Today in Kimberley's History
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59 days since beginning of the Siege of Kimberley, 1899
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Lord Methuen has sent a message to Colonel Kekewich ordering all women and children to leave by train immediately the line is opened. This message has leaked out through one of the Councillors, and in the meantime the question is being fought out by Mr Rhodes and other influential people. A widespread dismay has seized all except those few whose future will not be seriously concerned if this order has to be carried out. Free tickets are in any case to be granted, and so far about 600 have registered their names as willing to go.
People who have been quite cheerful and happy throughout the siege say that this is the first time they have felt the least depression, and in many cases there is great alarm.
This morning an American youth, captured eighteen days ago, escaped from the Boers at Intermediate Station, and reached the Barkly Road Redoubt all right. It seems he was on his way in from Barkly when caught, and was suspected of being a spy. He was on the point of being sent to Bloemfontein when he managed to jump on one of their horses this morning, and lying flat on its back, in spite of being shot at, arrived safely at the Barrier. He came to Jack this evening and told him Frank was all right in Barkly 18 days ago, and had wanted him to bring in a note for us, which he dared not do, however. Barkly had not been damaged or looted, and the residents were respected - with the exception of the Inspector of Police (Mr Blyth), and Sergeant Williams, C.P., with two troopers, who had been sent as prisoners to Bloemfontein. Dr Croghan and Mr Franklin had gone via Douglas to try and join the English Column.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Lord Methuen has sent a message to Colonel Kekewich ordering all women and children to leave by train immediately the line is opened. This message has leaked out through one of the Councillors, and in the meantime the question is being fought out by Mr Rhodes and other influential people. A widespread dismay has seized all except those few whose future will not be seriously concerned if this order has to be carried out. Free tickets are in any case to be granted, and so far about 600 have registered their names as willing to go.
People who have been quite cheerful and happy throughout the siege say that this is the first time they have felt the least depression, and in many cases there is great alarm.
This morning an American youth, captured eighteen days ago, escaped from the Boers at Intermediate Station, and reached the Barkly Road Redoubt all right. It seems he was on his way in from Barkly when caught, and was suspected of being a spy. He was on the point of being sent to Bloemfontein when he managed to jump on one of their horses this morning, and lying flat on its back, in spite of being shot at, arrived safely at the Barrier. He came to Jack this evening and told him Frank was all right in Barkly 18 days ago, and had wanted him to bring in a note for us, which he dared not do, however. Barkly had not been damaged or looted, and the residents were respected - with the exception of the Inspector of Police (Mr Blyth), and Sergeant Williams, C.P., with two troopers, who had been sent as prisoners to Bloemfontein. Dr Croghan and Mr Franklin had gone via Douglas to try and join the English Column.