Rev. Ralph W. TIDRICK

TIDRICK, MCCALL, THOMPSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/30/2009 at 22:55:46

Missionary Review of the World
New York.
Vol. 37, Page 632
January to December, 1914

WORLD-WIDE MISSIONARY NEWS
AFRICA

A LION KILLS A MISSIONARY

The death of a Christian missionary by a wild beast is almost unique in the annals of missions, but on April 21st word came from Khartum, Egypt, of the death of Rev. Ralph W. TIDRICK, of the American United Presbyterian Mission. Mr. TIDRICK, who was stationed at Boleib Hill, Sobat River, in the Egyptian Sudan, was attacked and wounded by a lion [on May 21, 1914], and started down the Nile for Khartum to undergo treatment, but died on reaching Khartum. Mr. TIDRICK was a native of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and was a graduate of the Iowa State College. He entered the missionary field in 1906, and leaves a widow and two children.

* * * * * * *

On the extreme eastern edge of the Sudan again we find the American United Presbyterians at work. Doleib Hill on the upper Nile and Nasser, farther up the Sobat, are their leading stations, where they are seeking to win the important Shilluk tribe. Hospitals, schools, preaching places, and industrial training are the agencies upon which they depend. The natives are of a savage character, and the country is infested with wild beasts. These outposts of Christianity call for a rugged and courageous type of missionary. The killing of Mr. Ralph W. TIDRICK by a lion illustrates the risks taken in the Sudan. A Shilluk village had complained of the ravages of some lions which were in- festing the neighborhood, and Mr. TIDRICK took his rifles and led a relief expedition.

With a company of natives, armed only with spears, he attacked a band of lions, killing one and driving the others into the tall grass. The grass was then set on fire and a huge lion rose up to see where the fire was located. Mr. TIDRICK fired, and the lion dropped, but soon rose again and was struck by a second bullet, after which he did not appear.

Shortly afterwards a second lion appeared, and Mr. TIDRICK dropped it also; but it, too, bounded up a second time, and was hit again. With the natives, Mr. TIDRICK pushed into the grass.

The first lion was found stone-dead; the second was wounded, but Mr. TIDRICK, being suspicious, turned to his gun-carrier for a particular rifle, and at that moment the huge beast was upon him. Before his helpers could come to the rescue with their spears, the missionary was mauled beyond recovery. By a relay of steamers, they managed to carry his mangled body to the government hospital at Khartum, but fever set in, and in a few days the brave soul took its flight. By such acts as this the missionaries of the Sudan reveal to the Africans how ready they are to serve them, even to the laying down of life.

SOURCE: PATTON, Cornelius H. The Lure of Africa Pp. 78-9. Missionary Education Movement. New York. 1917

NOTE: Rev. Ralph Wishart TIDRICK was born April 13, 1875, Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, the son of Daniel Calvin and Esther Jane (McCALL) TIDRICK He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, enlisting at age 23 on June 13, 1898; mustered into service on June 13, 1898; mustered out of service at San Francisco, Cal. on November 2, 1899. Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers, 1911.

Rev. TIDRICK graduated from Tarkio College in 1906, then studied agriculture at the Iowa State College before coming to the Sudan, working on the Sobat River under the United Presbyterian Board. Rev. TIDRICK was married to Sarah Luella THOMPSON on October 15, 1908. A Biographical Dictionary of the Sudan by Richard Leslie HILL, p. 359. Frank Cass & Co. Routledge. 1967.

Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009