BMS World Mission

Boxer Rebellion Telegrams

 

Read some of the telegrams sent from China to the BMS headquarters in London in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, with transcipts beneath.

 

 

Telegram 15 September 1900

 

" ... Mission houses in Taiyuenfu (Taiyuan) burned, except Farthing’s. Missionaries fled there, escorted Yamen, promised safety, immediately massacred, altogether thirty-three Protestants, Pigotts 3, Duval, Robinson, Attwaters 2, Stokes 2, Simpsons 2, Lovetts 3, Coombs, Benyons 4, Wilsons 3, Farthings 5, Whitehouse 2, and four others. Hoddle, Underwoods, Stewart have not been mentioned; also ten Catholic priests. Others not known, Probable total, fifty-one foreigners, besides many natives. Hsi Cho (Xinzhou), six persons, escaped mountains horseback, probably Dixons, McCurrachs, Renaut, Ennals, fate unknown.

Extracts from telegram, dated 15 September 1900. (BMS workers in italics)

 

 

Telegram dated 8 November 1900

 

" Shansi messenger returned confirms Taiyuenfu (Taiyuan) massacre Piggotts included, reports Dixons, McCurrachs, Underwoods, Renaut, Ennals left Hsinchow (Xinzhou) for cave in hills. Boxers found them... went with soldiers, promised escort to coast...

Telegram dated 8 November 1900 (side one)   

 

 

Telegram dated 8 November 1900

 

"... Missionaries already five days without food came out taken to Hsinchow (Xinzhou), imprisoned till August 9th, then killed inside City gate.

Telegram dated 8 November 1900 (side two)  

 

Shanxi missionaries

 

Shanxi missionaries in 1900, including BMS workers