Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-08
PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS.
Hundreds WOunded-Old Men and
Helpless Children Beaten--StOres
and Dwellings Robbed. Etc.

The following statement is translated
from Botuschany, Roumania, special
correspondence Of the Neue Freil Press
of Vienna, dated June 4th:
For some time past the hatred against
the Jews resident in this place, which
has long been entertained by the COM
mon people of Botuschany, has been cul-
minating in petty outbreaks and reveal
ing all the symptoms of an approaching
storm. The gentlemen students here,
particularly, are the class who seem
emulous Of winning laurels by maltreat-
ing everybody and everything that is
Jewish, no matter what.
On Saturday, the 2lst of May, about
halfpast nine p. M, these gentry assem-
bled in tumultuous throng, and, with
the aid Of the rabble, began their jew
hunt" as they call it, by attacking and
insulting some harmless passers by.
They next rushed, like pack of mad
dogs let loose. into the streets mostly in
habited by Jews, and committed wild ex-
cesses. Not window was left whole.
They forced their way into many of the
houses and abused everything that come
In tnelr way " UNA1
One scene bordering on utter barbar-
ism was witnessed by the writer of these
lines. 1t took place in small dwelling
where the business manager, ;. T.,slives
with his numerous family. He was sit
ting there quietly and peaceably when,
furious crowd came along and beatin his
windows. In vain did the poor man be-
seech the rabble to spare him, reminding
them that he was the father of five little
children, and, moreover, had his aged
parents living with him. They replied
to his entreaties only with curses and de-
risive laughter, shouting to him;
Come out here, jew, and we'll drag
You through the streets by the beard. u.
They then broke in his door with axes
and beat the poorwr wretch and his wife so
fearfully that the latter lies in hopeless
condition. Nor did they spare the
father, an aged man of seventy, or the
poor old bed-ridden mother.
And where, in the meantime, were the
police? At a safe distance from the
scene, saying, probably, to themselves,
"What don't burn us we neednt trouble
ourselves to put out. Indeed there are
many who affirm that the police were
hand and glove with the rioters.
In another street were fifty or sixty
Jewish young men awaiting the moment
when they, too, should be attacked, and
determined to defend themselves and
their kindred. Several of the better
class" of gentlemen residents whom |
shall not name, for they are well known
there as instigators of disorder, de-
nounced the little party, exclaiming;
p "What, you fascals, are you going to
show fight? Do you think that you are
in your own countryg
And, at signal whistle from these
gentlemen the brave little band was sur
rounded by a throng of about one hun
dred students and street rowdies Yet
there was no hand to hand affray, very
likely because it was easier to deal with
single individuals. 1
The students had hardly gone away
ere the young men retired TO their dwell
ings, thinking no further I'LL.
In fifteen minutes afterwards the same
maneuver was repeated that had taken
place in the other street. Mr.. Politzers s
synagogue was rudely abused, and a
smaller house of worship almost demol-
ished. Not even the schools were
spared. At last heavy rain storm, oc-
curing about half an hour after mid
night, put an end 10 the uproar.
But at eight o'clock on Sunday morn
ing the dance recommended, and it was
only with the greatest difficulty. that
quiet could be restored by seven o'clock
in the evening. altA -i
Many Israelites were severely wounded,
and it is alleged that some fell victims to
the fury of the populace. 49,,
Aged men and women and little child
rem were pitifully cuffed and kicked in
the streets and alleys, and even stoned.
+ The damage by robbery is not as large
as was at first believed, but there was
robbing done and q great
amount of breakage.
In the public houses the spirituous
liquors, etc, were poured out NJ /
Tranquility is restored for the moment, |
but business is completely suspended,
and the Jewish shops will remain closed
until a reinforcement of military can
have time to arrive.irom Jassy.
Botuschany is not an unimportant
town In Moldavia, not very far from the
Bukovina Austrian boundary line. 1t
counts from 1000 10 1900 inhabitants,
and has the most frequent market OF the
region.