Courtney - 'word came through that Mike's father, Old Man Cottar, a famous white hunter and a remarkable character, was ill with galena-poisoning in a broken down car at a remote spot 160 miles from Nairobi. Accompanied by Gabriel, Mike and I hurried off by car to his assistance. I think that in all Africa there could not have been another like Old Man Cottar. An American from Texas, he had been attracted to Africa and its wild life many years before. He was an enormous man, well over six feet in height with a chest as thick as a barrel and a great head of shaggy hair. He had been mauled by leopards and was paralysed all down his left side so that he stooped and leaned heavily on a stick. Still he looked big and he wore an enormous ten-gallon stetson. His braces were wide strips of car tyre inner tubing; no ordinary shop braces would come anywhere near to fitting him. At his belt hung a large, old-fashioned Colt revolver. "None of your goddam, new-fangled automatics, that'll jam on yer just when you want 'em, for me!" he used to declare. We found him lying under a tree near the disabled car. He was in a bad way. He had been on his way, with one native, to Nairobi from a galena (silver lead) mine he had been working, when the breakdown happened. At the mine his ordinary rain water supply had given out and he had been driven to drinking the mine water. The result was that he had contracted lead poisoningHe was in great pain; lead-crystals had formed in the blood and settled in the joints. Every movement was agony. His gums were blue-lined and there were blue lines under his finger nails. He looked haggard and utterly worn. But his spirit was indomitable ...... Most adult people feared him, but children and dogs adored him and could do what they liked with him. ....... We hurried him back to Nairobi but not to hospital, he wouldn't have any "goddam women fussing about me." We took him to his home. ...... he recovered'

Rundgren - Cottar, an American of Blixen's vintage, was killed in 1940 taking a cine film of a rhino charging him, but left it too late to change his camera for a gun. He was gored in the leg and bled to death. .......... one of the team of hunters who safaried the Duke and Duchess of York, later George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Stoneham Wanderings - 'whom I call "Africa's greatest hunter"' ...... 'Do not go into bush after a wounded leopard, I beg of you: Charles Cottar is the only man who makes a practice of it, and he has been mauled 3 times.'

Tracks - a giant among men in both stature and fearlessness - a man from Oklahoma. He had been a sheriff in the corn belt of that tough state and had acquired a lightning precision as a revolver shot in numerous saloon battles. The sheriff's job and the corn business hed bred in him an absolutely simple approach to life. He either liked people or he didn't; and if he didn't then right was might. His reach was long and his knuckles were hard. He always carried a cudgel which reminded me of the one carried by the giant in 'Jack and the Giant Killer' and anyone who upset him would as likely as not get a crack on the cranium. For this reason he inspired fear in many men - particularly as he was a law unto himself and thought very poorly of the man-made rules of social intercourse if they happened to cut across his current wishes. Cottar was a good 6'4" tall and invariably wore a loose pair of khaki slacks suspended by strips of red rubber inner tube discarded from 'Perishing Percy' the Model T Ford that belonged to him and his family. His huge arms and legs bore the scars of many maulings from lions and leopards and his great knuckles stood out like the knobs that protect crocodile's eyes. I can see and hear him now as he strode with his cudgel down to the Post Office at Parklands, the small Nairobi suburb where he lived with his 6 beautiful daughters (they must have taken after their mother) and 2 of his sons, Bud & Mike. The family had established a fine business as outfitters and guides to safari visitors .... This great white hunter of the breed so typical in earlier days three times fought single-handed in close combat with leopards. ..... (more about leopards) ..... Cottar's death had a sad irony about it. He had accepted a challenge from those who disliked, feared and shunned him and had engaged to get close up cine shots of a rhinoceros ..... the viewfinder was deceptive and he allowed the rhino to get too close. He fired a shot, (and killed the rhino) but the beast's horn had already gored him. ........ Both Cottar's sons were brought up in the tradition of close fighting with wild beasts - and indeed Mike and Bud became great professional hunters whom I knew and admired immensely.

Letter from Mrs P. Cottar - Professional Hunting Guide and Photographer, also farmed in Ithanga Hills and Mined (Lead) at Vitingini - Coast Area. ......... Being an American, already 40 years of age when war broke out with Germany in 1914, and he was resident in a British Territory, he did not return to the USA when it entered the war, but some of his "bush" expertise may have been of use in EA - not researched yet. ......... Of his children only Mika and Thelma have descendants still living in Kenya.

Article by Evelyn Reidy (daughter of Charles Cottar) - " Charles Cottar was born in Cedar County, Iowa, July 26, 1874. He was a great-grandson of Colonel David W. Walton, first white settler in Cedar County, grandson of David W. Walton Jnr., and eldest son of William and Abolina (Walton) Cottar. The love of hunting, which stayed with him all his life, was inherited from both sides of his family. He was only eight years old when his father gave him a heavy, old muzzle-loading gun and with this he would disappear for days to fish and hunt along the Cedar River. At home he would get up at 4 o'clock in the morning to visit his traps. The pelts he collected were sold for whatever they would bring. (For mink he would receive only 15 or 20 cents!). He did not go to school until he was 8 as he lived so far away. In fact, his formal education was scanty; but he had a great thirst for learning and, as his sister Sula often said, "Charley learned fast." When still in his teens he accompanied his father in the race for land when the Cherokee Strip was opened in Oklahoma. The Cottar family settled near Enid and within a few years developed their 160 acres into one of the most productive farms in the county. Charles married Annette (Nettie) Bennett, youngest daughter of Union Army Veteran John C. Bennett and his wife Henrietta (Wade) Bennett. For a few years the couple operated a store and post office in Garfield County and entered into the activities of the newly-formed settlement. They sometimes played for square dances. He was a country singer and fiddler, and Nettie would accompany him on the piano or guitar. After the birth of three children, they sold out, moved to Texas and built up a cattle ranch. There three other children were born and they began to think of schools and a better place for their growing family; sold up, and journeyed by covered wagon through parts of Colorado. High up in the mountains one day a wheel came off, Nettie was slightly hurt, and, as a result of the accident, they were forced to camp by the wayside for the birth of another daughter. Winter was coming on and they returned to Oklahoma to settle in Major County. Charles bought a good home in the small town of Ames, where he opened up in business as a grain and livestock dealer. The business prospered and he built another mill and stockyard in Garfield County and finally a third concern in Major County. Soon he was able to take off for hunts during a slack period to other parts of the United States, to Mexico and Canada. He also interested himself in civic matters and local politics, being twice elected to offices in Major County. About 1912, he took his first trip to Africa, where he explored and hunted for a few months. Then, back home again, his pictures and trophies excited considerable interest. After seeing East Africa, that part known as British East Africa, there was never again to be another hunting ground for him. He became obsessed with the idea of returning, and worked like a slave to set aside enough money for an extensive trip - - this time with the best guns, camera, and equipment he could afford. Next year he with his father sailed on another long voyage to Africa and brought home a better and bigger collection of pictures and trophies. People, reading about his exploits from newspaper articles, came from miles away to visit his home and see them first-hand. Later the old Globe Theater in New York showed the first full-length African movie of wildlife ever shown in the United States - - Charles Cottar's. In 1915, during the First World War, Charles sold out his interests in Oklahoma and took his family for a prolonged stay in British East Africa, to hunt and film at leisure and investigate its possibilities. In those days safaris were made through fever-stricken unmapped areas, with foot-porters, donkeys, or oxcart, and the hardships endured were considerable. He suffered several attacks of blackwater fever and once, returning from Uganda, he went down with an attack of the deadly spirilium tick fever and nearly died. His porters carried him, unconscious on a stretcher, for miles under the scorching sun before reaching medical aid. Filming too was dangerous. He had to act as his own bodyguard. When an animal had to be enticed before the camera, it would often charge and have to be wounded or killed. Charles would grind away sometimes until face to face with his "actor", then snatch up his rifle just in time to save himself. In addition to other close calls, he was badly wounded once by a leopard when stepping backwards into a pig hole. Poisoning of the wounds set in before he could reach civilization. Filming was also expensive. He had to experiment with tropical conditions. Supplies took months to reach him from America; and then, no proper storage for such perishables. Thousands of feet of film at first were wasted. In 1917-18, he turned for a spell to ivory poaching in the Belgian Congo. Though of course against the law, this was a common practice by old-timers who had to live by their guns and wits, and helped to tame the country. Africa owed them a living. Charles, usually so honest in all his dealings, shared this "blind spot". Conservation was not a must then as is now the case. Indeed he and his son Pat were often hired by the government to thin out elephants that were troubling natives or damaging their crops …… When WW1 came to an end, he bought from the departing S. African Army a few ponies which he trained for lassoing and capturing animals (even lions) for overseas zoos. He did this dangerous work single-handed. Then he purchased 500 acres of good game country with the idea of developing a dude ranch for visiting sportsmen. This never materialized because of failure in his health. Later, his aged parents came to Africa to farm it for a few years before returning to America to live out their lives in California. In the early 1920s Charles and his sons Pat, Mike, and Ted, set up as professional big game hunters and guides. He made one of his periodical visits to America to fulfil a lecturing contract and contact hunting clients. Then the big blow fell. On the return voyage, with a big contract in his pocket for thousands of feet of wildlife film from Chester Outing Film Company, and on board his first two hunting clients, he again went down with an attack of spirilium fever and nearly died. But the ship's doctor and a nurse saved him and he reached Nairobi to prepare for a big safari, which he took into the veldt while still and shaky. However, in the first few weeks, his clients did get some very good trophies and returned with him to Nairobi to get ready for another part of the safari. While at home, Charles woke up one morning paralyzed all down his left side. All his life's experience in money value gone down the drain, it seemed. He did not give himself time to recover; after just a few days his sons were supporting him on either side, while he forced his body into action. He never did fully recover from the stroke, but improved to the extent he could swing his long leg into a swift pace and use his good arm and hand to "operate" his left. For years after that he and his sons guided many well known parties. His sons earned reputations as excellent hunters and, in their own right, guided famous sportsmen. ……… During slump years after WW1, he turned to prospecting. He owned the Vitingini Mining Company near the East African coast and shipped galena by chartered vessel to Belgium. During WW2 this came to an end, and the mine was later sold to a local mining company. In September 1940, he and Pat went into the Masai country and there, while filming a rhinoceros, he was charged and gored through the big leg artery and bled to death. He had fired his old .405 Winchester and fatally wounded the rhino, but not before the sharp horn had done its worst. He was buried in the New Forest Cemetery in Nairobi. Cottar Safaris still live on with headquarters at Nairobi. Glen, son of Mike (William) Cottar, and grandson of "old Bwana Cottar" as Charles was often known, carries on the family business. Born and bred to the life, it is no wonder he is called by his hunting clients "a chip off the old block".

Obituary in the Mombasa Times and EA Standard September 12, 1940 - The death of Charles Cottar, at the age of 66 years, occurred in a tragic manner on Saturday last. He was charged and gored by a rhino in thick bush and died of his injuries about an hour and a half later. The tragedy occurred about 60 miles from Narok in the Masai Reserve, where he was filming big game. He had intended to return to the States this year, but wanted a few more pictures -- in the securing of which he was one of the pioneers in East Africa. He and his son Pat went out together and became temporarily parted in dense bush. Suddenly a rhino emerged from heavy shrub and charged Mr Cottar Senior. He fired and hit the beast, but failed to drop it and, coming on, it gored him in the right thigh. He fell to the ground, but still continued firing until the magazine of his rifle was empty -- and every bullet found its mark. Hearing the shot, Pat Cottar hurried to his father's aid through about 500 yards of thick bush. He arrived to find the rhino down, but still trying to savage the elder man, and he dispatched it with a well placed shot. He then cut a path through the bush to bring the car, and erected a tarpaulin over his father after rendering first aid. The elder man, however, died after about an hour and a half. The body was brought into Nairobi and the funeral took place at the Forest Cemetery on Sunday. ……… The late Mr Cottar was one of the most colourful figures of the early days. He came to the Colony first in 1911 on a big game shoot. He returned again in 1913 with his father for another safari. He returned to the States, but finally settled in East Africa with his wife and family early in 1915. He had a big farm in the Ithanga Hills and also interested himself in mining for many years, owning the Vitingini Mine at the Coast. Hunting, however, was always his greatest pleasure, and he conducted many big safaris, some of the biggest ever to come to Kenya in the pre-war years. He was absolutely fearless and despite manifold adventures never hesitated to go into the densest game country. Standing, in his prime, 6 feet 4 ins., he was proportionately broad and of an unusual physical vitality and great bodily strength. He was thrice mauled by leopard, on one occasion strangling the beast by sheer muscular force. The last mauling, however, in 1928, when out with his second son Mike, resulted in paralysis of the left side. Undaunted, however, he carried on for he was a fighter to his finger tips. He was also once gored by a buffalo and knocked down by an elephant in the Belgian Congo, but escaped each time. Among the many safaris he took out, he was often associated with his son Mike, who later himself conducted safaris with Woolworth Donoghue, the American magnate who originated the famous "five and ten" stores, Mr Hutton (father of Barbara Hutton), Mr R. Guest, son of the Hon. F. Guest, and others. His father's training stood him in good stead. The late Mr Charles Cottar was born in Cedar County, Iowa, USA on July 26th 1874, and later ranched and punched cows in Texas, in the days when free grass and no fences was the rule in the Lone Star State. He also took part in many other activities and was a superb horseman. He could, literally ride anything, the tougher the better. After the last war he bought a lot of horses from the departing S. African troops and used them to capture game for zoos. From the back of a horse he single-handed roped and captured three-quarter grown rhino, lion and other game. He was among the first to begin taking motion pictures of big game and in later years devoted much time to this aspect of hunting. He was of a type which has now almost disappeared. His thirty years experience of Kenya alone entitled him to the title of pioneer, but before leaving the States he belonged to those who eschewed cities and lived next to the earth, being essentially an outdoor man. In addition to his natural gifts of great strength and courage, he had a perseverance and doggedness which knew no defeat. If he had to choose the manner of his death, he would have preferred one in action rather than filling a sick bed, waiting for the end. He was a man with many friends and, like all strong characters, enemies also. But it can be said that even his enemies were forced to respect him. He leaves a widow and three sons and six married daughters, four of whom are living in the Colony and two in England. The following letter is addressed to one of Charles Cottar Senior's daughters in reference to his son Pat (also known as Charles Jr. or Bud). Mrs McClelland is the youngest daughter of Charles (Sr.) and Nettie Cottar. Government House, Nairobi 7th February 1959 Dear Mrs McClelland Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother has heard that your brother, Mr Bud Cottar, has died recently. I am commanded by Her Majesty to tell you how very sorry she is, and to send you Queen Elizabeth's deep sympathy in your loss. Her Majesty, who remembers your brother well, has the happiest memories of her visit in 1924, particularly of the time on safari when Mr Cottar was with the Duke of York. Yours sincerely, Jean Rachlin Lady-in-Waiting. Thurston - CO 533, 493/7 and CO 533, 507/4 - 1938 - Charles Cotter [sic]: compensation for cancellation of title to mining claims

Smeaton - Charles Cottar, the famous Texan hunter, whose early years were spent in the Cimarron country of Oklahoma which has been immortalized by Edna Ferber, came to see me at my hotel. After what I had heard about Cottar's active life meeting him face to face came as a decided shock. Hunting wounds scarred him badly. Although he stooped as a result of being mauled by a wounded leopard, he stood well over six feet and radiated a strong, dominating personality. A scar twisted one of his eyes out of alignment, giving his face a fierce glowering look which was only lost on those rare occasions when he smiled - he had one of the sweetest smiles I have ever seen. One arm curved stiffly inward, ending with a hand whose fingers had been badly crushed by the leopard's teeth. But despite his injuries Cottar was a magnificently rugged, purposeful figure, imbued with rare energy and driven on by the dauntless courage which showed in his eyes. We passed a pleasant evening discussing the back-blocks. Cottar knew more about those parts than most men. Apart from early days in Texas and Oklahoma, he had been a prospector and hunter in California and Colorado, Mexico, and the Rockies in Canada, experience which gave him an expert knowledge of mining problems. During many hunting safaris through Kenya he had himself discovered gold, silver, lead, copper and sundry less important metals. In his opinion Kenya was being incompetently handled, Government officials being more concerned with tying knots with red tape than with introducing any real progress, preferring a quiet easy-going life in departmental routine to forwarding the interests of farmers, miners and folk in the towns which were developing. The future (he said) depended on men who forced the Government to progress, and urged me to continue agitating for more practical mining laws. ………… Meeting Charles Cottar was a rare pleasure. I shall ever cherish the occasion, for he was one of the worlds greatest hunters. Before me as I write is a copy of the little pamphlet this doughty lone warrior of the blue printed in Nairobi to publicize his hunting parties. With typical gusto and knowledge he advises: "Get your old Springfield down, brush up your shooting, put your affairs in shape and write or cable Old B'Wana Cottar reserving a date for THE HUNT of your life. Then leave it to him to fix up for what will soon be a sport of the past. Africa is becoming deleted of its wild life, but Cottar Service will see you through to something different and more interesting than your fondest hopes, and it won't cost you more than a trip to Bermuda or Palm Beach. "Many people go to these indifferent places of insipid sport only because they don't know how or where or to whom to go for more vigorous and intrepid recreation."

Nairobi Forest Road cemetery - Charles Cottar, American, age 69, died 7/9/40

Medals - East African Intelligence Department - Charles W. Cottar, EA Motor Transport Corps, No. 2282, Warrant Officer Class 1

Mombasa Mbaraki cemetery - Mrs Anita May Cottar, died 29 May 1945 age 66, Mombasa, Cerebral Haemorrhage