Orange Free State Province

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

formerly Orange River Colony, a state of the Union of South Africa. It has Cape Colony on S. and S. W., Bechuanaland on N. W., Transvaal Colony on N., Natal on E., Basutoland on S. E.; area estimated at 50,389 square miles, divided into 19 districts; pop. Europeans about 200,000. Native and colored, about 400,- 000. Capital, Bloemfontein. Lying about 5,000 feet above the sea-level, the country, chiefly vast undulating plains, is cold in winter, with violent thunder storms is, however and long, very droughts healthful able to European culturing and occupations, and pasturing wool, feathers the principal monds and other precious stones have been found in paying quantities, rich coal mines exist, and the State is said to abound in other mineral wealth. Gold was discovered in 1887. The Dutch Reformed Church is the dominant religion, and a Dutch dialect the language of the country. The country may now be borough, ( 1910) reached by railway from Port Elizabeth. The colony olony was founded in 1835-1836 by Dutch settlers from Cape Colony, annexed by Great Britain in 1848 in order to put a stop to the Boer outrages on natives but in 1854 it was recognized as an independent State. The great discovery of diamonds on the banks of the Vaal river, in May, 1870, led to conflicting claims by the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic but in October, 1871, the British annexed the disputed territory (See KIMBERLEY). In the summer of 1899, the relations becoming strained between the South African Republic and the British government, the Orange Free State declared its intention of supporting the latter in the event of war (See TRANSVAAL COLONY). After the defeat of the Boer forces, a military governor was appointed over the Orange State (March, 1900). Its annexation to Free the British empire was formally proclaimed at Bloemfontein, May 28. On Sept. 5, Lord Roberts issued a proclamation defining the policy of the British government in regard to the conquered State. See BOERS.