Murdered Explore

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 September 1910, Page 4

Murdered Explore

HOW BOYD ALEXANDE DIED.

Details of the murder of Lieutenant Boyd Alexander, who was lecontly killed in Wadai while on an important expedition across Africa, ihave now come to hand. The intelligence comes • from Lioutenant Cliilders Thompson, commanding at the British post of Maifoni, in the Lake Chad region, with whom the late explorer stayed for a month. The communication, which is dated Maifoni, reached London recently, and is as follows :— "You will have heard by this time the bare announcement that Boyd Alexander was killed near Darfaur. I will now give you tire details. He was delayed' for a long {ime at Aebshir, in Wadai, owing to the French' .reverse at Nassalit having ihrought ahout a disturbed condition of the country, finally, about two months ago, leaving Aheshir, he proceeded on his journey, and, with the Portuguese collector, Josc\ rnaivehed. in a north-easterly direction, safely arriving at Tama, a place that is under Ali Dinar of Duirfar (presumably a chieftain owing allegiance to the Anglo-Egvptian Government). They readied the place late at niaftit. and on their arrival the local chief, or king, summoned them to his presence, to winch request Lieutenant Bovd Alexander replied that he would see the king the following morning.

"Tlie explorer and his companion were encamped under .some trees outside tlio town, and had just finished their evening meal when they were suddenly surrounded bv a hand of people from the town, who declared their intention of taking Lietuenant Boyd Alexander to their King. One of the men then laid hands on the British olhoer, wh'o naturally pushed -him off. Thereupon a. small boy, who was standing by, seized a gun and 'Hazed at the explorer, who instantv fell. The crowd fen set upon him and killed lmn out of hand. I'our ot the natives seized Jose find proceeded to wrench a rin° Irani his fineer. Tn w ,der to get tree Jose said he would himself remore the ring which thev wanted and the moment lie got his hands' clear seized his gun, which was by nreel two shots at his assailants ?»d jumping on his horse, succed- I

mg in escaping. Before tliis Lieutenant Alexander was dead, ami [ the majority of the natives in tlieii excitement did not pay much attention to his companion, and moved hade to town ' nf T it 'TV bad luck 0 the whole thing is that twodnvs TV explorer's murder AI, Dinar of Dari.fr, to whom Alexan- I flei had sent Ins bo.vs Cpresumablv to announce Ins arrival, and to ask for guides) sent an escort with t ifi earners The latter ,had hoc el received l,y Ali Dinar, wlio 1-frl l"' VOn 1 l )rescnts <*"id prooffice- C - for tho B|,;tisll ofhcei to gire him a safe di«w, a-ross Da.rfur. Two diavs later The n f !> Ve i ' n T ,P al] tho Ihe attitude due to tho fact dint F.-o V i ? p nrl tron?,l ° "'itb the tie n,' ■ ol '°C a,UI tllnt ' len, ''ll!I of mo ! IV m' .° ,f n " ""known white man at their town, thev expected further hostilities." ' MK(CP( '