Having spoken to historians and military men about the Luka Jantje incident, my jigsaw puzzle is starting to come together (Some pieces are missing and some are in the wrong place, no doubt. Perhaps pieces from other puzzles have inadvertently been included)
Some background first though.
THE MACRO LEVEL
Pieced together from various sources on the internet. Apologies if any copyright has been infringed.
Luka Jantje was of the Tlhaping Tswana (a western branch of the Sotho), and was bitterly opposed to the Whites. Together with Galeshewe and Toto, Jantje rebelled against British rule and after some initial defeats; most of the surviving rebels under Jantje retreated into the Langeberg Hills. There they withstood a five-month siege*, before being defeated. The attack on Gamasep took place on 30 July 1897, and the Langeberg Rebellion ended on 3 August. Following the death of over 1,500 men, Batlhaping positions were overrun (by about 2,000 colonial troops), and the surviving rebel leaders were arrested or executed.
Jantje was beheaded, and Galeshewe and Toto were imprisoned on Robben Island. Jantje’s death marked the collapse of the Tswana resistance. About 4,000 Tswana men, women and children were taken captive and sent to the Western Cape to work as unpaid labourers for local white farmers.
*Firearms had been exported to the Tswana by white entrepreneurs since the 1860’s, to stimulate the Kalahari hunting industry – indicating that Jantje et al had had access to weapons for some time.
THE MICRO LEVEL
A pot-pourri of facts, assumptions and speculation. All and any corrections are welcome.
Temple Smythe (or is it Temple-Smythe?) was part of the Cape Medical Staff Corps (which was attached to the Kaffrarian Rifles), so his presence at Gamasep was as a non-combatant. Smythe discovered Jantje hiding in a cave on Gamasep Kopje, and Jantje opened fire on Smythe. Apparently Jantje’s gun misfired, giving Smythe the chance to retaliate, shooting Jantje in the head with a revolver. Shortly after Jantje was buried, Captain Searle exhumed Jantje, and cut off his head, reasoning that he wanted to give the skull to a museum in Cape Town. Several of the soldiers then played soccer with Jantje’s head. My grandfather, Private James Joseph Cooke, came across this ‘game’ and stopped it.
An officer discovered Searle’s plan to take the skull to Cape Town when he enquired what was being boiled in a pot in the kitchen, as it smelt dreadful. He peered into the pot and saw the skull.
Private JH Kuhlmann (Smythe’s batman) reported Searle to the authorities. After a court of enquiry which ended inconclusively, Searle was asked to resign from the Cape Town Highlanders.
Cooke took possession of the skull, and kept it in a drawer in his study, to my grandmother’s disgust. Every year, on the anniversary of the battle, several of those present at Gamasep would gather at my grandfather’s home and recount the events. The skull would be taken out of the drawer for the occasion. One year, my father (then still a child), walked into the study during one of these reunions. The skull was brandished at him, and he was told, “Get out, this is men’s business!” This was the final straw for my grandmother, who then insisted that my grandfather get rid of the skull. So he buried it in the rose garden.
So far, we have established that the property is still in the same condition as it was at that time, and it appears that the rose garden has not been covered by a building. Now we need to establish who the current owners are, and get the necessary permissions to dig up said garden. And if a skull is found in the garden, I think it would be reasonable to assume that it is the skull of Luka Jantje.
(Please note: These pictures remain the property of Dusty Muffin, and may not be reproduced in any form without permission)
Dusty, you have, once again, out-done yourself. Your highly professional account of events does your literary reputaion proud. Now all that remains(!!) is for the authorities to take up the challange, verify the facts as you present them, and get moving. I can’t wait to see what transpires. With evidence like this, if they don’t do something about it soon, we should get out or shovels and gumboots and get digging!! Congratulations, Dusty, job well done.
Dear Dusty I am really impressed with your work. I have in my possession, care of the van Riebeeck series, several letters between Members of Parliament, lawyers and the secretary of parliament relating to the issue and the commission of enquiry which ended inconclusively. In 1906 the Bambatha Rebellion in KZN was stopped and Bamabatha’s head was also removed. Many of the same British soldiers also appeared regarding that incident.
Where to from here? I can, with your permission, communicate directly with the secretary to the Executive Council and the MEC for Arts and Culture in the Northern Cape to recover the head. Where was the rest of Jantje’s remains buried?
I think your grandmother was a wonderful woman. You obviously take after her.
Hi David, yes, Dusty certainly is all that and more…don’t get a big head now Dusty! I have 1st hand experience of her methodical and unrelenting nature. She is a force to deal with!! Sufice to say that when we get our tails up (so to speak), not much stops us from finding that which others think was lost. You go, girl!! I’m off on yet another quest…more on that as I progress.
Yes I am very excited by her findings and determination. And she claims not to be a historian.
Ag man, thanks you two…
*blushes, looks down, left foot makes small circles on ground*
David: Are the van Riebeeck letters available on the internet, or do you have to subscribe? It would be great if we could attach more names to faces in the photos – and those documents might help.
I believe that Bambatha’s skull was put on a mantlepiece and used as an ashtray.
Where to from here? I would like Garth to take this forward, as he started making enquiries with my father 13 years ago. I have made contact with him, and he will be in Cape Town some time in the next few months. We will meet then and work out a plan of action. Until then, I must just be patient…but would dearly like to join Nossie with gumboots and a shovel!
David: Regarding LJ’s remains, the Olympic Games Opening Speech, 1 August 2004, (see my post on 10/6), seems to imply that Galeshewe, Jantje and Toto are buried at Gladstone Cemetery, Transvaal Road and Alexandersfontein. This could be a reference to other casualties though – the language is not too clear.
I wonder if anything has been done in the three years since that speech? It seems not though, as the Northern Cape Province Budget Statement 2007/8 (quoted in the same post on 10/6) mentions that ‘archeological research will be done’. Perhaps you could do some digging *groan* in that area?
Dusty, One hopes it’s a case of the wheels turning slowly at first, then gaining momentum…but I wonder…once Garth has made your findings known to the correct people and nothing happens for a while (let’s get real) maybe another avenue should be followed…like Carte Blanche or such like? You can make your TV debut, Dusty..
Hi all!
Great book. I just want to say what a fantastic thing you are doing! Good luck!
Bye
Hi David, another day, another battle – literally. How much do you know about WW1? One of my (and the one and only!) decorated war hero ancestors was killed in action on the Western front in France in 1917. He was in the 2nd Regiment, South African Infantry. He is buried in Athies. I have a copy of the Commonwealth war Grave Certificate. I would like to know more…any clues?
Dusty, my apologies for the change of subject but not knowing how this things works….should I have entered this comment/request some place else? Or direct it at someone else? Expert advice required….
Nossie, you need to register on the site. And then post that as a blog if u want
Semisweet, I have registered on amagama.com…is there another site I should reg. on and how do i do that and where….sorry, I’m new to this but with all the kind souls out there, I’m sure I’ll get there…
There are other blog sites you can register on if you want. 24.com, iblog, blogspot just to name a few. You can google more.
Now that you are registered, when you log in go to your admin page and write a new post. Once done you then publish it. It will appear on the post page for all to view and comment on.
Hope this helps
Good luck on your quest Dusty. Sounds all very exciting. Great post thanks.
Thanks Flutts. Nice to see you popping in! At the moment this whole project feels like ‘Hurry Up and Wait’
Hang in there Dusty. I think your families will find a much needed closure.
When my brother was still at school, he traced our family tree back to four generations and it was amazing – all those old documents and photos.
It is a very special thing you’re doing.
Dear Dusty, the garden and Alexanderfontein it is then. Should the heritage authorities be involved then? I also think that a novel from different perspectives, that of your great grandfather (and grandmother), that of Jantje (the women in his life), that of the members on the opposition benches in the Cape Colony parliament, against the back drop of a sub-continent in turmoil at the end of the 19th century could make for an interesting canvas.
Hi Dusty, I couldn’t agree more with David. Get to work, girl!! If and when you need any of my (limited) input, just let me know. And don’t forget to invite me to watch the digging. My family up here are enthralled. I have lots of info on JJ during his tenure as Mayor of Pretoria that may add some insight into his political leanings at the time.
Dusty dearest, I know I’m being a real pest but once I get into anything, I want to make it work right…I also notice on my blog, that my calender does not show todays date in the little square…GGRRRRRR….isn’t there a “word of one syllabul” how-to?? Or alternatively, who should I mail for assistance?
Any news from our historian friend re “the big dig”?
The photos of the cave and the ‘inboekseling,’ the captured women and children to be distributed to Cape farms as farm labourers are extremely valuable. This story must out. I am so very impressed with the manner in which you are pursuing the matter. Surely this is a journey which should happen in reality, and not just over the virtual link between us all over the net. Do I have your permission to engage with the Northern Cape Provincial Government on the matter of retrieving the skull now that we seem to know where it is?
Dusty, check your mail!!!
David, thank you for your kind comments. This story will be happening in reality, it all just takes so long. As I said earlier, I would like Garth to take it further, as he was the instigator.
However, this has not stopped us from trying to find out more, until things start happening. I have tried to persuade a cousin, who lives close by (who happens to be 8 months pregnant), to climb over the wall with her spade and wellies. But she’s not too keen at the moment.
Nossie has also made contact with someone who can get access to the property, to take photos of the garden.
In the meantime though, have you made any progress with locating the grave?
Nossie! You are SOOOOO demanding!
as I said…patience is not one of my many and varied natural virtues…apologies. I’ll back off.
Dusty…I’m inspired!! A word came to me that sums up your quest to a tee….SCULLDUGGERY!!! *lol – oh, i kill me*.
Oh nossie. You be a silly blogger!
Dusty – please contact me at jamescooke_tx@yahoo.com. My Great Grandfather was James Joseph Cooke too – the same man you are referring to. My father was Michael James Anthony Cooke, who was the son of his second wife.
I am in facebook and am currently in Austin, Texas. Denise Wronsley did the family tree for us on Ancestry.com
Muffin, go on – James wants to talk to you.
Thanks James and Nos. Made contact – all’s good!
Hi Dusty
I have been reading your site with great interest because I very recently found out that all the people you speak of are related to me in some way or other. These are extracts that indicate who was related to whom and the names are spelt as they were at the time of the books being written. One connection that does not appear here is that Gasibone died July 1858 was the brother of Sekhome who was the grandfather of Sir Seretse Khama:
“However to get back to Hasibone or Gasibone, the only way that I am able to indicate the exploits of the Gasibone family is to quote an extract from the book: “Matabele Thompson his autobiography and story of Rhodesia” edited by his daughter Nancy Rouillard:
Page 131
“The name of Shelli’s tribe is the Batlapine. Gasibonae is the paramount chief but his uncle, Mahura, had charge of the territory in which we were, and had more men. As the Caffirs expected the Boers to attack them they would not allow us to go on, and Mahura gave orders that any of his people who accompanied us would forfeit their property”.
Page 135 – Appendix B “Notes on the Chief Galishiwe”
“Galishiwe was captured by Colonel Warren’s force a few months after the attack on Cornforth Hill and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. In 1897 he led another rebellion in the Langeberg. He was captured by Captain Dennison in the Kalahari and sentenced again to ten years imprisonment. All his lands, now the Pokwani area, were confiscated, surveyed into farms and granted to white settlers. In 1920 he was living in the Magogong Reserve near Taungs. Thompson met him in that year and wrote the following note on the encounter:
‘I met him recently, our first meeting since 1878, as he was traveling by train to Kimberley to give evidence before the Native Reserves Commission. He was quite friendly and asked whether my wounds were better. We had a chat about the events of 1878, and he gave me some details of the fight from the natives’ side. He put the blame for the attack on Cornforth Hill on his headmen. He declared that it was made against his will but he had to join in. He said that none of his people would ever have “bitten my hand” had we not helped the Hunters, and entertained and guided Major Brunker’s troops.’
Galishiwe, Thompson wrote in another note, was the son of Gasibone. In 1858 President Pretorius, first President of the Transvaal, in conjunction with a commando of Free State Boers, had a fight on the present site of Kimberley against Pethlu, the eldest son of Gasibone. The natives on that occasion beat the combined Boer forces and captured some thousands of sheep and cattle. They crossed the Vaal River at Klipdrift, and continued for about eighty miles to a natural stronghold in Mankorane’s territory south of Taungs, where they ensconced themselves. Three weeks after five hundred Boers attacked this place but they were unable to dislodge the natives. They then engaged the services of a Bushman, who for a few rolls of tobacco shot Gasibone, cut off his head, and sold it to the Boers. They carried it in triumph to Pretoria. In the olden days natives never thought a victory complete until they had secured the head of the opposing chief. Pethlu died a few years later, leaving a son of the same name. Gasibone was the eldest son of Mothibi, whose second son, by a concubine, was Jantje, who was killed by British Colonial troops when fighting with Galishiwe in Langeberg in 1897. Luka Jantje’s head was cut off and taken to Cape Town by a member of the Colonial forces. Pethlu, second of the name, was one of Galishiwe’s headmen in the Langeberg rebellion, and it was he who ordered the murder of the Blom family at Pokwani in 1895, in the rebellion arising from the Rinderpest. He was eventually hanged at Kimberley in 1901, on the very spot where his father had defeated the Boers forty-three years before. Truly the Gasibone clan was unlucky in the matter of heads.”
It would be interesting to find all the Gasibone clan heads.
Coinlover1, thank you for your very interesting comment. Please would you let me know which book you are quoting from so that I can do more research.
Also, please would you email me (dustymuff@gmail.com), and I’ll put you in touch with some of the other people who have expressed an interest in this story.
Perhaps there could still be some form of resolution or closure for the descendants of all the parties involved.
Mmmmmm…
Hi Dusty
I sent you a message via your email address supplied by you in the message above.
Your final comment of finding closure is not what I am seeking but rather identification of my family tree. I was brought up on the other side of the fence, so to speak and mention of this side of the family was never made.
My g/grandfather Captain Alfred James “Bulala” Taylor of Avoca farm in Plumtree was such a colourful fellow that he clouded the exploits of all the other members of the family, so our perspective of the events of that era were very one sided. In a sense and being brought up differently, and although I do not condone his actions, I would be seeing life through the eyes of Mugabe with the eradition of the British and Boers from Africa and allowing it to return to its natural state.
My interests though, are not so radical but rather being able to mount the hurdles of identifying the women that make up my descendants. I strongly suspect that through them I am also related to Mzilikazi and therefore also Lobengula. As I believe that the little 4 year old white girl that was abducted from the Vegkop massacre as a present for Mzilikazi was my g/g/g/Grandmother.
Thank you for this interesting site.
There is no hyphen in Temple Smythe. He was the eldest son of E Weber Smythe, JP of Dublin and married one of my great aunts, Eveline Sara Fayle (!872-?).
I have a copy of part of a letter written by him to the family in Birr, Ireland. There is no date but it is a first hand account of the killing of Luka Jantje. It also showed that even as a doctor you could be right up at the front of a battle.
“We have had a terrible time of thirst fatigue$ pain the latter due to the way the sharp rocks knock our feet about We charged one hill (the strongest position in the Longberg [sp?]) with the bayonet we stormed the place grandly under our own awful fire I was up amongst the leaders & saw a fellowmdrop beside me. I saw to him (he was dead, shot thro the head) & then I was called away to the left as I went a bullet just passed my head & hit a sand stone rock driving the dust all over my face The second man was also dead – shot thro the head Then I …[illegible on fold of paper]… who had a bulley thro his thigh…[illegible on fold of paper]…fire and another who got a Martini bullet thro his chest. The latter fell in good cover. We marched up the Kloof & halted to give the men a rest & then were ordered to beat around the valley while the artillery played over us As we were marching slowly along the valley I was on the extreme left & front of the line when 3 of the enemy jumped up within 10 yds of me on the side of the hill above me The leader aimed at a young Kaffrarian beside me & I dashed up straight at them The chief (it was Luka Jantje) a rifle bullet passed over my shoulder & he turned to get the rifle (a Winchester repeater) up again to fire when I shot him thro the heart with my revolver I turned to find the second man almost on me when I shot him thro the liver [?] & again thro the arm But he still came on so I had to club him with my revolver on the head Then my greatest danger for about 15 of the Kaffrarians fired a volley into us hoping to save me Providence was kind to me for my third enemy was bowled over & I was not hit. Then the whole column began cheering & every one came up to shake hands with me – none whom I had never seen before The Chief sent for me & the staff stood me drinks & my own Chief thanked me for what i had the good luck to do for the Medical Staff Corps. It was the Paramount Chief I shot & that ended the war”
Hope this is of interest.
Coinlover, I have just responded to your email – sorry it’s taken so long, but I’m a serial procrastinator, even when it comes to fascinating messages like yours.
I love your analogy where your refer to seeing life through the eyes of Mugabe!
I do hope you’ve made some headway with your research, and hope that you will share it here, as there are others like you who are researching their families, and have somehow landed up on this page.
David, thank you for your information about Smythe. Does that make Smythe your great uncle, or was his union with Eveline a second marriage? She must have been much younger than he was, as he was already fighting battles in 1879, when she was a mere two years old.
That letter is most intriguing! Do you have any idea who holds the original? If possible, I would really appreciate it if you could scan your copy and email it to me on dustymuff@gmail.com
I have an original note from that time. It reads: “Dr Smythe has shot Luka Jantje as he came out of the cave. Prisoners say no doubt. & ??? ??? identifies him. F Johnson” It is in an envelope which has the following written on it: “Dispatch from Frank Johnson to O/C (Colonel Dalgety o/c CMR Bechuanaland First Force) when Lukas Jantjes shot at Gamasep in 1897.”
Hi Dusty Muffin
I responded to your email and sent two attachments that reflect a small portion of what I have found. There are a number of other clues that lead me to believe what I suspect is true. I am considering a DNA test to prove my suspicions but that will be sometime hence.
I referred to my great grandfather above as a colourful fellow, well if you watch the film “Breaker Moran” by Union Films you will hear mention of his name as he was involved in the trial of Breaker Moran and nearly ended up with the same fate (shot).
He was married to Phoebe Clark, the woman I am investigating. I understand from the website “Ancestry” that there was someone interested in these people and lived in France. If you happen to here of anyone with an interest in the people I refer to, please let me know.
It would seem that a lot of detail and/or facts are lost/re-arranged depending on who is recording the history! Fascinating! The plot thickens.
Dusty
Hope you got my material on Temple Smythe that I emailed to you.
David