The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1845-12-02
TIL Il
Dcstrultlon anO 5acktn9
Of SciO.
BY REV. J. c. s. ABBOTT.

Scio was one Of the largest, richest and
most beautiful islands of the Grecian Ar
chipelago. It contained, at the commence
ment of the Greek Revolution, 10000
inhabitants. Extensive commerce had
brought to the island the treasures of the
East and West, and her opulent families,
refined in manners by European travel,
and with minds highly cultivated, afforded
the most intelligent and fascinating society
of the East. Schools flourished upon
the island, and richly endowed colleges
were crowded with Grecian youth. The
traveller, lured by the moonlight of that
gorgeous cline TO an evening stroll through
the streets of Scio, heard from the dwell
lings of the wealthy Greeks the tone OF
the piano and guitar, touched by fingers
skilled in the polite accomplishments
Many of these families were living in the
enjoyment of highly cultivated minds
and polished manners, rendered doubly
attractive by all the establishments OF
wealth.
The Grecian revolt extended TO this is
land. and Sultan Mahamoud resolved up
on signal vengeance. He proclaimed TO
all the desperadoes of the Bosphorus that
the inhabitants of Scio, male and female,
with all their possessions, were to be en-
tirelv surrendered to the Adventures, who
would embark in the expedition for It's
destruction. Every ruffian of Constantl-
nople crowded TO the Turkish fleet The
ferocious and semi-savage bOatmen OF the
Bosphorus, the scowling, Christian-hating
wretches, who IN poverty and crime,
thronged the lanes and the alleys of the
Moslem city; rushed eagerly to the squad
ron. Every scoundrel and renegade up
on the frontiers of Europe and Asia, who
could come with knife or club, was recei-
we'd with a welcome. In this way re-
enforcement of about ten thousand assas-
sins, the very refuse of creation, were
collected, and other thousands followed on
in schooners, aud sloops, and fishing
boats, swelling the number to about fifteen
thousand men, TO join in the sack and the
carnage. The fleet dropped down the
Rosphorus amid acclamations of Constan-
finople. Pera, and Scutari, and the rever-
beraIions of the parting rolled along the
shores of Europe and of Asia.
II was lovely afternoon in the month
of April. 1922, when this fleet was seen
on the bosom of the Egean, approaching
Scio. 1t anchored in the bay, and imme.
diately vomited forth upon those lll-fateo
shores the murderous hordes collected
for their destruction. Who can imagine
the horrors of the night which eusued :
This brutal mob, phrenzied with llcen
dousness and rage, were let loose witt
unrcstraincd liberty TO glut their ven
geance. The city was fired III every di
rection. lndiscriminate massacre ensued
Men, women and children were sho
down without mercy. Every house wa.
entered; every apartment was ransacked
The scvmetar and pistol of the Turl
were every where busy. The frantic
cries of the perishing rose above the roa
of exploding artillery and musketry, ant
the clamor of the onset. Mothers ant
daughters in their despair rushed into tn
flames o! their burning dwelling. AM
thus. for six dreadful days and nights, Oh,
the work of determination continue, I'll
the city and the island of Scio were
heapof ruins.