(
.
MUST confess that of all I'll appoint you a deacon
tho picturosquo flgureB It i cnurcn
has boon my happy lot to
meet during tho courao of
my 12 yeara of world-wan
derlng, nono stands bo
prominontly In my recol
lections as MaJ. C.J. Uobb,
member of tho British
army and companion of
tho Distinguished Service
order, and now nn assist
ant game warden in Drlt-
Isli East Afrlcn.
1 first saw tho major In South Af
rica, and I got to know him, na few
other men know him, whilo we wore
both serving tho British EaBt African
government. This friendship between
us Is one, for my own part, which
years can not lessen.
What a history tho man has back
of his forty-odd years! What a name
ho has won for himself on tho Mold
of battle and In pollco duties! It
Beems almost Impossible to tell all ho
lias aeen, accomplished and eiidurcd.
Perhaps one day somo one will ven
turo to record In book form tho many
duodB of daring this frail-looking Aus
trniian has to his credit. It would bo
b mighty task, but tho result should
bo worthy of tho effort, for I know of
no man who has more matorlal to
draw upon, vivid truc-to-llfo happen
ings In a varied career of excite
ment. Hobb was born In Australia way
'back In the RovontleB or may bo tho
mlxtles. Emigrating to America when
iBtlll n boy. he held first ono post
end tlifn another, until finally ho drift
ed to Canada and enlisted In tho
world fnmouB Canadian mounted po
lice. Sometimes, If you cau get him Into
a talkatlvo mood, ho will toll you of
riding many miles to capturo danger
ous criminals single-handed. Ross tells
with a ninllo that ho waB nover known
to fall on 'no of theso hazardouo un
dertakings If you look at his face,
jrou can understand why thiB 1b bo.
It Is not easy to get him to talk, but
fortunately his record Is no well
known that It Is not n difficult matter
to gather material on his lite.
I remember pno day when wo went
In camp together In East Africa
keeping law and ordor In a now din
tnond field rush, which turned out a
fizzle Robb began to talk after din
.nor of BomiM of his ndventurca with
tho gun-men and illicit liquor men In
fho northwest of Canada.
Ho told ub of one day capturing a
band of four bandltr., who wero noto
rious for tho number of men thoy
.had killed. Roes was sent out with
h trooper to cap'.uro them alive If poo-
Bible. Ye gods! think of ltl Two
xnou to capturo tho four worst men
In Canada) Tho two men rodo across
tho plaluB for several days until
thoy finally camo upon tho camp of
tho baudltB.
"Wo cot 'em." ended Robb. Be
ing pressed for further particulars, ho
reluctantly told ub a few details of
tho capture.
"Our arrival was a surprise," ho
continued. "I walked Into their camp
accompanied by ray trooper. Nolthor
of ua had drawn a gun. Bandits or
do bandits, they all know tho can't
fool tho N. W M. l'ollco. Ono darn
ed fool drew a gun but I'm mighty
quick with my pea-shooter and winged
Mm. The others submitted, nnd wo
brought 'em back to tho t.hlof. It
was sure some Bott snap, that. Tho
poor fellow I had shot wns hurled
where ho fell by hla comrades Thoy
didn't like doing It, but n Blx-ahonter
covering you mnkeQ n man do what
he's ordered. Loastwlne, It always
hate In my experiences."
It ts only by looking into hla eyes
and catching the lines of hla mouth,
hidden partially by 2n 2hoavy mus
tache, that one can read that behind
this hardened cxtorlor lurks a hoart
full of kindness for a comrade In dis
tress. Strango to relato ho is a pow
er with women. All women Ilka him,
and ho himself loves tho socloty of
tho gentler sex. In tho summer of
1010 Ross was happily married In Lon
don and hats taken hla wife back to
East Africa with him. Many a fair
lady's heart will ho jealous of tho
woman who has become Mrs, Ross,
Ono day, when riding togethoi
across tho Athl Plains, Ross told mo
that ho had spent somo years In
Utah I asked him If ho was a
Mormon.
"Sure thing, oung follcr. I'm a bish
op In tho church." he laughed, and the
merry twlnklo In his oyo warned mo
that a llttlo coaxing might bring out
a good story. And presently ho
told me about hla stay In Snlt Lake
City.-
"I gotten run out of thoro. I mlV
romembor what for. Tho Mormon re
ligion is sure somo fine thing. AH
your wives save up all tho yollor-leg-ged
chickens to try nnd coax you to
fuvor them. 1 don't bellevo In no suf
fragette; Mormon ladles for nilno.
Sayvl guess you bettor Join that out
fit. All you gotta do Is to stand up
ono day In tho Tabornnclo and an
uounco that you've had a rovolatlon
for Sister Jajio, and she becomes n
number five or whatever nuinbor is
next vacant In your catalogue. I uro
had somo mighty fine rovolatlon in
Salt Luke City. Say, young feller,
But somohow I felt 1 wns being
"Joshed," for tho twlnklo in Robs' eyes
belled his words. But over aftor ho
called mo "Deacon." I often wonder
whothcr ho told his brido about his
Mormon proclivities. 1 rather fancy
ho would, for ho wns not a man to
hldo a Joke, nor to hide a truth.
Aftor leaving tho northwost mount
ed police, Ross camo back to tho
States and enlisted, after naturaliz
ing, for somo Indian campaign. Ho
also fought through tho Red River
war, Ills career waB varied to a
mnrkod degrco until tho South Afri
can war broke out.
Rosb Joined tho Canadian mounted
rifles and went out to South Africa
with them as a trooper. Ho saw con
siderable service with them, but event
ually cot Into troublo through an ex
ceslve fondness for looting He was
dropped from tho forco und Im
mediately went to Pretoria and Jolnod
another Irregular corps bb a lieuten
ant. His wonderful scouting and dar
ing earned for him tho notlco of
Lord Kitchener. As a result of an
Interview with tho great British gen
eral, Robb was empowered to ralfio an
Irregular corps of cavalry. Ho call
ed the Canadian Mounted Scouts. So
waa bom a llttlo corps which wrote
Its namo big In tho annals of tho
grcateBt war of modern times.
Rosb gathered together a number
of kindred spirits and scon had a (reg
intent of scouts which would bo hard
to equal, lot alono boat. Thoy wero all
men who had traveled tho world In
soarch of adventure, men who faced
death dally with unflinching oyco, and
who know no hardship too difficult to
enduro or overcome. With such ma
torlal Is It to bo wondered at that the
Canadian Mounted Scouts wero soon
hoard of?
Thoy fought In every part of tho
TranBvnal, Orango River Colony, and
Capo Colony. Tho Boers trembled at
tho mere mention of tho namo of
Ross. It would tako n book to wrlto
tho hlBtory of their deeds of marvel
ous daring. Thoy UBed no kid gloves
in their warfaro, cither.
Porhaps tho mostfamouB episode In
their adventurous exploltB wna tho
shooting of 15 Boer prisoners, whom
they had captured when wearing the
British uniform. This act was agnlnst
all usages of modern warfaro, und In
doflanco of tho actB of Tho Hague' and
Gonova; tho Boors wero Hablo for
tholr breach of law to bo trlod by
drumhead court-martial, with doathaB
tho penalty If found guilty.
Robh 1b a man of quick action. Ho
had caught tho men In tho act of
crime and wearing tho uniforms. That
was enough. Ho. dispensed with tho
drumhend court-martial and sentenced
thum to death by shooting. Ho se
lected threo of hia most trusted fol
lowers to aaBlBt him In tho execution
of thb Boers. Thon ho sent In tho
remainder of his regiment, warning
them to tako no notlco of any shooting
thoy might hoar In tho courso of tho
next few minutes. Ho waited until
thoy wero out of sight and then turned
to tho cowering Boors.
I wlBh that 1 could ronroduco tho
story of tho subsequent events with
tho vivid detail and quaint phraseol
ogy UBcd by Rosa when telling mo tho
Btory. Ho speaks with a drawl nnd
pronounced American accent.
"Say, you gol-durned dotfs," Ross
aald to thorn, "I've caught you with
tho goods on you, and you got to ante
up. I'll glvo you Just five minutes to
mako your ponce with your Creator,
and thou I'll pass you out. I guess
tho good God wor.'t listen to such ver
min na you, but I'm gamo to let you
try your hand at It. Utop lively now
with them petitions to your Kood
Makor!"
With a revolvor In each hand and
hla threo men covering tho 15 prison
ers with their guns, Robs counted out
tho minutes. Tho Boers had not yet
realized that ho was In enrncat aud
stood watching him anxiously.
"Ono mora minute and out you got!"
Rosa snappod at them as ho finished
counting off four minutes. Ho step
ped toward tho first man nnd hold his
revolver at tho man's hoad. Tljo
Boor cowered back and began to beg
for morcy.
"Cut out that woman business;"
commanded Ross. "I gueaa tho good
Cod won't llston to you, and, if he
won't you can't expoct mo to. Tlmo
upl Horo'a whoro you go to soo your
God, If ho'll boo you, which I doubtB."
Bang! wont tho rovolvor, and tho
man sank doad at tho major's feet.
Ono after tho other, ho sont thorn on
tholr way Into tho "Grcnt Unknown."
Tho work completed, Rosa and his
man mounted their horses nnd rodo at
a gallop aftor tholr reglmont,
Tho story loakod out, and Ross waB
Bent for by Lord Kitchener at
Pretoria. No record of thta mooting
Is obtainable, and Robs will not speak
if It. At lonst hla offense did not
Interforo, Inter on, with Rosa' bo
Ing appointed a companion of tho Dis
tinguished Sorvico order, which ranks
next to tho Victoria Cross.
Another story told about Major
Robb, which I happon to know to bo
truo In evory detail, Is that when rid
ing Into Protorla ono mornlntf from
an expodltlou aftor a Boor commando,
(TVtHMfT u wtoK to
In the his llttlo column was mlatakon for a
party of Boors by a British garrison
artillory battery of 4.7 guns In ono of
tho hills guarding tho capital. Tho
shells foil wide nnd thU fact Irritated
Robb. Ho loft tho column In churgo of
his Becond In command and rodo at a
gallop towurd thn hill from which tho
bnttcry was firing. Oblivious to shot
and shall, Ross rodo right to tho sum
mit of tho hill, luckily arriving un
scathed. "Who's tho gol-durncd fool In com
mand of this outfit?" to shouted to tho
aBtonlshod gunnors.
A young artillory lieutenant camo
forward and saluted tho major. Tho
senior eyed tho younger man
sternly.
"That tho best practice you and
your fools can mako?" he Inquired
with deep disgust. "I'll report you
for bad shooting when 1 got into Pro
torla. Maybe tho general will lot you
hear from him, I guess you had bet
ter go back to school, young man,
for your education has been sadly
neglected." '
Ross wheeled his horse and clat
tered down the hill again to rejoin his
command. For many a long day tho
lieutenant will suffer from tho Kibes
of his brother officers, and the men of
tho bnttery will probably never re
cover tholr Belf-respect.
Ross camo out of tho Boor war with
a remarkable record behind him und
with the undying admiration nnd
friendship of Lord Kitchener and oth
er generals. His 1b a namo to con
Juro with. Tho Boers feared him to
a marked degree, so much so that
when largo parties of them camo up
to East Africa to Bettlo after tho
war and learned that Robs was an
official, they told the governor that
they wero afraid to sottlo in tho same
country with Ross. But they havo
learned that tho major In war and tho
major In peace are two entirely differ
ent people. Tho EaBt African Boora
have long lost all fear of him and
now look upon him as tholr friend
and brother
I think I am correct in saying that
Major Ross is tho only naturalized
American who is a retired major of
tho BrltlBh army, a companion of the
coveted Distinguished Servico ordor,
nnd nn uctlng official of tho British
Colonial government service This
nlono proves In what high esteem he
is held by tho British government.
Aftor tho Boer war was over, Ross
fought for a' tlmo in tho Somallland
war of 1902-1904 as an officer with
tho Boor contingent of mounted In
fantry. Then ho camo up to East Af
rica and went on a trading and elephant-hunting
trip into German East
Africa. His llfo thero Is somewhat
Bhrouded In mystery. All I have oVer
been ablo to ascertain about It Is
that ho shot a largo number of ele
phants, secured n grant of land, and
sot up a trading storo at ono of the
German stations, Bukoga, I bellevo, on
tho Victoria lnko.
Howovor, ho managed to fall afoul
of tho Gorman authorltloa, and ho was
expelled from tho territory and hia
laud confiscated. By all ec-
rcountB, ho was very harshly and undo-
Borvedly used. When his royal high
noBB tho duko of Connaught was vis
iting East Africa In 190C, Major Rosa
camo to mcot him at Klsumu on tno
Victoria lako by tho duke's special
request. Thoy had a long talk and
tho duko promised to tako up hia
caso ngalnat tno German colony on
his return to London.
Shortly afterward, as a result of
tills meeting, Major Ross waB appoint
ed assistant gamu warden of tho East
African Protoctorato. No more fit
ting work could havo beon found for
him, and ho has earned a great namo
for his rigid enforcement of tho gamo
protection lawa. Woo bctldo tho man
who to bold enough to break the gamo
regulations, for ho will havo to an
swer to Major Robs nnd tho courts
of justlco as suro as hla uame is
what It la.
Day after day Rosb rides tho plains
and gamo roBorvos in search of law
breakers. Ho thinks nothing of cover-
lug 50 miles a day. Ho carries his
food and blankets on hla saddle, and
sleeps under a troo, In a uatlvo hut,
or, If lucky, at a farmhouso. Ho enrea
nothing for tho danger of attack from
prowling beasts of tho Junglo or tur
bulent uutlves, or from tho hardships
of exposure. Ho spells duty with a
very big capital D.
On one occasion, tho atory goes that
ho rodo" by moonlight from Fort Hall
in tho Konka district to Nairobi a
dlstnnco of G4 miles! When about
half way, ho was hold up on tho plains
by throo lions. Ross Bays that ho had
much difficulty In keeping his pony's
hoad on to tno uoiib, but eventually
tho lions tired of stalking him nnd
turnod their attontloii3 to somo zebra
which Rosb could hear noar by. it
wasn't a very pleasnnt.oxperlenco, but
Rosa laughs at It. Ho callB tho threo
lions In quostlon, "Gol-durnod pesky
curlouB critters "
At hla house In Nairobi ho kopt for
a loug tlmo a tamo Hon, much to the
terror of Itinerant natives. Ho sayo
that it was tho best "watch dog" ho
ovor owned, and claims that whon all
tho othor bungalows In his vicinity
were favored by burglars, his house
escaped attention. Which U not at
all surprising under tho circum
stances I think that few men havo had taoro
Interesting und exciting experiences
with big gamo than Major Robs, yet
ho will not talk about them, for he
Is a very modest man, totally unawnro
of hla own sterling qualities. His
work carries him continually among
tho denizens of forest and plain, and
few men know tho habits and traits
of tho wild game In "Naturo's Zoo"
better than Ross.
I feol rather like tolling talcs out of
school by narrating tho following llt
tlo story of Rosa. It Is so typical of
tho groat, big, boyish heart of tho
man, that I can not refrain from tell
ing It.
It bo happened that Rosa foregath
ered with threo other Amerlcaus In
Nairobi to celebrato Independence
day. They had a very lively dinner,
nnd afterward proceeded to loose off
steam by firing off a number of crack
ers and rockotB. Tiring of this tamo
pastime, they started In to turn Nai
robi Into a "Wild West" town by
shooting out tho street lamps from tho
veranda of tho hotel. This sport soon
palled, and they wont for a walk down
town with tho object of seeking now
fields of enjoyment. They happened
to pass tho bank and saw tho win
dow open, and a Parseo clerk working
at a ledger under a light.
Tho temptatiou waa too strong for
Ross and his three American compan
ions. Thuy lit somo crackers and
throw thorn Into tho bank building
through tho open window. Tho clerk
mistook them for bombs and rushed
out, shouting "Murder!" Tho negro
constable on the beat below blew his
whistle for help, and tho barracks be
ing close at hand, soon had somo 'JO
dusky policomeu respond to tho
"alarm" call. In tho general mix-up,
and to avoid arrest for their prank,
Ross aud his companions roughly han
dled tho policemen and put them to
flight.
I happened to bo In command of tho
police at Nairobi, and soon camo upon
the scene in answer to a telophono
call. I arrested tho four practical jok
ers for "disturbing tho peace" aud
"reBlsting a police officer in the exe
cution of his duty." They wero all
released on ball, and subsequently
stood their trial before tho sessions
judge and a white jury.
Tho jury, In tho face of tho weight
of evidence, brought In a verdict of
not guilty, and all wore acquitted.
Rosa mado an ample apology to all
concerned for hla share In tho es
capade, and laughingly told me that
he thought It pretty hard that a good
American could not enjoy his national
holiday without bolng arrested.
When Colonel Roosevelt visited
East Africa he met Major Ross, and
the two men found much In common.
At tho banquet glvon In Nairobi to tho
ox-presldent, Major Rosa was selected
to present a rhlnoceros-fcot box to
tho distinguished visitor ns a token of
regard from tho Americana In tho
colony. In a short speech at tho pre
senstatlou, Major Ross, to every ono's
keen delight and particularly that of
Colonel Roosevelt, repeatedly referred
to the famous hunter as "Colonel
Rosenfolt." In his roply tho colonel
roferred to tho many years Major
Ross had spent In America and par
ticularly In the west, saying that they
were both "pretty good Rocky moun
tain men."
It Is somewhat surprising to think
how this man of many weird experi
ences and continuous adventure has
settled down to his official llfo in
Eaat Africa. See him in his spotless
white duck government uniform with
his breast glittering with his four or
ders and medals, and you will hard
ly credit that this Is tho man whoan
reckless darlug and quick-handed met
ing out of JubUco In tho Boor war sot
all tho British army talking.
See him as I havo seen him, clad
In evening dress at a government
house function, smoking n short plpo,
and you may laugh for a moment be
cause he looks llko a duck out of wa
ter. But you will not laugh long, for
you will quickly recognlzo that hero
1b a MAN. It Is becaUBo ho Is pre
eminently a man that ho la a leader
among men,
Tho spirit of tho rover of tho plains
nnd tho sookor after adventure Is
strong within him, and It Is plain to
tho naked eye. Ho Is no social mlmlo
of civilized customs. He Is not pol
ished, his hands aro not manicured,
hlB faco Is not massaged, his clothes
aro anything but fashlonablo, but ho
cares not, and after a few minutes'
conversation with him you do not
enro olther.
Again, seo him playing with chil
dren, as I havo seen him, laughing
and hnppy, and you will begin to un
derstand that though u man may be
quick to snuff out a llfo when It is
necessary, this does not Imply that ho
1b heartless or cruel. No man who can
look at Ross when ho Is playing with
hla llttlo children friends, can bo
cruel or hoartlesa.
But Ross will toll you that It Is
somotlmoa lmporntlvo to carry a gun,
and If you do so It Is essential that
you can shoot straight and be quicker
on tho trigger thau tho other man. As
he onco naively told mo, "Shoot
quick and straight. Tho last man In
gets tho full servico aud won't want
no othor."
Ono day tho restless spirit within
hlB gaunt, tall, weathor-boaten framo
will bid him pack up his traps and go
forth again to freah adventures. Tho
llfo Is too alluring to bo loft alono for
long. When that spirit movos Rosa
ngaln, things will happen. Things
havo a way of happening when he
la around.
nut for tho momont ho has settled
down to a homo llfo with a wife, and
maybo with a son to rear up to fol
low In hla footstops. But I do not
think that ho will stay content for
long In civilization.
Wnp'illllPI
NEW PRECEPTOR FOR THE TRUSTS
"Oh, yes; it's an old story to mo.
And speaking, of courso, only for my
self, I regard It as a plain subterfugo
which deserves nn expeditious com
mitment to tho scrap-heap."
This statement, made by James C.
McReynolds clghteon months ago,
when ho wns asked If ho had aeon tho
plan for tho dissolution of tho To
bacco Trust, thon just published,
gives a pretty definlto Idea of tho
new attorney general's point of view
regarding tho enforcement of tho
Sherman anti-trust law and methods
of disintegration that havo prevailed
in tho past. ,.,,,.
Mr. McReynolds had conducted tho
fight against the Tobacco Trust from
its inception nnd had carried it to tho
point whoro tho combination waB Me
nounend by tho Supremo court and
'tho circuit court In Now York waB di
rected to bring about "a now condi
tion In harmony with and not repug
nant to the law."
This was tho first caso In which the courts woro called upon to work out
a dissolution plan and It becamo incumbent upon tho American Tobacco com
pany, through Its lawyers, to propose something that would be acceptable
to the government and tho court.
Tho plan presented to tho court for discussion In open session wns not
what tho trust's lawyers had started out to get. and even after that Mr. Wick
ersham, at the suggestion of tho Independents, had somo matorlal alterations
mado, but tho cascntial feature to which Mr. McReynolda had particularly
objected common ownership of the companiea which woro to tako ovor tho
segregated assets was still tho central point.
PRESIDENT P01NCARE A REMARKABLE MAN
M. Polncnro, France's now presi
dent, is a remarkable man. -Ho has
held cabinet ofllco on four occasions.
Besides this his efforts in behalf of
International world peace havo been
recognized by all tho powers. It Is
admitted that ho Is a statesman, be
cause ho abandoned a lucrative law
practice to accept the position of a
cabinet minister at a salary of $10,000
a year. Ho Is an eloquent speaker,
is recognized as a man of sterling
character, has a keen sense of humor,
and all theso qualities combine to
mako him tho ono man who could
head the present cabinet of former
prime ministers.
Every Parisian knows tho story
of tho 25 centimes nickel pleco, which
Is equivalent to tho American 5 cent
coin. It was extromoly unpopular
and no government had been able to
support it. When Polncaro went into
office tho atory about this pleco was
brought before him and ho said: "Just leave It to mo."
This same nickel pleco is now ono of tho most popular money pieces In
France. Somo ono got out a story that "Rothschild" had been engraved in
tiny letters on several of tho coins and that tho first ono who presented ono
at tho Rothschild bank would receive $5,000. Of course thero was no truth
In the story. No ono has ever accused M. Polncare of having circulated the
story, hut nevertheless this simple llttlo circumstance made the premier ex
tremely popular.
PREDICTS UNION OF ALL RELIGIONS
A worldwldo propaganda that has
for Its aim and object the education
of people" In tho need and advantage
of a unified, amalgamated church
ono that shall embrace all creeds and
beliefs and nationalities is In prog
ress. It Is bolng carried on In Chi
cago, is this propaganda, and Bishop
Charles P. Anderson of the Protestant
Episcopal church la ono of the propa
gandists. As tho first step toward unifica
tion of tho world's different religious
beliefs it has been proposed to hold
a conference at which all religions
will bo represented. The ono great
object of this conforenco will bo to
discuss tho question in a calm, dis
passionate manner and to seo if somo
understanding cannot bo arrived at.
"It is apparent to any ono who!
gives tho question serious thought."
said Bishop Anderson, "that tho old
time animosity between tho different
churches is dying out. Tho trend of
oventB 1b toward a universal church. Christian religion ahould bo organized.
"It haa been proposed to hold this conference, at which representatives
of all Christian bodies shall bo present. Tho object of tho conferenco will bo
to consider tho difficulties In tho way and to seo If they cannot bo related and
reconciled."
1 H
GARRISON THINKS ARMY PLAN WRONG
"Tho presont system of punishing
desertion from the army Is as bad as
the old English laws fixing tho death
ponalty for 160 offonses." said Secre
tary Garrison of the war department
tho othor day, In discussing a pro
posal to mako desertion In 'tho army
a misdemeanor and not a crime.
Secretary Garrison Is In favor of
a proposition which would abolish the
purely statutory criminality of desor
tlon In tlmo of peace. For any obli
gation by tho enlisted man, violation
of which must be treated as a crlmo
and punished accordingly, would bo
substituted a purely contractual obli
gation. Dosortlon In tlmo of peace
would bo treated as a mtsdomennor.
Stops would bo taken to surroiind tho
subsequent civil employment of a de
serter with certain hazards designed
lo discourage desertion aud to pro
mote tho fulfillment of his obligation
to tho United Stntos, oven aftor deser
tion. These penalties should bo mild.
Tho practice of making a Jail bird of a man who had committed no actual
crime, of placiug a prlco of $50 on his head and of discouraging by the pros
pect of imprisonment ns a felon, tho voluntary roturn of a deserted, all
would bo discontinued.
Tho war secretary bolloves that reform In tho present method of dealing
with tho deserters would not only obviate many Instancos of uravo injustice,
but would dlmlulsh tho difficulties of recruiting.
T -.-, . Mem
,'-
f ' j)WG
vmw ni tmWMvw&r
