Genesis - 'in September, 1894 one Dr. Charters, Chief of the Church of Scotland Mission and an Englishman, Mr Colquhoum, of the Freeland Expedition went out in this direction [from Makindu] and were never heard of again.'                                                                                          Watt - 'Dr. Charters, with his friend Mr Colquhoun, had lost their lives under grievous circumstances. The doctor and his companion had gone out with a native following to shoot some meat, and having dropped an antelope they left their men to cut up the carcase and carry it to camp. The hunters were also to proceed thither by an indirect course, on which they might have the opportunity of getting another shot. The porters completed their task and waited all the evening, but no Bwana came. They searched the district, but could not find any trace of the Europeans. Then returning to the Mission Station at Kibwezi they told their story. Mr Patterson, who was on the station, went out with a band of men, and for many days made a diligent search, ranging the whole district and exploring every retreat and nook of the surrounding forest, but not the slightest clue was discovered, nor was the mystery of their death ever solved. In all probability the 2 Europeans were met by a marauding band of Masai, who felled them to earth and thrust their bodies into some of the large animal burrows frequently met with in the forest, and then obliterated every mark and evidence of their vile deed.'
Binks - Father Bernard [St. Austin's Mission] said in a letter of 25th Sept. 1931 - "Coffee was also planted by Dr Charters and Mr John Patterson at Kibwezi at the Scottish Industrial Mission during 1893. Later they also transferred plants to Kikuyu. ..."

North - Medical Doctor - Superintendent of EA Scottish Industrial Mission at Kibwezi, arr. Kibwezi 1893; disappeared after leaving mission on shooting trip to Makindu plains with Colquhoun 27/9/1895, both presumably killed by Masai or lions

Ansorge - It is not likely that these two unfortunate white men were killed by lions. The lions would have devoured them on the spot, and the rifles would have been found. Dr. Charters knew the neighbourhood thoroughly, it is therefore improbable that they lost themselves. It is believed, that they were met by hostile savages, probably Masai on the warpath, and were captured and killed.

Ainsworth Papers, Bodleian Library Colquhoun proceeded to Kibwezi, where he stayed as a guest of Dr Charters. Very shortly after his arrival he accompanied Dr Charters to shoot game in the vicinity of the Makindu River where they pitched their camp. The next morning early they went out to shoot, each carrying a sporting rifle and a quantity of ammunition. Two of the natives from the camp accompanied them. Later in the day the two natives returned to the camp with orders to the head man to send out a number of porters to carry in meat from the two kills. The white men had said they would remain with the dead beasts and wait for the porters to arrive for the meat. The porters led by the men sent to the camp duly arrived where the dead animals lay, but the white men were not there. Naturally it was concluded that they had gone after some other game. The men cut up the meat and took it to the camp, leaving the two natives who originally went out with the white men to await their return. At dark these two natives came into the camp expecting their masters had returned by another route. All night the people in the camp waited, and at early dawn, as the white man had not returned, search parties were sent out. At the same time the head man sent a message to Kibwezi, and one of the missionaries came out at once to see what could be done. The search parties were out all day with no result, the searchres could find no trace of the missing men. At this point a message was sent to me at Machakos, on receipt of which I once sent a request to the chief Elder of Nzawi to send down a number of  Wakamba to help in the search. About 500 men scoured the bush for two whole days but never found a trace of the missing white men. To this day nothing whatsoever is known as to what happened to them. 

Watt - first superintendent of the Church of Scotland Mission at Kibwezi.