had hastily concealed under the tablecloth, was discovered. He was consequently detained with Morgendaal and Wessels. One morning the commando broke up laager, suspecting a movement against them. The three prisoners were ordered to remain with one of the carts untiHhe mules arrived, and then to inspan and follow the commando. They were standing by the cart, when Commandant Froneman arrived on the scene, and imperfciently asked them why they did not inspan. To this Morgendaal replied that they had been ordered to wait for the mules, whereupon Foreman immediately began sjambokking Morgendaal in a most cruel manner. The latter being a prisoner, naturally offered no resistance, and moved about in a circle while the cruel blows fell over his head and face. After the lashing, Froneman further abused Morgendaal, saying, amongst other things, that he felt inclined to shoot him. Juat then General Christian Do Wet arrived on the scene, and hearing Froneman'a threat to shoot Morgendaal said, " Why don't you ? " Whereupon Froneman immedia ely fired, the bullet penetrating Morgendaal'B body from side to side below the arms. Morgendaal fell on the ground apparently deud, but subsequently camo to. Later on he succumbed to his wound. Morgendaal was about thirty five years of age, and a man with a bright future before him. Ho was a well-to-do farmer, residing in the district of Kroonstad. He was married to Miss Wessels, daughter of a brother of Andries Wessels.

Muller was also severely sjamboldced by Froneman, and eventually sent by order of Do Wot under an escort to Lindley town, where he was ordered to stay. He succeeded, however, in escaping to Kroonstad, and his statement as an eyewitness to the outrage on Morgendaal is, as already announced by the District Commissioner of Kroonstad, in the latter's hands. Andries Wessels, who was reported by the District Commissioner of Kroonstad to have been also shot a few days ago at Klipfontein, by order of De Wet, was an old man of about sixty years of age. He also lived in the district of Kroonstad. and was a very wealthy man. No further particulars about hi 3 death have been received. These outrages are condemned on all sides by burghers, who are thoroughly disgusted at De Wet's barbarism.

The heavy seas of the past two or three days (says the Morning Post) have done still further damage to the outer arm of

the Timaru breakwaterr and the need for the now protective works must bo very apparent to anyone, who sees tho present condition of tho breakwater, The new works aro already sufficiently far advanced to aftord tho breakwater some little shelter.