When the Boer raiding party rode into Elandslaagte on 19 October 1899 they first made a turn at David Harris’ imposing red-brick residence. Harris, the General Manager of the Elandslaagte Colliery, was having dinner with Simpson Mitchell-Innes of the farm “Blanerne”, who was also one of the Directors of the Colliery. The ten minutes spent in conversation there gave the acting Station Master, G.P. Atkinson and his clerk, D. Christie, an opportunity to warn Ladysmith of the Boer’s arrival via the telegraph. Atkinson also managed to persuade the engine driver, H.W. Cutbush, that a hurried departure might be in order. The train chuffed out of the station, with the Boers now in hot pursuit. The train guards, an officer and 9 men of the 18th. Hussars, opened fire and wounded one Boer in the leg. The Boers were unable to keep up, and the train made good its escape.
David Harris and his wife
Pienaar was incensed with this failure, and threatened to shoot Atkinson. The latter’s rifle was confiscated and he was confined to house arrest, but not before Pienaar had cooled down and returned to apologise for his bad behaviour!
All the activity at the station allowed the Mine Manager to conceal the...
