A Liberian Journey

Creator

Richard Pearson Strong

Date

8/25/26

Coverage

Shintor, Hinterland, Liberia

Transcription

Wednesday, August 25th, Memmeh town.

We started yesterday morning from Kaka town along a broad good trail cleared most of the way on each side to the width of a good road. For about two miles there were bridges over the streams and swamps, but these soon gave out and during the day we crossed at a minimum some fifty streams and swamps through which we had to wade. It rained most of the day but the sun came out several times for from quarter to half an hour. There was much tall elephant grass along the first part of the trail. Our march was northeast and occasionally for short distances east over rolling country with hills fifty to a hundred feet high. The forest along the route was not so high or so dense. After about six hours’ march we reached Bondoekie at five thirty where we spent the night. I got George off first from Kaka town yesterday and then Coolidge, Linder and Theiler, one after the other with their personal baggage. I did not leave until there were porters in sight to move everyone and everything. Unfortunately George passed by the town at which we planned to spend the night and the porters followed him carrying our cots, bedding, mosquito nets, etc. We went on to the next town, but not finding him and it being dark, we planned to spend the night. I sent on a runner asking George to send back the cots. In the meantime we retired, Theiler and Linder in one cot and Harold and I in the other cot. Rather crowded quarters but far safer to be under a mosquito net in these towns. About ten thirty George turned up having discovered his mistake. We started our march early this morning and arrived here (Memmeh town), after about two hours’ walk. Here we must wait until I can make terms with the new chief of this district. All the men are here and we are well. We have had half an hour of sunshine today and things have been dried somewhat. The towns passed through yesterday and today are:

1 Kaka town
2 Shintor
3 Javo Yangois town
4 Ganshue (planned to spend night here)
5 Bondockies town (spent night)
6 Wayahlah
7 Memmeh town

We crossed two rivers today by suspension bridges, the first called by the natives the Ware and the second the Yaso. These are apparently branches of the Farmington River.

Type

Diary

Citation