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Name: HEYER, Charles A.

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Birth Date: 1870

Death Date: 1.10.1931 Nairobi

Nationality: German

First Date: 1903

Last Date: 1931

Profession: Established C. A. Heyer & Co. gunsmith & safari outfitter

Area: Travelled extensively and returned to Nairobi 1912. 1925 Box 587, Nairobi

Married: ?Clara

Book Reference: Gillett, SE, HBEA, Cuckoo, Red 25, Red 31, Playne, Drumkey, Land, Advertiser, Gazette, Barnes, Leader14, Chandler, Red Book 1912

General Information:

SE - Chas. Heyer - Nov 1907
Playne - Photo p. 367 Playne - As complete outfitters of scientific and shooting expeditions Messrs. C.A. Heyer & Co. have shooting and driving ponies and mules always on hand, as well as one of the largest stocks of rifles and ammunition in the country and German East Africa. The firm is a German and American one, Messrs C.A. Heyer and A. Minners  being the sole proprietors. One of the partners is always on the Continent. Brokers, land and commission agents, Govt. auctioneers and stock salesmen, contractors to his Majesty's Govt., the firm's head office is at Nairobi, with branches at Zanzibar, Mombasa and Port Florence in BEA, and at Tabora, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Shirati, and in GEA. There are also agents in Germany and the USA.  Correspondence is conducted in English, German and French, and all the branches are managed by Europeans and controlled from Nairobi, where there is stabling for 18 horses. The large premises in Nairobi have 150 feet frontage to the Government Road. One of the principal lines of business is the export of big game alive.
In 1906, through GEA 117 beasts were exported including lions, leopards, rhino, zebra, hartebeest, wildebeest, roan, impala, and steinbuck. In 1907 622 beasts were exported to different parts of the world and in 1908 158 beasts, including one elephant.  In British East Africa in 1906 11 beasts were exported, including rhino, zebra, and antelope; in 1907 14 beasts, and in 1908 32 beasts of a similar class. The average price of zebra at Nairobi is £20, and rhino are delivered at Mombasa railway station for £150.
A varied stock of animals is always kept, and a large staff of Europeans are employed to catch wild specimens. Messrs C.A. Heyer & Co. have large interests in GEA, including a fibre concession of 180 square miles on the Mkomazi River (which is navigable on the other side). It is bounded by the Pangani River, also navigable. On this property there are at present 50,000 sisal plants. The firm also have large interests in a rubber concession in German East Africa, situated between the Ikoma River and the British boundary on the Mara River. Mr Heyer has had 11 years experience in East Africa, and was formerly in South Africa (Cape Colony). He is very fond of racing, and is owner of Tanga, a country-bred pony, who has 24 wins to his record. He is also fond of shooting.
Drumkey 1909 - Auctioneer - Govt. Rd., Nairobi
Land - 1911 - C.A. Heyer & Co. - Buildings, 9750 sq.ft. - Nairobi - 2/10/11 - Leasehold for 99 years from 1/8/11 - Registered 11/11/11
Land - 1911 - Chas. A. Heyer & Co. - Agricultural, 9 acres (Plot No. 221 c.c.) - Katisura - 5/10/11 - Leasehold under Occupation Licence for 2 to 99 years from 1/12/11 - Registered 8/12/11
Advertiser - 10/7/1908 - New member of Colonists Ass. Of B.E.A. - C. Heyer
Gazette - 12/7/16 - Trading with the Enemy - (land)
Nairobi Forest Road Cemetery - Charles Heyer, German, age 61, died 1/10/31
Red Book 1912 - C. Heyer - Nairobi

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