|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Louwrens Bushman Murders 1862 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To end this story, here is a contemporary English newspaper report which adds further details of the event.. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cape Monitor, Saturday June 14, 1862 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shocking Murders Near Beaufort West | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terrible Condition of the Country | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beaufort West, 26 May 1862 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I have just returned here from a trip across the Zak River, and have come into possession of the following information, which shows a lamentable state of things throughout this part of the country, and which I shall describe in a few hurried lines to you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A few days since I mentioned the circumstances of a murder that took place between this and the Orange River. From what I have since been able to gather, it seems that the murdered man Lourens, had proceeded to a Bushman's "put" (well), where some of that fraternity had been for some time lying, and took possession of the water belonging to that party, refusing even to allow them to fill their cans, and compelled them to have recourse for water to drink to a sheep dam in which his family washed their linen, and which was often filled with soap suds. It appears also that he shot their dogs and acted in rather a tyrannical manner even to those who had assisted him. On the day of the murder - which must have been the second Sunday of the month as far as I can judge - after he had read or concluded his Sunday Services, he went out, accompanied by his son, daughter and a young servant maid. The first signs of danger were two arrows, one of which wounded him; on turning and going back, a bullet in the back between the two shoulders killed him. The bushmen then got hold of the daughter, who they must have used cruelly, as they first took her to an anteaters hole, and in spite of all her supplications, murdered her and then trampled her down in the hole. The son they wounded, but he succeeded in reaching the wagon. What became of the servant girl is not known. They then went to the wagon where Mrs Lourens, and another son were, and made them both fast and rifled the wagon. They released the women on condition that she would give them some brandy. Fortunately for her, there happened to be a can of brandy to give them, on receiving which they went a little distance to enjoy their drink leaving the woman at liberty, but taking her son with them intending to kill him. After drinking a little, they unbound the boy and sent him to his mother who was to get them some more brandy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mrs Lourens, with her son, and her other wounded child, managed to get away, and hid themselves for the night, when they set out for the Riet, the nearest place they could find refuge, or a human being, and this was about, if not more, than forty miles distant. In the night, on the road, the wounded boy died, and the poor woman, with now her only child, had to go on in fear and sorrow to Riet, which they reached in safety. It is said that the almost miraculous escape of this woman and her child was owing to the brandy which had made the brutes too incapable of looking for them till it was too late in the night to find a spoor. As soon as the news became known, a party left the Riet to look after the wagons and property left, and if possible to trace the murderers. They found the wagons plundered of every serviceable article, and all the stock, large and small, taken away. Following the spoor they came upon the murderers at a great distance form the scene of the murders, and in the centre of a very extensive flat. When the murderers saw the party approaching they prepared to receive them, by driving the sheep in a circle, the pack oxen and themselves occupying the centre. When the party came up, they found pits dug and mounds of earth thrown up, and behind each a Bushman or Hottentot. The party succeeded in retaking the sheep, but the felons got off with all of their booty, including a good supply of guns, lead, and powder belonging to the murdered man. This is the second murder that has taken place in that direction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The above is, I think, as correct a report as can be gathered out of the different contradictory statements of this unfortunate affair. Yesterday reports came in -which if true - and there is every reason to believe that are, although exaggerated in some instances, - it would appear that affairs are really assuming a serious aspect in this quarter. First, there is the report that three flocks of sheep belonging to two Bastards and a Kaffir, who are living not far from the Riet, have with their herds disappeared, and on the evening of the third day nothing but a dog of one of the herds had returned. The herds were of the family. Further, it is said that all of the stock of one Jan Bril, at Hartebeest Rivier, was driven off and the herds killed. Chase was made, but only the small stock, sheep and goats recovered. And lastly we learn that at Kantoor and Avekaputs, two places not sixteen hours ride from the village of Amandelboom, a party of Bushmen on Monday last succeeded in driving off every head of horned cattle grazing there. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As these two places were the only ones affording grazing for horned cattle during the severe drought, an immense number were congregated without any herder whatever in charge of them. It is supposed that there were about 300 there. The farmers of the Karroo Bergen and the Members of the Mission Station of Amandelboom are the principal sufferers. Three Dutch farmers of the name Brandt, it is stated, have lost in this case every head of horned cattle they were in possession of, and it seems that a number of others are in the same predicament. The extent of the losses is at present uncertain to ascertain. The apprehensions amongst parties who have relatives at a distance with their sheep are great - all communication with them being cut off, and whether we have to go one mile or a hundred we are compelled to foot it. Consequently we are unable to send for correct information or to assist those who are in need of help. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The above three cases I have selected from a number of reports that are going about as they seem to have some resemblance of the truth. I have used the word Bushman as the perpetrators of all these crimes and misdeeds; but I really believe, and it is the opinion of other well informed parties, that very few native bushmen are concerned in these crimes. They are believed to have been perpetrated by a set of well organised vagabonds who inhabit the colonial border of the Orange River, whose misdeeds and the impunity with which they are committed, is certainly not very creditable to any civilised government. They live without law and under no control, and whenever an opportunity offers as at present, are always ready to take advantage of the same. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rains have fallen in the Hantam and Roggeveldt, and towards the Orange River, but the West Nieuwelt, Zak River and Karreebergen is still without rain. The meeting for the Divisional Councils is to take place tomorrow, but very few will attend the different field cornets to vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Correspondent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 May 1862 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The original is in Afrikaans - translation by Roy Lourens who "guarantees" that it is about 99% correct | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||