"Schmid to Basel"

Continuing the history of Amma Tanowa (see the in the volume 47 from 1886 letter No. 85 above). She was in fact proving a considerable worry, knowing nothing about neatness and not being very zealous in the work which was given to do, nor very obedient. She had attempted to run away once, getting as far as Nkwatanang. The man who held her wanted a reward of £l, and Schmid found her in a filthy condition with irons on her feet and one wrist chained to a block as large as herself. He turned out, however, to be a man who had responded very positively to Schmid's preaching in Penease shortly before, and Schmid had no difficulty procuring her release in return for a present of silk handkerchiefs which he tried to make clear was a gift intended as a return for feeding her. After that she contracted Guinea Worm, and another disease which made it impossible for her to feed herself. She had also been involved in a situation in which it became necessary to dismiss the Schmid’s cook. Schmid says this was a bad blow in view of his wife’s preoccupation with their twins. She is extremely unpopular on the station, having shown no scruple about reporting who had stolen one of Schmid’s hens. She was showing little response to Christianity having to be called personally to morning and evening prayers.

22.06.1887

22.06.1887

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