The Massacre of Missionaries in China.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 6 November 1900, Page 2

The Massacre of Missionaries in China.

-t On June 29th at Hsia-mi-Lisien, Miss Whitchurch and Miss Gewell were attacked by the Boxers, stripped naked, and clubbed slowly to death. On the same day Mr Stokes' house at Tai-yuen-fu was attacked and set on fire by the soldiers. Mr Stokes and the other inmates made their escape to the house of Mr Farthing, but Miss Coombs became separated from the rest of the party. The soldiers caught and beat her, and then flung her into the burning house. On June 30th, at Hson-yang, five English missionaries with two children were arrested by the Magistrate and placed in cbains with iron collars round their necks. In this position they were sent in carts to Tai-yuen-fu. They were not allowed to touch any food during the journey. On July 9th all the Protestant missionaries were called into the Governor's Yatnen. The doors were closed, and the Boxers ordered to slaughter them in cold blood. All were killed with swords, and their heads were afterwards set up in view of the people. On July 31st, at Taiku, the missions were attacked by several hundred Boxers. Messrs Clapp, Williams, and Davis fired on them from the roofs of the houses, while Mrs Clapp, Miss Bird and Miss Partridge took refuge ia the outbuildings. Eventually, however, the defenders were overcome and killed. The heads of the whole party were hacked off, and together with the hearts of the three men, which the Boxers cut out, were sent to the Governor. On August 15th, Mr and Mrs Price and child, Mr and Mrs Attwood and two children, Mr and Mrs Dandgren, and Miss Eldred, were ordered by the prefect to leave Yen-chau-fu. Tbe Magistrate petitioned the Governor to leave them in peace, as they were all worthy people, and Mrs Attwood was expecting her confinement daily. The petition, however, was refused. The missionaries were promised an escort to Tientsin, and started oft accompanied by 20 soldiers. When a few miles out they were met by another band of soldiers, and the missionaries including women and children, were hacked to pieces in a dreadful manner at a signal given by the escort. A Reuter's telegram, dated Shanghai, September Bth, states Mr Goodnow, the United States Consul-Gene-ral, after making inquiries from every possible source, learns that the number of British and American missionaries who have probably been murdered during the rising is 93. while 170 stationed in the Provinces of Chi-H and Shansi are unaccouuted for. There is every reason to believe that they have met the same fate. Of those whose deaths are absolutely proved, 34 were British, including 9 men, 16 women and 10 children ,' 22 were Americans 8 of these being men, 8 women, and 6 children. There is strong evidence to show that 37 more were killed at Tai-yuen-fu. Ten men, 13 women, and 7 children are known to have been there. The list of missing numbers are:— British, 41 men, 49 women, and 19 children. Americans, 20 men. 21 women, and 20 children. It is impossible to ascertain the number of Roman Catholics k:"ed, but they include many French prir^s and sisters. Several Swedisb and Dacfsh Protestants have also been killed.

A.Cole, 6yds bs; W. Howan, syds b s; Bert Robinson, 4yds bs; W. Lofts, 2yds bs ; G. Foster, 2yds bs ; G. Drinkwater, L. Deßidder, G. Dunn, R. Simmonds, J. Sullivan, E. Hunter, E. Dunn, scratch. Two other nominations received ior Handicap and Hurdles without entrance fee enclosed. The handicaps ' for them will be published when the | _ fees have been received. j W

Several additional prizes have been added to the Sports programme, Messrs Walker and Westwood each giving prizes for a girl's and boy's race respectively, and Mr Couch also presents a set of sleeve links to the winner of the Committeemen's Race. Trophies will be on view in Mr Henderson's window from to-day.