,4'-‘ "a soul A_T___B_ULAWAYO Troopers Attempt on Ill Advised At-_ tack on the Matabeles _ A SHARP BATTLE RESULTED. [he Natives Lost Heavily, but Succeeded In Repulsing the Englishmen—Two Versions of the Aflalr — Ex— ' plorer Selous’ . Escape. CAPE TOWN, April Bil—Telegraphic communication with Bulawayo was re- opened for a time today, and then there was‘another break, believed, however. to be only a temporary interruption. During the time the wire was working dispatches were received from several sources in the besieged town. The news flashed south is somewhat conflicting, but the main fact seems well established that the British» have made a sortie in force, encountered large numbers of Matabeles, inflicted great loss upon them, suffered in return, were at one time in danger of annihilation and finally retreated. Under the circumstances, the story of the battle must be divided into two chap- ters—the official report and the unofficial account. The cfl‘iciai version of the sortie says that the British force, shortly after mid- night, was quietly called to arms and, without apparently alarming the native part of the town. a force of about 800 men, under Captains Napier and Duncan, with one maxim rapid fire gun and a hotchkiss quick firing gun belonging to the flagship St. George, mustered outside the barbed wire defenses, were served with a ration of rum and saddled up for a dash at the one- my’s lines. Swords and all clattering ac- couterments were deadened with cloth and the feet of the horses composingthe ad- vance guard were ‘bagged” (hoofs covered over with strong sacking). Owing to the precautions it was necessary to take there was considerable delay in getting off. and the first streaks of gray on the horizon could be seen when the column arrived within striking distance of the enemy. The latter were quietly camped behind the stone topped mound, earthworks thrown up when the Matabeles made their last ad- vance to within about four miles of Bula- wayo. ' hiatabelos Had Pickets. But. contrary to expectation. they had thrown out pickets, which, although sur< prised asleep by the advance guard, raised the alarm. This was no sooner done than the troopers in advance charged and shot down many of the fleeing natives. This was the signal for the advance of the main body of the troopers, and they gal- loped forward in fine style to the support of their comrades. Unlucki’iy for the plans of Captains Napier and Duncan, by this time it was getting quite light, and the Matabeles had sprung to arms all along the line. As the British advanced they were received by a scattering rifie'fire from behind the earthworks, but the ad- vance guard charged right up to the mounds and spurred their horses over them in several places. Then followed a setback for the troopers. The Matabeles charged in fOrce and drove the advance guard back, and, being met by the main body of the Bulawayo force, fire was opened at about 400 yards on the Mata- bele position. This was kept up until broad daylight, when the advance was or- dered in view of the fact that too much ammunition was being wasted. Up to this time the loss on either side had not been heavy, although the Mata- beles had by far the worst of it, especially when the maxim and hotchkiss guns were brought into play to cover the retreat of the advance guard. Just previous to the advance on the Matabele position the two rapid fire guns Were again set to work, and for about a quarter of an hour they were made to sweep the Matabele position in front of the British force. ' ,When the right moment seemed to ar. rive, the charge was ordered, and there was a prolonged period of sharp fighting at close quarters. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, assegais, warclubs, spears and knives clashed prettily, the music of the rapid fire guns, sent to the rear for fear of their being captured, having ceased. A Desperate Conflict. Both sides fought bravely. It was a case of a handful of well armed whites against a small army of badly armed Mair abeles. The former were fighting for the helpless women and children in the be- leaguered town of Bulawayo; the latter were fighting for what they considered to be their own,_their native land. for Bula- wayo, the old capital of King Lobengula, now the Mecca of the Matabeles. Gradually the Matabeles, pressed on- ward by sheer force of numbers, almost surrounded the British, who, to avoid be- ing encircled, retreated, fighting foot by foot, but being driven steadily backward. One squad for a time was quite cut off and only extricated itself by a brilliant charge through the Matabele cordon. Eventually the British were very hard pressed and gave ground fast. Then, rallied by Napier and Duncan,they again assumed the Offensive and drove back the swarms of natives under a slow but well directed fire. Then it was the turn of the Mata- beles to give ground and a squad of troop- ers, charging with a ringing cheer, threw them into confusion, and the British were apparently getting the upper hand and slowly forcing the enemy backward, when suddenly the retreat was ordered. The Brit- ish began to fall back and finally retreated toward Bulawayo, which place they reach- ed considerably the worse for wear and tear. , Much heroism was displayed by individ- ual British troopers and volunteers in res- cuing their Wounded comrades. One trocp~ cr is said to have charged aloneclose up to the Matabele works, picked up a wounded friend, dragged him up on his saddle and retreated with his comrade after emptying the magazine of his rifle at the enemy. Another trooper stood over a fallen com— rade and with the stock of his rifle beat all the natives until both he and his friend Were rescued by a charge of their com- rades. , Heavy Losses. The loss of the enemy is said to be‘very ‘great. No correct estimate could be made, but the reports place the number of Matabeles killed at anywhere between 400 and 1,000. The loss of the British is not stated, but it is believed to be more severe than the commanders at Bulawayo are Willing to admit. ' The unofiiciai report of the sortie places matters in a somewhat different light. It says there was a great deal of unnecessary delay in getting the troopers away fromBulawayo. and that it was al- most daylight when they started. Conse- quently, when they encountered the Mata- beles, they igund the latter fully prepared to receive them. There was determined . fighting on both sides at close range, and —Advertise in the Gurus. : ‘ ' ' \ ’THE EVENING GAZETTE” the British, when almost surrounded, re- treated, fighting stubbornly. with the loss of many killed and wounded. In a word, the sortie was a failure, a defeat for the British, and what is worse, under the cir- cumstances, the eXpenditure of much of the stock of ammunition remaining at Bulawayo. The sortie in any case has not done any good, and nearly resulted, it is believed, in the annihilation of the British force. On the other hand, the Matabeles are believed to be flushed with victory. They have driven back into Bulawayo a strong force, about half the garrison, of that place, and though they suffered severely, the loss in prestige and ammunition to the British is much more severe. F. 'C. Scions, the explorer, with a squad of 50 troopers, was last reported on his way to MangWe in order to complete the repairs of the telegraph line at Fig Tree and protect the wires so far as possible from marauding bands of Matabeles. The rinderpest is still causing terrible ravages in Bechuanaland, where the na- tives are killing the balanceof their herds in order to provide a supply of “hiltong” (lean meat out into strips and dried in the sun), with which to sustain themselves. A famine is in prospect, as the herds are, in one way or the other, being wiped out of existence. To make matters worse, the plague is attacking the sheep and goats. MINISTER WILLIS TALKS. A An Emphatio Statement That He Will Return to His Post. SAN FaANcrsco. April 25. —Mlnistei Willis, who arrived here from Honolulu on a three months’ leave of absence. denied absolutely today that he was persona non grata to the Hawaiian government or that he had been summoned to Washington upon any complaint of the Hawaiian gov-_ erument. Mr. Willis said that he would undoubtedly return to his post at the ex-V piration of his leave of absence. ~ “The report that I slighted the Hawai- ians on Washington’s birthday,” said Mr. Willis, “is absolutely untrue. I entertain- ed no one at dinner on that day, but Pres- ident Dole, of his own volition, sent the government band to my home to play dur- ing the evening. So far as my failure to observe the Hawaiian republic’s anniver- sary on Jan. '17 is concerned, that is a matter which I will discuss only with the state department. My position in declin- ing to participate in the celebration was the result of 'my careful consideration of the orders under which I am instructed to represent the United States at Hawaii, be. yond the reach of telegraph wire, and where I must often act without any spe- cial consultation with the secretary of state. ” -Reformers Plead Guilty. PRETOBIA, April BEL—Messrs. Francis Rhodes, Lionel Phillips and George Far- rar, three members of the Johannesburg reform committee, pleaded guilty of high treason today, and the other members of the same committee pleaded guilty of leze majesty, but without hostile intent, against the independence of the Transvaal. The case was adjourned until Monday, when the defendants will be sentenced. Trying to Save Taylor. KANSAS CITY, April Syd—Attorney Vir- gil Conkiing. has left for Washington to secure a writ of error from the'United States supreme court in the case of Mur- derer William Taylor, sentenced to, hang next Thursday. He anticipates failure, and the murderer, for the first time since his long incarceration, is beginning to show signs of fear. , The Cattle Disease Bill In England. LONDON, April 25.—The Pall Mall Ga- zette says the character of, the deputation of farmers and graziers of Norfolk and Sufioik who waited upon Walter Long. president of the board of agriculture, urg- ing the government to abandon the cattle diseases bill, indicates that the govern- ment will have diflicuity in passing the measure. Burglar Wounded and Caught. UTICA, N. Y., April 25.-—Eugene Tully, the deputy postmaster at Leonardsville, was aroused by the noise made by a lad- der placed against his window by two men, one of whom was about to enter. Tully fired and wounded him' in the back. He fell, and the other fied. The captured burglar gives his name as Thomas Wilson. Commissioners Appointed. BOSTON, April 25.—-The governor has sent to his council nominations for the commission on the public institutions of the commonwealth created by a recent act of the legislature. He has named for the commission William F. Wharton of Groton, Charles F. Folsom of Boston and Davis R. Dewey of Brookline. A Despicable Deed. LAFAYETTE, La., April 25.—Martin Begnau, a merchant at Scott, was found dead in bed with his hands and feet so— curely tied and his mouth gagged. Fur- ther investigation soon disclosed the object of the foul deed. The sale was empty and $7,000 had been taken away. The autopsy disclosed 52 stiletto wounds. Coal Trust Bill Asked. ALBANY, April 25.—Senator Grady’s motion in the senate to recommit the Coal , trust bill to the judiciary committee was lost by a vote of 32 to 10. Senator Hum- phrey’s motion to restore it to the shape in which it passed the assembly was carried 'by a viva voce vote. ‘ The bill was then passed. Madagascar Credits Voted. PARIS, April 25.—The senate today unanimously adopted the credits asked for for Madagascar. M. Angles submitted a proposal for a revision and demanded urgency on the question, which was re- jected by a vote of 214 to 2.3, and-the sen- ate adjourned until Tuesday night. A Murderer Confesses. HOLLAND, Mich.. April 25.—-Ray Coates, who is accused jointly with Mrs. Enos Lawrence of the murder of the latter’s husband, has confessed that he killed Lawrence with an iron bar and afterward dumped his body into the river. Jealousy Leads to Murder. - MANSFIELD, 0., April 95. —- Edward Barr of Shelby fatally shot his mistress, Nettie Steele, at Martha Smart’s house here. He was jealous. Barr is 22 years old. His people lived in Bellefonte, Pa. He is in ,..il. , John Love’s Triple Crime. HUNTINGTON, W. Va, April 25.—John Love, living 30 miles south of here, shot and killed his wife. He then shot his father-in-law several times and wound up by attempting to blowout his own brains. Both will die. . ' ” Another Chance For Actors. LONDON, April 25.—The Gazette an- nounces that a new order of knighthood, the Royal Victorian, has been created. Advertise in the Guam. A - fl Wantthe Metric System Adopted, .WASHINGTON, April 25.+A delegation of scientific men, headed by Professor T. G. Mendenhail, ex-superintendent cf the cadet and geodetic survey. was given' a hearing by a subcommittee of' the senate committee on finance today in advocacy of Senator Cannon’s bill for the adoption of the metric system by this country. Wreck on the Pennsylvania. PI'r'rsnuao, April 25.—By the collision of tw0 freight trains at Gallitzin tunnel three men were badly injured and a num. ber of cars were destroyed, the wreck tak- ing fire. The injured men are J. D. Mc- Ksndree of Altcona, fireman; T. W. Car- nahan of Youngwood, Pa., brakeman, and Thomas Vincent of New York. The Alisa Attacked by Bimans. LONDON, April 25. —A special dispatch from Gibraltar says that while Mr. A. B. Walker's cutter Alisa was becalmed ed the coast of Marocco, on her way to Eng-’ land after taking part in the Mediterrane- . an regattas. she was attacked by Riffians, who fired upon her. A timely breeze en- abled the yacht to escape. Important Labor Bill Signed. ALBANY, April 25.-‘Governor Morton has signed Mr. H. T. Andrews’ bill less- ening the hours of labor for women and children in mercantile establishments. “ Sixty hours per week is the maximum time of labor. Chairs are to be provided for clerks and sanitary arrangements are to be perfected. ' .. Big Prize For an Essay. LONDON, April 25.——The Stat st recently nflered aprize of 1,000 guineas for the-best essay on the subject of imperial customs union. The competition is ended, and the prize will be divided between J. G. Cal- mer, acting commissioner for Canada, and R. S. Ashton. Those Tricky Turks. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 25.-—In view of the appointment of a Mussulman govern- or of Zeitun. the ambassadors ,of the powers have formally demanded that the Turkish 0 *ernment respect its engage- ments anhppoint a Christian governor. Virginia's Republican Aliserria'dzes".~ STAIINTON, Va, April 25.-—The Vir- ginia Republican convention today elect- ed State Senator W. M. Flanagan, Jesse Simonds, colored, J. B. Gardner .ah‘d H. N. Lewis, colored, alternates at large to the St. Louis convention. Taken in Time. Hood’s Sarsaparilla has achieved great success in warding off sickness which, if all mod to progress, Would have undermined the whole system and given disease a stronai’oothold to'cause much suffering and even . threaten death. Hood’s Sarsaparilla has done all this and even more. Itihasibeen taken in thousands of cases which were thought to be incurable, and" after a fairtrial‘has effected Wonderful cures, bringing 'Lealth, strength and joy to the afflicted. Another important point about Hood’s Sarsaparilla "is. that its cures are permanent, because theylstart from the solid foundation of purified, vitaliZod and enriched blood. : But it is not what we say but what Hood’s Salsa- parilla does that tellsthe story. ‘ I Killing a Pain with narcotics intensifies the disease while giving temporary, relief. Kidney troubles are caused by congestion of the parts affected. Backache is a symptom of derangement. Rem- edies that deaden pain do not remove the cause, Baker’s Kidney Pills remove disease and inflamma- tion. Alcohol is an irritant- plasters will not aid Kid‘ney'de- rangemcnt—narcotics — Opiates -—-are injurious. Buker’s Kids ney Pills are safe and specific in all Kidney and Urinary troubles. Druggists sell them for 50 cents. Book about Kidney trouble, free. Baker Pill Co., Bangor, 111:. P. hi. 'DWYER. nou’T BE SiBE-TBAGKEB. ' ALTERATION SALE STILL (ill. c'usroMEns ALL SATISFIEI. _ - - SALES LARGE. 2 vmnncn-a‘sucoEss. ‘ ‘ Here are a few reasons: HARNESS OILS. 34c quart we‘re‘750 _ ‘1 I91; ,pint wcre’45c .. Labels 8. little worn, torn. etc. Oils are A No. 1 though, Standard goods. DUSTERS. 98c were $1.50. 74c were $1.25. ' 593 were $1.00 38¢ were 75c. Equ illy useful for house, cars l'iage. store or barn. Always usefu .- Never so cheap. I still .drum upon those $9.98 Haf- nesses, They’re welth it, every cent. 1 Also five drummer’s samples single ' harness, Will go at $1.98. Made to set] at double. They are a bargain, ail new. Have been carelessly handled. ., P.‘ H.'.,DWYER. ,_ cor. Khi'ght and man "Sts.’, NORWALK. cons. =Ileoi-prociiy. URCLOAKROOM __________/ BustunSgulmwa. The Boston Store is in its Eighth Year of Business Life, and we intend that this}, shall be our greatest. Why? Because we are now in a position to buyjrom manu- \ lecturers and importers—from the same people that the lien York houses buy their .. goods-and we buy them at the same prices. Therefore it is easy for us to sell laid??? ihau they do, for our expense is nothing compared 'wiih theirs. HERE ARE SOME or THE was FOR THIS WEEK. ‘ llomo Trade Builds cities-9; A - Well as countries. I (1 Q 50 of these Beautiful Figured Brilliantine‘s. wide skirts, lined with “rustling and inbrlined, $3.98; we shall sell one each to a customer for $2.25, 10 Ladies’ Bfack, Fine Diagonals, $4.98. 25 Ladies’ Cover-t Jackets. $5.00 each; we shall sell at $3.49. 15 radios Black Cloth Jackets, $4.25 each; we shall sell at 32.93. ‘20 Silk Capes, $6.50 ones. for $4.25, 15 Black Velvet Capes, $6.00 ones, for $4.50. Light Colored Broadcloth and Covert Capes, at $4.50, 4.98, 5.59, 1.50 and 8.98, Children’s Jackets, 980, $L25, L49, L98, 2.25 to 5.99. Children’s Suits, $LT5, 4.98, 5.75 and 6.25. WRAPPERS We have just put in stock one hundred dozen new spring Wrappers. ' , 25 dozen Print Wrappers, best quality, 65c, 20 dozen Cambric Wrappers, 98c, 10 dozen Check Percales, $.49, 5 dozen Dresden, $2.25. SHIRT WAISTs—m 25 dozen Lawn Wrappers. T96. 10 dozen Fancy Prints, $1.25. 10 dozen Fancy Percales, “.93, 5 dozen Persians. $2.75- We were obliged to put ten salesladies behind our immense Shirt Waist counter last week. No OINTER... Is your plate glass or safe insured? Wonder ! Our styles and prices are all right. Waists with or without detachable collars and cuffs, 29c, 39c, 49c, 69¢, T56, 98c, $L25, L49, L98 t~nd 2.75. a THEBUSTUNSTUHE. Cur. Main and Wall 313.: I . If not, call on me and once Company. Glass will break and burglars use dynamite. I will write you a. policy in the Mutual Plate Glass and Sale Insur- i In case of Fi 2:", You should be insured. A policyf'i‘n the Reliance 01 Thiladelphia; Phoenix .of Hartford; scotland Union of Scotland; New Hampshire of Manchester; Rochester German of Rochester; United States and Pacific of New York; Security of New Hampshire or Granite State of Ports- '9' mouth will protect you against the fire fiend. W. rs. BENG‘EON, j _ j Real, Estate and General Insurance, Room 1, GAZETTE BUILDING —__CORRESPONDENCE SOL/CITED LOANS NEGOTIATED AND INVESTMENTS MADE.
Norwalk Chronicler