Concerning The Fate Of “Poor Mr. Frings”

THE article in January PIM, entitled “Poor Mr. Frings,” has aroused considerable interest among old New Guinea residents.

A former District official, Mr. S. H.

Chance, had recalled curious circum stances connected with the reported death of a German planter, Herr Frings in the Northwest Islands in 1921; and it was suggested that Frings did not die of black

water, was not buried at Wuvulu, and that he could have escaped on a schooner which bolted from Kavieng to Hollandia with German civilians about that time.

Mr. Chance said that Frings was very much like Dr. Goebbels, of later un hallowed memory.

An old planter, who wishes to remain anonymous, writes interestingly:

W£Iat Became Of Big Pearl?

THE “Master William” you mention as Brochardt or Burnhardt was indeed 'buried at Matty (Wuvulu), and his name was Wm. P. Leonardt—not the same man as W. A. M. Leonhardt, a Bird-of- Paradise hunter who spelt his name with an H in the middle. As you remark, he was not enough of a Teuton to be liked by his “fellow-Germans.”

Naturally so, for his German was im perfect, his appearance and manner un- Hunnish, and his origin Danish. I think he was from Laesen; his right name was Nielsen Ortoft. Perhaps Mr. Chance could supply the reason for his adoption of the name of Leonardt, and of a remote habitation amongst the enemies of his people, who had by no means forgotten or forgiven being stripped of their fairest province in Schleswig-Holstein.

The surmise that Frings may have sur vived and escaped may have some sub stance, for never after, at Wuvulu or elsewhere, could be found a magnificent pearl known to have been in the posession of Frings. It was said to be the finest ever found in New Guinea waters, and could well have financed both a passage to Hollandia and many subsequent adventures.

Frings, moreover, spelt his name as did Goebbels, “Josef,” though I thing the ‘ph’ spelling is more common amongst them.

I have not heard, however, that he had a club foot, which he would need as a double for Goebbels. If by Chance you could establish this, then what a case you’d have!

As to the “escape,” I had inclined to the theory of Bruno Grigat’s Munitau, or to Schamburg’s cutter—the name escapes me—rather than the Galatea as already too crowded; but it is an open question.

Someone was buried, someone who when sewn up in a blanket was not distinguish able in size from little Frings, and who had died of blackwater fever. If the grave were opened now, the skull at least would remain and if it proved Mongolian I should not be much surprised. All the Chinese employed in the Western Islands and the Ninigos were, I think, named Leong—there were about a dozen bearing this name, and the deceased, if a Chinese, would be one of them.

The site of the grave is not forgotten; it was well maintained by both the Ger mans and their successors, the Australians.

It stands only a couple of hundred yards to the right of the bungalow at Agita, facing the sea, and used to be in a grove of casuarinas. The site is well known to all the natives on Wuvulu —that is, the people of the villages at Maty Agita, Maty Tumuvali, and Maty Watolla.

On this, Mr. Chance has made the following note: “Very interesting—and a lot more about ‘poor Mr. Frings!’ I have heard of that big pearl; and someone, at that time (I have forgotten whom) hinted that the corpse may have been that of a Chinese.

I know that Frings did not have a club foot —I merely said he was very much the style and build of the infamous and de formed Herr Doktor, who, to quote Punch: Had such a puny form He couldn’t fill a uniform.”

The Man Who Buried Him

AND here is a note from Mr. Fred. P.

Archer, of Jame Plantation, Buka,, who once knew the NW Islands well: Your article “Poor Mr. Frings” is; interesting. “Poor Mr. Frings” bones have; mouldered in the grave these many years? at Wuvulu (Maty Isd.), and I know the< grave well —under the Casuarina trees,, with the white sea-swallows darting in j and out among the branches. Not far' off is the grave of “Masta Vill-yam”' (William) who died before him.

The man who buried them both —made;

the coffins and dressed them in whites and shoes, etc., —lies buried here on Jame.

Faithful old Soma—he was an old-time Buka boy—accompanied the Germans out there when they cut the bush, and was one of the bodyguard. He has (to me) told the story of their sickness, death and burial many a time.

His daughter is married to my Boss Boy here, and attended the burial, and took part in the obsequies when “poor Mr.

Frings” was laid away! I asked the lady how Frings died; and her reply not printable, unfortunately does indicate that blackwater was the cause of death.

Mr. Chance seems to see a connection between Frings and Goebbels. But Goebbels had a club foot and was mis shapen, if I mistake not, and also had “Chest measurement of 36 and mouth measurement of 63” (Read in “Insanity Fair”), whereas Frings was not misshapen and was a quiet sort of man, according to the natives.