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From: Trisha McLeod <>
Subject: [ZA-EC] CAPE AND NATAL NEWS 03 JUNE 1861
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 23:43:40 -0800 (PST)
References: Message-ID: <1328859820.68245.YahooMailNeo@web121304.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>


H.M. brig Persian, Commander Buckley, arrived in Simon's Bay on the 11th April, from the Mozambique, which she left on the 21st March. She reports that H.M.S. Enchantress (which left Simon's Bay not long ago) went ashore on the reef at Mayotta and is a total wreck. No lives lost.


H.M. St. Wasp (the same vessel that went ashore near Cape Point in coming out to this station) also knocked on a reef near Mayimba, and although afloat again, is seriously injured.

WESTERN PROVINCE

The demise of an old resident at the Cape is thus noticed by the Advertiser and Mail :-
The sudden and unexpected death of Mr. THEUNISSEN will be deeply regretted by a very wide circle of warm friends. He was until a very few days ago, though far advanced in years, still almost in the prime of healthy vigour, and a long prospect seemed yet in store for him of a happy and honoured green old age. In all the relations of life his career was not merely unblemished, but distinguished for every virtue. As an honorary magistrate, he dispensed justice among the humbler classes who, appeared before his court with a fairness that was ever tempered with judicious kindness, and as a private gentleman in his magnificent residence at Vergelegen, the hospitality he displayed was something which, in its cordiality and its extent, reminded one only of the good olden times now unhappily passing so fast away. He was in all respects about the most perfect specimen of the South African gentleman we have ever met. His beaming face and the cordial welcome with
which he ever met his friends - and they were numberless - will never be forgotten, even by the most forgetful of them.

MR. LONG'S CASE :-  A few gentlemen at the Cape have formed themselves into a committee to receive subscriptions in aid of Mr. Long's legal expenses in the present question between himself and the Bishop of Cape Town.

We regret to notice the suspension of the long established and well known firm of Messrs. J.B. ROBERTSON and Co. but hopes are entertained that the estate will pay a good dividend if sufficient time is allowed for liquidation.


EASTERN PROVINCE

A letter from Somerset district, published in the Cradock News says :-

We have had an abundance of rain lately, the large dam was full to overflowing for two days. On Thursday last, about nine o'clock in the evening, the mail cart was washed down in a small ravine between this place and Somerset. There were two passengers in the cart, when they found the horses going with the stream, they leaped from the back of the cart into the water, and by catching hold of some projecting bushes, they got out safely. They proceeded to the farm of Mr. VAN DEN FYVER on foot, where every attention was paid to their comfort. On the following morning the cart was found some thirty yards below the drift, turned upside down, the horses fortunately being still alive. The mail bag was found about 200 yards further down, the Cape Town packet was missing. It was a providential escape both for the passengers and post-boy.


DEATH OF MR. JOHN OWEN SMITH ;- It is our painful duty today to record the death by drowning, of Mr. John Owen SMITH, jun, which took place on the 26th March. Deceased was the second son of our fellow-townsman, Mr. John Owen Smith, and a partner in the firm of Messrs. John Owen Smith and Co., and was in his 26th year. His untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire community. - PE. Telegraph.

The District-Surgeoney of Fort Beaufort, vacated by the removal of Dr. WILLIAMS, has been filed by Dr. BENBOW.

SOMETHING NEW IN COLONIAL PRODUCE :- A sample of washed Fingo wool has been sent us by Mr. McGILLEWIE, of Alice, and now lies for inspection at this office. The wool itself is of no great value, but the sample shows the excellent manner in which the wools are turned out of hand at his establishment. It is well worthy the notice of our farmers.

SHOCKING SUICIDE OF AN OFFICER :- A most melancholy case of suicide occurred on the 18th, within a short distance of Port Elizabeth. The victim was Adjutant CRAIG, of the 10th Regiment, who arrived here but a short time since from Cape Town. He was under orders for Graham's Town and on Monday morning last, previous to starting  for that place, it was noticed that his mind was somewhat deranged.
However, nothing serious was anticipated in consequence, and towards the afternoon he, together with his lady and a male and female servant, left in a mule waggon for Graham's Town - the servant riding his masters horse and the master remaining inside the waggon with his wife. When they had got near the first creek the deceased declared that he would commit suicide, and attempted to leave the waggon, but was held back for a time by his wife and the female  servant. After a struggle he overpowered them, got out of the waggon, and tried to open two of his boxes, and failing in this he smashed in one and took out a razor. He then walked away from the waggon, taking off, as he proceeded along, his coat and waistcoat, till he came to the bank of the creek, when he stood still and deliberately cut his throat and his body fell forward into the water. The man-servant, who had witnessed the whole proceeding without any attempt to prevent it, then rode into town
to report the sad occurrence, and the coloured man belonging to the waggon ran to a house at a short distance and informed Mr. C. FULLER of what had taken place, who ran into the water and dragged out the unfortunate young man, but his life was already extinct. An examination of the body was made by a medical man as soon as it was brought into the town, who, we hear, gave it as his opinion that the cut itself would not have caused death, but that it was caused by drowning. Lieutenant CRAIG, was married only about a month ago at the Cape, and has left a young widow to mourn his premature death.


BURGHERSDORP : - There have been very abundant rains lately, and a portion of the out-houses on the premises of Mrs. KOLBIE were thrown down by the rain.

GRAAFF-REINET.: - We regret to hear that as Mr. ESSEX, sen, was mounting his horse, before he got himself properly seated in the saddle, the horse suddenly set off, throwing him heavily on the ground and for a time, great apprehensions were felt that he had received some serious injury, but we are very glad  to hear, that, with the exception of a few bruises and a severe shaking, his injuries are not serious.

A new bank, called the Colesberg Bank, was announced with a capital of 25,000pounds in 20pound shares.


NATAL

Natal has been favoured with a visit from one of those ubiquitous individuals known as London detectives. The person of whom he was in search arrived in the colony by the Lady of the Lake, and again speedily took a free passage, in company with his captor, by the Waldensian, which sailed on the 12th April. The name of the party thus captured in Ernest BRAWN, his alias in Natal being PARKER. For 15 years he had held an office of great trust in the  house of Julius Bordier and Co., of London. The warrant for his apprehension is dated Jan. 22, 1861, and charges him with embezzlement , in 1859, of four separate sums of 1,000pounds, although it is understood larger amounts are involved ; his re-appearance, however, is, we are informed, more urgently sought for in consequence of certain information which he can give regarding other important transactions. Since his arrival in Natal, Mr. Brawn, who is a man apparently about 40, had been seeking employment as
an accountant. We have heard it mooted whether a simple English warrant can be legally enforced in Natal, without an order from the Secretary of State to the local authorities having been first obtained.

An old Dutch Boer, named De LANGE, upwards of seventy years of age, has been tried at Ladysmith for murder, he having deliberately shot a native in the Klip River district. By jury of his own country men he was found guilty, and a sentence of death was accordingly passed upon him.

DE LANGE'S EXECUTION : - The inexorable demands of British justice have met with a melancholy sacrifice since the last mail left. De Lange, the grey headed and white bearded Dutchman, who was found guilty of the murder of a native, has been hanged at Ladysmith. The unfortunate man was commiserated by every one. His age and degeneracy called forth the pity that his crime instinctively forbade. Powerful intercessions in his behalf were made to the Governor, both by his aged wife and by other influential persons. The circumstances, however, were too glaring, and the necessity for stern justice too imperative to justify a reprieve. De Lange has been executed, and the strict impartiality of the British Government strikingly exhibited in the eyes of all coloured tribes. So strong was the feeling of revulsion entertained in the neighbourhood at the ignominious execution of so old a man - the first Dutchman who entered Natal - that Ladysmith was deserted during
the event and scarcely a solitary white man beheld the appalling spectacle. In consequence  of the rope breaking, the process had to be twice performed by the inefficient hangman. May our annals never again be stained by the record of such a dreadful tragedy.


BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS

BIRTHS

Mar. 24, at Natal, the wife of the Rev. S. McKINNEY, of a daughter
Apr. 2, at Natal, the wife of Mr. George KNOX, of a son
Apr. 3, at Graham's Town, the wife of Mr. Charles H. MORGAN, of a son
Apr. 4, at Graham's Town, the wife of Mr. J. AYLIFF, of a daughter
Apr. 7, at Durban, the wife of Mr. W. COWEY, of a son
Apr. 13, at Graham's Town, the wife of Assistant Commissary-General  C.W. GICHBAUM, of a son

MARRIAGES

Mar. 20, at Graham's Town, Mr. P. AMM, sen, to Mrs. Mary WEDDERBURN, of Linsdale, daughter of T.C. CROFT.
Mar. 21, at St. Mary's Church, Port Elizabeth, by the Rev. E. Pickering, Charles Henry MAYNARD, eldest son of Charles Maynard, of Cleveland Square, to Frances Margaret, daughter of William FLEMING, of Port Elizabeth.
Mar. 21, at Cape Town, Louis J. CANVIN, to Helen Margaret, daughter of Daniel MILLS.
Apr. 4, at Graham's Town, A. R. MONTFORD, to Emma Frances, daughter of F. CARLISLE.

DEATHS

Mar. 14, at Port Elizabeth, Mr. J.R. SHEPPARD, aged 25 years
Mar. 25, at Fort Beaufort, Mrs. Ann STRINGFELLOW, wife of the Commissioner and Resident Magistrate
Mar. 25, at Port Elizabeth, John, brother of W. ROUPELL
Mar. 26, at Kram Valley,  Mr. Leopold Johannes VAN WYK, aged 31 years
Mar. 26, at Port Elizabeth, drowned while bathing, John Owen Smith, jun, aged 26 years
Apr. 2, at Wooldridge, the wife of Mr. W. HUNTER , aged 31 years
Apr. 3, at Natal, Mary W. infant daughter of the Rev. S. McKENAC
Apr. 5, at Graham's Town, Mr. Phillip KING, aged 74 years
Apr. 7, at King William's Town, the infant son of Mr. BEDLEY, aged 1 year and 8 months
Apr. 7, at Mowbray, Mr. C. MOSTERT, jun, aged 49 years
Apr. 10, at Cape Town, Mr. Joseph SOLOMAN, aged 77 years
Apr. 10, at Springbok Fontein, Mr. N. FACEN, aged 39 years
Apr. 11, at Port Alfred, the wife of Mr. George JARVIS, aged 31 years.

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