The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-05-14 00:00:00

PARTICULARS, &c., OF THE GREEK

MAESACRE.

Amid the horror caused by the accounts of the recent
atrocities by the Greek brigands, it has been with a
kind of savage satisfaction that the public has learnt
that some at least of their number have met with the
condign punishment they had so wickedly earned. Tne
name of brigand has Icng been associated with ideas of
heroic bearing and romantic generosity, but the mer-
cenary and brutal wretches who perpetrated the recent
horrors have effectually dispelled these fictions. A
photograph just published will assist to show
what the brigands of Attica really are. It is a repre-
sentation of the heads of the seven villains who were
shot by the soldiers, and afterwards decapitated. None
of them appear to be very young, and the majority are
of middle age. In two instances the faces are dis-
figured by wounds, but in others the ordinary aspect
remains. One is positively fearful in its uglins PS. but
several are only noticeable for the truculence displayed
on them. One head, with matted hair obscuring a
low forehead, impresses the beholder with the ides that
in life the man who bore it would never have shrunk
from cruelty nor listened to an appeal for mercy. The
youngest faces are the least repulsive, but all of them
are of the lowest type, and indicative of savage greed.

wvociated

In further explanation of the incidents
with the massacres by the cowardly brigands, Mr.
Edgar Drummond, writing under date of the Bth in
dant, has Bent the following for publication:—

As there appears to be an impreskton that lots were drawn
to decide who should go to Athens to obtain the money neces-
sary for the ransom of the captives on Mount Pentelicus, you
will, perhaps, allow me to state that nothing of the kind oc-
curred. The conversation of the captive. on this subject re-
lated solely as to the means at the disposal of each for pay-
ing or raising so large a sum as .05,000. Lord Muncaster said
he would guarantee half the entire sum, and Mr. Vyner said
Ire would guarantee the remaining half, and that the details
should be settled when all were at liberty it thus resolved
itself into a question between Lord Muncaster and Mr.
Vyner, who should go to Athens, and Mr. Vyuer at once re-
quested Lord Munc:orter to go. It may he remembered also
that at that time there was little or no apprehension for
their safety, it being considered as merely a money oleetion.
The chief anxiety was for Lady Muncaster and Mrs. Lloyd,
who, at, half-past stale the evening, had been mounted on
two gendarmes' horses, arid, with two gendarmes for protec-
tion, had left them on a wild mountain side, 16 miles from
Athens. . .
" "

I venture to write thus positively as my brother-In-law,
Lord Muneaster, has kept me fully informed of every circum-
stance relating to this unhappy affair, in its minutest detail,

I also think It right that the public should be made ac-
quainted with the generous and prompt conduct. of Her
Niajest)'s Consul at the Pinells, and manager of the lonian
Bank, Mr. Merlin, who within a few hours of Lord Muneaster's
arrival at Athens plaecd the sum of £20,000 In gold at the
disposal of Lord Muucalter and Mr. Erskine.

The Eanophylax, which appeared with a black
border, thus speaks oft he shocking affair :--

- - .
After having captnred the honourable strangers, the bri-
gands of the band of the Arvaniteos declined to accept any
terms for setting them at liberty other than an enormous
ransom, and that facilities should be given them to leave the
country. The brigands demanded the convocation of a
national assembly and the formation of a court of assize,
which should try them ill their absence. They wished they
did not know exactly what. Everyone began to be convinced
—those most interested especially—that longer toleration
could effect nothing. It was attempted to compel the bri-
gands to come to an arrangement. But It appears that the
brigand under the influence of an °Moms stupidity, had
determined to kill their captives. To-day Friday) we
learnt the Fail news thxt the brigand 3 had murdered the
honour ,ble strangers. They centeinp,ated flight, and
tried to persuade the soldiers who were surrounding them
that they were willing to accept theransorn. They attempted
to escape, thinking perhaps afterwards to perpetrate their
crime in safety. The army was about to stop them, but did
not attack them. rhen, In sight of the troops, they drew
their yataithans and carried out their threat Seeing this,
the soldiers rushed furiously towards them. The river Aso-
, pos, swollen by the recent rains, did not appear fordable.
Despite the evident danger, however, they crossed it, and the
blood of the noble strangers was avenged by the death of the
two chiefs of the hand. The bodies of six brigands were
found afterwards ; eight fled, and are now being pursued;
cue was taken, the rest were wounded or are in hiding. The
army was furious. The band of the Arvaniteos is destroyed,
but Greece will pay dearly for this massacre. Its hospita,,le
soil has been reddened with the blood of the honourable
strangers. Infamous criminals have inflicted upon her these
cruel wounds.