MISSION MARTYR

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11126, 8 February 1930, Page 6

MISSION MARTYR

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH CHINESE BANDITS MURDER REV. D. F. PIKE PREACHED GOSPEL TILL THE END United >resß Assn .by El. Tel. uc,jyrietat SHANGHAI, Feb. 0. What is regarded as conclusive evidence of the murder at the hands of bandits of the Rev. D. F. Pike, an Australian missionary attached to the China Island 'Mission since 190*2, '.us discovered by another missionary, Mr Crofts, who conducted a lengthy search in the territory in the vicinity of Kweichow, which is infested by robbers. The search resulted in the finding of Mr Pike's liorso and saddle in possession of a bandit gang, who were arrested by the authorities. Mr Crofts reported that the same gang confessed to participating in the capture of Mr Pike, hut denied knowledge of his whereabouts. The seareli led Mr Crofts to a village among prec'intous gorges where a Moslem woman reported seeing a foreigner standing in the midst of a band of robbers in the- market place at Chingshani with, his hands tied, bareheaded, and preaching the gospel in fluent Chinese. People wished to assist the stranger, hut were afraid of the bandits, who later carried their victim off. Continued search resulted in finding villagers who described Air Pike's death. Stil 1 preaching the gospel he was taken to a lonely rock overlooking a rushing torrent and shot through the heart, his body falling into the river. The authorities deny the story.

IN HANDS OF BANDITS THREE LADY MISSIONARIES IN DANGER SHANGHAI. Feb. G. Three members of the China Inland Mission, Misses E. Cajandor, E. E. Jugman, and A. A. Hemlengren. all Finns, were captured by brigands in Kiangse province on February 2 while travelling by boat between Changshu and Kian. Particulars are not available, but it is believed the ladies are being held for ransom. Miss Cajaner has been in China 22 years and the others over 20 years. Misses Cajander and Ingmuii suffered recently a similar experience when the city of Yunghsin was looted a few weeks ago. In order that they might escape, capture Chinese sympathisers hid them by building them into a hole iu a wall.