Mr. Hill to Mr. White.

No. 445.]

Sir: I inclose for your information copy of a letter addressed to the Department by Mrs. George F. Labram, of Aurora, Ill., inclosing a communication from Lieutenant-Colonel Kekewich, commanding British troops in South Africa, showing services rendered by the late George F. Labram, and requesting information as to the manner in which his widow should present her claim to the British Government for the death of her husband.

In view of Colonel Kekewich’s statement to the effect that Mr. Labram completed many engineering works which materially assisted in prolonging the defense of Kimberley, it is thought possible that the British Government might, upon representation of the facts, feel inclined to make some provision for Mrs. Labram.

You are accordingly instructed to informally present the papers in question to Her Majesty’s Government for its consideration, and report the result to the Department.

I am, etc.,

David J. Hill.
[Page 624]
[Inclosure.]

Mrs. Labram to Mr. Hay.

Dear Sir: I do not know the proper channel through which a claim can be presented to the English Government, but have been advised to place the facts before the State Department, and have been assured that you would have the documents forwarded to the party whose duty it may be to act for and in my behalf.

My late husband, George Labram, was in the employ of the De Beers Consolidated Mines, Limited, Kimberley, South Africa; was in the town during the time it was besieged; an American citizen, born in Detroit, Mich., in 1859. He never renounced his allegiance to the United States Government, and was at his death, as always, an American. He was killed at Kimberly by the explosion of a shell while in his room in the hotel, on the 9th day of February, 1900. Myself and son, aged 13 years, are his only heirs, and it seems to me that I am entitled to some consideration from the English Government, as he was practically compelled to fight there, to prevent the capture of Kimberley by the Boers, in behalf of the English forces. If you would kindly forward any documents for evidence that may be required, of his actions and his death, full information can be obtained from Mr. Gardner Williams, American consul at Kimberley and general manager of the De Beers Consolidated Mines, Limited. Mr. Williams is now in England and can be communicated with by addressing care of De Beers Consolidated Mines, 62 Lombard street, London, E. C.

I inclose herewith a certified copy of a letter from Colonel Kekewich stating that the English Government was indebted to my late husband.

I trust that I have appealed to the right quarter for aid as I was dependent upon my husband and his engineering ability for my living, and will feel deeply grateful for an acknowledgment of this letter with information as to the disposal made of it.

Yours, very truly,

Mrs. Geo. F. Labram,
[Subinclosure.]

Lieutenant-Colonel Kekewich to Mrs. Labram.

Dear Madam: It was with great grief that I received the sad intelligence on February 9 that your husband, Mr. George Labram, has been killed by a Boer shell.

I write to offer you and your son the deepest sympathy of my staff and myself in the severe loss you have sustained. Not only Kimberley, but the whole British nation, is to-day indebted to your late husband for the invaluable assistance he afforded to the defenders of Kimberley during a siege extending over nearly four months. Your late husband placed unreservedly at my disposal his great genius, and I can not sufficiently express my gratitude for the many works he completed, which have much, assisted me to prolong the defense of Kimberley. I can assure you, my dear madam, that the whole of Kimberley mourns the loss of our dear friend George Labram as we would the loss of a dear relative.

Yours, sincerely,

Kekewich,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding the Troops at Kimberly.