Deadwood Camp Gedenksboek
De Krijgsgevangene No 7 newspaper
This document was sourced courtesy of "Government Archives in Jamestown " and Wilf Vevers
Translation to English via J Marsh
(Author's copyright reserved)
CONCERT! CONCERT!
For the benefit of the Boer Hospital Jamestown
by the Deadwood Camp Christy Minstrel Troupe
in the
Benevolent School Building
Jamestown
on
this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Under leadership of Mr F. J. PENN. Tickets
available from A.L. INNES, Photographer
and CHARLIE TAYLOR "At Home for PoWs"
IN FULL SWING
Te Huis(At Home)
FOR PRISONERS OF WAR
MARKET STREET JAMESTOWN
All Prisoners of War are assured a cordial welcome.
Refreshments at prices to suit the pockets of all.
Here is your opportunity to pass an hour "AT HOME".
NEWSPAPERS PERIODICALS and GAMES
of various sorts can always be indulged in.
SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION for weary
travelers from Camp, commodious,
clean and reasonable.
CHARLIE TAYLOR
Proprietor and manager
Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Tart and Pancakes
always in stock.
Boer-bread and Mosbolletjies a speciality.
We are sad to receive the news that Mrs Kruger, wife of our highly regarded President, has passed away. We express the thoughts of all when we share our deepest sympathy and empathy with the graying husband who must hear the sad news in a foreign land of the loss of a spouse who had stood so long by his side and whom he loved dearly.
A cable has been sent to His Honour sympathizing with his loss from all the PoWs on St. Helena.
We are told that all our officers will wear an armband of lamfer for a set period of time as a token of mourning.
*********************
Passed away in Jamestown, 30 July 1901 Mr Johannes Petrus Mostardt of the Bloemhof district at the age of 50.
There seems to be a feeling among many of us that we are wrong to amuse ourselves and find pleasure while the situation in our land is so dreadful. We cannot agree with this. How does it help our wives and children, how does it help our still-fighting fellowmen, if we sit here miserably sighing over our and their conditions? And even more: such sighing and always looking to the dark side, and never thinking about anything else - cannot do otherwise - than have a negative effect upon ourselves.
We know how rapidly our bodies weaken without enough exercise; and that exercising in only one discipline [direction] is also not sufficient for our bodies. Are our thoughts any different? We do not think so. It is urgently necessary that a stop be made to these dreary thoughts, even if they are fleeting, or else we risk descending into madness [kranksinnig] as we know has happened in more than one instance.
Let us then as far as possible seek to divert our thoughts, be it by talking with others about pleasant subjects or by attending concerts, debates or similar functions. Everybody can find pleasure in something, although we do not all find it in the same things. And believe me, brothers, the hours spent are not lost, as is opined by many.
The old English proverb contains much truth and we can do no better than to end with it. "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy."
We recently had the opportunity of visiting "At home for PoWs", opened in Jamestown by Charlie Taylor, and can in good conscience after our experience thereof recommend any PoW who goes to town to follow our example. Mr. Taylor has removed a long standing need, viz. the lack of a place where one could find a decent meal and a clean bed. He has the best and the cleanest and above all, charges reasonable rates.
Mr. Taylor has not only benefitted the visiting PoWs, but also those who are working in the town. Now they have a place where they can meet socially together in the evenings, page through a newspaper, play some card games and enjoy a lovely cup of tea or coffee. The result is that they no longer have to spend their leisure time in bars and other bad places so that in turn they save their money.
We wish Mr. Taylor all success in his daring undertaking and suggest that PoWs from both camps familiarize themselves with his location and stop over there.
One of our fellow PoWs has received a letter from Holland from Mr, H.J. Louw, former member of the City Council of Johannesburg. Mr. Louw left for Holland towards the end of February this year under the auspices of the "Welfare Commission for PoWs women and children in Johannesburg" in order to bring the needs of these prisoners to the attention of the Dutch people and to obtain gifts in order to relieve their plight. His Honour is holding meetings and writes further that he is being well-received and that people are being generous in their support of the cause for which he has been sent out.
He has assigned the administeration of monies to the Boers Comittee in Amsterdam. Their address is Nieuwe Heerengracht No 143 Amsterdam.
The parcels from the Cape Colony, which arrived here about five months ago but were not unloaded due to the Regulations resulting from the plague, have arrived again and have been unloaded. Some now strut in new clothes, or are smoking Afrikaans tobaccos again.
"NUT EN VERMAAK"
A special Smoking Concert was held last Saturday, given by the "Christy Minstrels" Society of which Mr. Penn is Chairman. The first half was filled in the usual way, with music etc. while the Minstrel Troupe provided the second half.
The Guitar Quartette which opened the concert was something new to us and was excellently played by Messrs. Bosman, Gosling, Gertenbach and Rossouw. They were called back twice for encores.
Both Commandant Smorenberg's singing of "Waarom?" and "Taffy" Borcherd's recitation of "Shamus O'Brien" were very well received.
The piece de resistance was a pantomime arranged by Mr Staas and very well played. We always expect something new and amusing from them and were in no way disappointed by "A sociable hour in a painters' studio". During the performance the orchestra (Messrs Bosman and Gosling on guitars; J.C. Bosman, violin; A. Raubenheimer, cornet; and Hennie Louw, piano) played pleasurable pieces.
On 27 July the annual general meeting took place wherein many matters of interest generated heated discussion.
Messrs Beunk, Mygind and Sausenthaler were replaced on the management by MessrsTeengs, Wapenaar y and Smorenberg while there is still a vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Penn.
This school was opened on 28th July 1900 through the efforts of Messrs. Eloff, Maartens and Te Boekhorst who together form the school commission. There were almost 400 people from all age groups, wishing to be taught many subjects, but there were only 30 slates and about 100 pencils.
This has finally become an ordinary school with equipment supplied by our friends in the Cape and especially in Holland and it is continuing to grow. Teaching is now offered from St. I up to and including St. VI in all the main subjects according to the School Guide of the Z.A.R.
* Pupil moved to another camp.
Inspection|Present|On the list|L.O.|Transferred|M.O|Transferred| 1 | 206 | 246 | 225| 117 |21 | 9 | Inspection 2 | 208 | 227 | 195| 122 |32 | 32 |
We cannot be held responsible for the feelings of our correspondents.
Deadwood Camp, 8 July, 1901
The editor of "De Krijgsgevangene"
Sir,
Just a few lines about some of our sportsmen. As You know we are simple farmers, not what you would call sportsmen, because we do not understand Cricket (sic) and Footbol (sic) and some of us reckon it is sinful to take part in such worldly pastimes, but it is a question of opinion because Jukskei and marbles [goen] are not seen as sinful because they are innocent amusement. Now to come to the point. Sometimes when some of our people are playing cricket and we walk over or near the field and the ball comes near us they shout "Uncle [Oompie] please throw that ball to us" or similar, well then we throw the ball to them. On another occasion when we are walking there and the ball comes close, we think to help them and stop the ball and throw it back, - especially when we see a fellow half killing himself chasing it - because when one of our sheep or cattle strays we are only too pleased if a man heads them off. And so we are disappointed when instead of the expected thanks the man starts shouting "Hey you miserable rustic [takhaar]", 'Bloody Fool', "Thor" or similar, "can't you leave the ball alone?"
That naturally makes us not feel good. And who is quite often the person who does this? A meaningless youngster who lazes about in the streets of some town [dorp]. And then this little man wants to tell us poor stupid farmers that he is the well brought up one!
No, Sir! - if this is the modern day upbringing then I will certainly not let my children use it, because one of the Boer understandings is that one of the first signs of good upbringing is polite and civilized language, especially towards greying elders. And sometimes when we are walking across the veld and get too close to the players without realizing it, then one will shout in a loud outburst, "can you not walk on the far side?" or similar, and utter all sorts of insults and names - you would think we were a bunch of Hottentots and they were the bosses. And if things go right the matter is actually the other way.
Fortunately, Sir, it does not apply to all the players, and I have often heard some of them opposing the others, and if we unwittingly stop their ball and they tell us politely to please not do that again, and ask us nicely to walk further away rather than across their field; players should then hear the words of the well-brought up among them and heed their advice.
With thanks in anticipation I call myself
NEEF PIET
{There is much truth in this letters, but audi alterem partem - hear both sides. Many walk deliberately across the field of play, and do what they can to hinder the players. They also use insulting language. A bit of accommodation and better manners from both sides would make the matter more pleasant.}
The "Christy Minstrel Troupe", under the leadership of Mr F.J. Penn, will hold concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday coming, for the benefit of the Boer Hospital and various local charities, See advertisement.
CHARLIE TAYLOR
Proprieter and manager
Broadbottom cannot boast of the many races and tongues which give Deadwood the appearance of a minature Mecca of all nations. The apparent want of variety and evident contentment might lead the careless observer to mistake our Camp for the realisation of some Utopian dream, and the repeated assurances of the sentries that "All's well" would confirm the idea; yet once within the gates the illusion vanishes and whilst not being a city of woe the majority seem to take pleasures of prisoner of war life indifferently, if not sadly. I have not yet encountered and individual bursting with gratitude for this excursion to the tomb of le petit Corporal [Napoleon]; historic associations possess little charm for the history maker. But in spite of the general depression there are to be found in this little world of Afrikanderdom many characters and scenes rich enough to supply a philosophic nomad with food for amusement, reflection, and a bilious attack.
My stable companion, the Sound Reader, does not agree with Bret Harte's gambler that the game of life is similar to a game of cards, and that one must always recognise the usual percentage in favour of the dealer; he has the habit of lying supinely on his back, but instead of hugging the delusive phantom of hope spends the time I usually set apart for a siesta in consigning to eternal perdition the inventors of barbed wire and bayonets.
Towards the evening it is customary to wander forth "with ripe meerschaum cushioned on the lower lip." and the ramble presents more variety than is noticeable from the prosaic world beyond the the dead line. The chief resort is George Moll's buffet known to the camp policeman as the Kalihara Cafe, where for the humble "dubbeltje" you may torture your inwards with a 4.7 tart, or those blessed with more epicurean tastes are free to wade through some African delight known in the current vernacular as "Boeppens".
Connoisseurs, however, seem to prefer the "St Helena Sharpshooter", so styled by reason of its aimless propensities; the last named delicacy must be negotiated in skirmishing order. It may be necessary to state that your correspondent, with the happy knack of a thorough Romany, has an unpaid score at the abovementioned rendezvous hence this flattering ad. Amongst the habitues may be seen a quaint old Deutscher gentleman alternatively carving a stick and sipping tea; two well known characters discussing the possible price, after the war, of F.C. in Bloemfontein; and the ever present Othello recounting for the thousandth time the battles, sieges, and fortunes he has passed.
Our camp has undergone some change during the last month. Some few of our number have transferred their domiciles to a higher altitude, others to more friendly surroundings. In camp a new town has been proclaimed to be hereafter known as "Lappiesdorp", and the scene on the 19th instant, when the exodus took place, recalled memories of the palmy days of the New Rush and Vaal River diggings, when towns sprung up while you waited. One row of stands has been reserved for the mercantile community and some startling advertisements are expected in the forthcoming issue of De Krijgsgevangene.
The doings of the Debating Society are followed with great interest, and the fate of the kingdoms, empires, and republics are decided in the local senate with a facility perfectly refreshing. The sporting fraternity are preparing to erect a suitable Recreation Hall where members may congregate and discuss questions nearest their hearts.
"Till we meet again",
BOHEMIAN
Football Association
Broadbottom vs Deadwood
On Wednesday, 31 July, a match was played between a team from our sister camp, and a team picked from our own camp, which resulted in a win for the visitors by two goals to nil. We congratulate them most heartily on their win, which they most thoroughly deserved. Though not a fast team, they played well together, and gave evidence of careful coaching and practice - while our chaps seem always under the impression that they can do without practice at all. And see the result! On our side occasional
instances of brilliant individual play, but no combination, wild and long kicking, and as a rule no one in his place.
On the other side a combined play and passing, instead of individual play; and the result - a win. We have the makings of a good team here; but without practice - and that together the team will never be made. The Broadbottom team played so well together that it is almost impossible to single out any man fror special mention. Was a shot made at goal, all five forwards were there to back it up, while the defence was always on the alert. The goals were got by C.Erasmus and P.Duvenhage, but all the forwards had a hand in both. On our side Mike Pentz and Wagner showed up best. We do not consider the team as played to be anything like a representative camp team, and should like to see four or five changes made -- which would also be improvements.
Deadwood Camp July 29 1901
The Sporting Editor "De Krijgsgevangene"
Dear Sir, - Will you kindly notify through medium of your paper that I am willing to meet Pienaar a month from date of signing articles for a side-wager from
£5 to £10, best of 30 two minute rounds, 5 ounce gloves Marquis of Queensberry Rules, the proportion of gate to be agreed upon catch weight.
Thanking you for inserting this I beg to subscribe myself.
J.P.NEL
ADVERTISING TARIFF
One shilling and sixpence per inch, one shilling thereafter.
Copy to be submitted to the owners by Wednesday each week at
H. Everitt and H. Fick,
PRINTED BY B. GRANT, "GUARDIAN" OFFICE.
PUBLISHED, BY FICK AND EVERITT AT DEADWOOD CAMP, ST HELENA
Agent at Broadbottom, Mr Meyer.
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