Page 335 - Three Score Years & Ten
P. 335
“THREE SCORE YEARS AND TEN” MISSIONARY WORK IN CHINA
Amy Moore
MISSIONARY TRAGEDY - MAN AND WIFE MISSING
Victims of Communists Tragic Story From China
SHANGHAI, Feb. 27 1935
Grave anxiety is felt concerning the safety of Mr. Charles Frencham, of Melbourne, who has
been a missionary at Ningkiang, in the Shensi province, China, Mr. Frencham was captured
by Chinese Communists, who sacked Ningkiang on February 3.
The fate of Mrs. Frencham is unknown, but the China Inland Mission fears the worst, since
she was an expectant mother, and if she escaped she would be compelled to travel almost
entirely on foot over ice-clad mountain passes for 12 days to reach the nearest mission station,
since all transportation was seized by the Communists.
A story of heroism, missionary devotion, and untold suffering was revealed in a letter
received here from remote Sianfu, (Xi’an) the capital of Shensi, detailing the tragic events
following the entry of the Communists into Ningkiang after they had crossed the Szechuan
border in headlong flight before the Government anti-Red drive.
When the Communists entered the city Mr. Frencham and his wife were in the house of the
Chinese commanding the Ningkiang garrison, where Mrs. Frencham was nursing the
commanding officer's wife. Mr. Frencham and the commander left the house for the purpose
of arranging flight, and when last seen they were surrounded by Communists and were being
escorted beyond the city. In the meantime, serious street fighting was progressing, and a
portion of the city was in flames. Chinese later discovered the dead body of the
commander's wife, but there was no trace of Mrs. Frencham.
Two missionaries set out on foot from Sianfu in an endeavour to find Mrs. Frencham. It was a
12 days' Journey across the mountains in bitter winter weather; but there is little hope that
they will succeed in finding her.
There are grave fears regarding another party of 12 missionaries and their childrcn, who
evacuated other Shensi stations and moved toward Sianfu when danger first threatened. The
Frcnchams delayed their departure until it was too late.
Meanwhile the Chinese Government has despatched four divisions of well-trained troops to
the scene of the 'latest Communist outrage, where intensive preparations are being made to
surround the "Reds."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Both Said to Have Been Killed
TOKIO, Feb. 27.1935
It Is reported from Shanghai that the Chinese "Rods" killed both Mr. and Mrs. Frencham.
There are grave fears for the safety of other missionaries in the Shensi region.
335
Amy Moore
MISSIONARY TRAGEDY - MAN AND WIFE MISSING
Victims of Communists Tragic Story From China
SHANGHAI, Feb. 27 1935
Grave anxiety is felt concerning the safety of Mr. Charles Frencham, of Melbourne, who has
been a missionary at Ningkiang, in the Shensi province, China, Mr. Frencham was captured
by Chinese Communists, who sacked Ningkiang on February 3.
The fate of Mrs. Frencham is unknown, but the China Inland Mission fears the worst, since
she was an expectant mother, and if she escaped she would be compelled to travel almost
entirely on foot over ice-clad mountain passes for 12 days to reach the nearest mission station,
since all transportation was seized by the Communists.
A story of heroism, missionary devotion, and untold suffering was revealed in a letter
received here from remote Sianfu, (Xi’an) the capital of Shensi, detailing the tragic events
following the entry of the Communists into Ningkiang after they had crossed the Szechuan
border in headlong flight before the Government anti-Red drive.
When the Communists entered the city Mr. Frencham and his wife were in the house of the
Chinese commanding the Ningkiang garrison, where Mrs. Frencham was nursing the
commanding officer's wife. Mr. Frencham and the commander left the house for the purpose
of arranging flight, and when last seen they were surrounded by Communists and were being
escorted beyond the city. In the meantime, serious street fighting was progressing, and a
portion of the city was in flames. Chinese later discovered the dead body of the
commander's wife, but there was no trace of Mrs. Frencham.
Two missionaries set out on foot from Sianfu in an endeavour to find Mrs. Frencham. It was a
12 days' Journey across the mountains in bitter winter weather; but there is little hope that
they will succeed in finding her.
There are grave fears regarding another party of 12 missionaries and their childrcn, who
evacuated other Shensi stations and moved toward Sianfu when danger first threatened. The
Frcnchams delayed their departure until it was too late.
Meanwhile the Chinese Government has despatched four divisions of well-trained troops to
the scene of the 'latest Communist outrage, where intensive preparations are being made to
surround the "Reds."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Both Said to Have Been Killed
TOKIO, Feb. 27.1935
It Is reported from Shanghai that the Chinese "Rods" killed both Mr. and Mrs. Frencham.
There are grave fears for the safety of other missionaries in the Shensi region.
335
