The North Borneo Herald. MONDAY, 1st JUNE 1885 AMOK IN THE KAWANG RIVER, DEATH OF CAPTAIN DE FONTAINE, DR. FRASER, AND JEMADHAR ASA SINGH.

THE NORTH BORNEO HERALD

AND

THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

EDUCATIONAL SERIES BY BORNEO HISTORY

No. IV. - VOL.III SANDAKAN, MONDAY, 1st JUNE 1885

The North Borneo Herald.

MONDAY, 1st JUNE 1885

AMOK IN THE KAWANG RIVER, DEATH OF CAPTAIN DE FONTAINE,

DR. FRASER, AND JEMADHAR ASA SINGH.

THE Government launch '' Kimanis" arrived at Sandakan before daybreak on the 15th May, from the West Coast, bringing the most sad and unexpected intelligence of an emeute in the Kawang river, in the vicinity of Papar, resulting in the loss of valuable lives. It appears that on the 10th instant Resident Davies, Captain de Fontaine, Dr. Fraser, Assistant Resident Little, and Mr. J. E. J. Wheatley with a party of Constabulary arrived at Kawang, which was selected as the most direct and  convenient point of departure for an expedition to the village of a Murut chief, one Pandurong.

Messengers were at once sent to Papar to bring in 50 Dusuns to act as baggage carriers for the party, but only 30 came, and the Bajow headmen of Kawang were asked to supply the deficiency. The headmen reluctantly promised to use their influence, but it was plain that the service was very unpopular with the people, and thereupon the Resident announced that a fine would be imposed if the requisition were not complied with. The Bajows of the coast are noted cattle robbers and the Dusun carriers from Papar recognised a buffaloe which had recently been stolen and laid their case before the Resident who ordered the buffaloe to be returned to its owners. This action, though of course unavoidable, had a tendency to further augment the ill feeling brought about by the demand for baggage carriers. Amongst the Bajows were recognised the noted cattle thieves Sahat and Bagul Puteh.

Orang Kaya Awang, an agent of Pangeran Roup, who has been influenced against the Company's Government by persons in Brunei, was also seen going about amongst the villagers. He was an inhabitant of the Kinarut river, which is not under the Company's jurisdiction.

On the 12th instant as it was found impossible to obtain the required number of baggage carriers, it was proposed to defer the departure of the expedition pending further communication with Papar. The stores were ordered to be put bark in the house of the Datu of the village and the men of the Constabulary were "dismissed".

The Europeans and the Officers of the Constabulary were standing about under a tree in a large plain near the village, when two men came up with muskets in their hands and entered into an apparently friendly conversation with Dr. Fraser. Without any warning, one of the men suddenly discharged his musket, killing the Doctor instantaneously, an alarm was occasioned, seven Bajows, friends of the two men alluded to: and including Orang Kaya Awang and the two cattle thieves above mentioned, at once amoked and speared fatally Jemadhar Asa Singh, Serjeant Major Narain Singh, and Private Jendah Singh, they then endeavoured to escape by rushing across the plain towards the jungle when Captain de Fontaine, in the most plucky manner pursued them. All this happened in the space of a few minutes only and no one had time to support Captain de Fontaine before he tripped up and fell on the ground, when the Bajows turned on him and inflicted no less than nine spear wounds on different parts of his body, three of his assailants falling, however, to his revolver. By this time the Sikhs, who were at some little distance off had seized their rifles and opened fire, killing three others of the Bajows and wounding the remaining two who succeeded in making good their escape to the jungle. Mr. Little, son of Dr. Little of Singapore, had at the commencement of the melee received a spear wound, penetrating the fleshy part of his arm and . slightly injuring his side. He disposed of his opponent with his revolver. None of the Bajow villagers took part in the disturbance, with the exception of the nine: amokers and consequently no punishment was inflicted on the village; but the chief Datu Dullah accompanied the Resident to Gaya. It was found that 8 privates were wounded, some of them severely.

They together with Captain de Fontaine were at once sent down river and put on board the "Kimanis" which set off for Sandakan, touching at Gaya where Mr. Whitehead, a gentleman travelling in North Borneo most kindly accompanied the wounded, and attended Captain de Fontaine and his men with unsparing attention. Notwithstanding the care and attention of Dr.Walker and of many sympathising friends Captain de Fontaine succumbed to his wounds on the evening of the 17th, the sad news being received with the deepest sorrow and regret by all classes,the deceased having been an universal favourite.

On the evening of the 18th the body was buried' in the European cemetery, the Governor reading the service for the dead. The funeral was attended by all the Resident Europeans and the Officers of the steamers " Banca " and "Royalist" The flags on board the steamers and on the Government Staffs were flown at half mast. From the latest reports we learn that the wounded Sikhs are doing as well as can possibly be expected.

Until further intelligence is received it is 'impossible to say whether the treacherous attack was premeditated or whether, as some think, the first gun went off by accident, giving rise to the panic which has had such sad results, under the circumstances therefore we deem it right to refrain from comment.

-/sj