An elderly American lady, an implacable foe of female circumcision and for 20 years a hard working member of the Africa Inland Mission at Kijabe. 

Best - In January 1930 someone entered her room as she lay in bed and forcibly circumcised her, for motives that may perhaps have been well intended. Unfortunately she protested so vigorously that a pillow was held over her face to drown the noise. And she suffocated to death.

Passions - On the night of 1st January 1930 a seventy year old American missionary, Hulda Stumpf, irascible but holding no special brief for Dr Arthur's views, was preparing for bed when an intruder broke in. Her body was found the following morning. She had been circumcised, and, it was alleged, raped. In fact later investigation showed no evidence of rape, or even attempted rape, though the government deemed it politically expedient to put this out as the crime committed, rather than circumcision. She was already partially undressed at the time her attacker entered through the window, and she undoubtedly suffered a brutal death. The pillow used to suffocate her - before the operation on her clitoris and labia was performed - was pressed down with sufficient force to break her nose. Nothing was stolen, and there was no vandalism. Both Dr Arthur and the Governor of Kenya, Sir Edward Grigg, used the murder to further their campaign against circumcision.

Grasshoppers - Female circumcision - Virginia's [Blakeslee] fellow teacher, Hilda Stumpf felt uneasy about the mission's rigid line. Privately she questioned if it was right 'to thrust upon African Christians rules of conduct that have not grown out of their own convictions.' They needed to be taught why one custom should be avoided, another utilized and a third purified; 'but the teaching will have to be done in LOVE and not by legislation.' On the evening of New Years Day 1930, Virginia mounted her mule and rode across a narrow gorge that separated Miss Stumpf's home from Kijabe mission. The two friends enjoyed a meal together with good chat and some prayer. The next morning Pastor Johana interrupted her breakfast. Distressed, he blurted out, 'Miss Stumpf was killed last night!' Hurrying to her friends little brick cottage, she found a totally different scene from the previous evenings peace. Rocks and shattered glass littered the bedroom floor. On the bed lay Hulda's body, brutally battered and partly covered by a mattress. Large black and blue patches on her neck showed where cruel hands had finally squeezed out her life. A rumour (which Dr. Blakeslee denied) spread that she had been circumcised.

Barnes - Kijabe Cemetery - Hulda Jane Stumph born Jan 10 1867 martyred Jan 3 1930, 22 years' missionary service faithful unto death

Red Book 1912 - Africa Inland Mission - Kijabe - Miss Hulda J. Stumpf