The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-08
MORE H0RRID CRUELTIES.
DEsTRO TING OYER ONE THOUSAND
PERSONS IN A CHURCH.
The Massacre Of the Inhabitants Of Bnrak-A
Priest and Others Mutiiated and Tortured
to Dcath-Thc Killed Estimated at 5000


From ne London T,aes
The next part of the report deals with
the case Of Batak-" the me st fearful tragedy
that happened during the whole insurrection"
The MedJliss OF Tartar lIaznriik. hearing that
preparations for revolt were going IN this viii
laee. ordered Achmet Aqua OF Dospat to attack
II, and this individual. having joined his forces
with those of MOhammed Agha Of DorkOva
proceeded to carry out these orders. On irving
at the village he summoned the inhabitants to
give up their arms, which. as they mistru-ted
him, they refused to do. and n desultory fight
succeeded, which lasted two days, hardly any
any loss being inflicted on either side.
On the 9th Of Nay the Inhabitants, seeing that
things we're going badly with them. and that no
aid came from without, had barley with Ach-
up their arms not hair of their heads should
be touched a cert1ln number of the inhab-
parley 10 make their escape.
The villagers believed Achmet's oath and sur
rendered their arms, but this demand was fol-
lowed 10y one for all the money In the VILLAGE,
which. Of course. had also to be acceded to. No
sooner was the money given no than the Dashi-
Ba1ouks set upon the people ana slaughtered
them like sheep. A large number OF pco le,
probably about 1000 or Loo, took refuge In the
church ana churchyard. the latter being sur
rOunuod by wall. The church itself Is solid
building. and resisted all the ATTEMPTS Of the
Is shi-Dazouks to burn IL from the ut-dc ;
they consequently fired in through the windows,
and, and getting upon the roof, tore OF the tiles
and threw burning pieces OF wood and rags
dipped in petroleum among the mass OF unhap-
py human beings Inside. At last the door was
forced In, the massacre completed. and the in
out Of these fatal walls.
The only survivor | could lnd was one old wo-
III N, who alone rem lined out OF IA family OF
seven. when the door was broken IN aud she
was expecting immediate death. Turk took
her by the hand, and saying " Come. old woman.
| am not going TO hurt YOU" led her away and
saved her life. The spectacle which the church
and churchyard present must be seen to he de-
scribed hardly CORPSE he's been buried /;
where man fell there he now lies. ana It Is
with difficulty that one picks ones way to the
door OF the chutch' the entrance 81 which Is
barred by Rnastly COrTse stretched across the
threshhuld. visited THIS valley OF the shadow
OF dentn on the 3l.t Of july, more than two
months and bali after the massacre. hut still
the stencil was 50 empowering that one could
hardly force ones way into the churchyard.
In the streets at every stop lay human re-
mains rotting ana swetering In the summer
sun-here skull OF AN old woman, with the
grey hair stu attached to IL there the false
yataghan, the head which IL adorned having
been probably carried on to be devoured by
some OF the dogs, who up to this have been the
only scavengers. Just outside the village /
counted more than sky skulls In little hol-
low, and II was evident from their appc rance
that nearly all OF them had been severed from
the bodies by axes and yataghans. From tho
remains of female wearing apparel scattered
about 1t Is plain that many Of the persons here
mnSSHcred were women.
1t is to be feared, also, that some of the richer
villagers were subjected to cruel tortures before
being put TO death. In homes that they would ro-
veal the existence OF hidden treasure thus
Petro 1riandaphyos and Pope Necio were
roasted. and slogan Stoychon had his ears. nose,
hands and feet cut on. Enough. | think. has
been said to show that to Achmct Agha and his
men belongs the distinction OF having commit
ted. perhaps. the most heinous crime that has
stained the history Of the present century, Nina
sahib alone. should say, having NV illed their
deeds. As regards the number OF killed. nave
before stated that about 1900 Is my estimate.
am aware that Others place II higher but he this
as IL may, whether tho slain are to De ,cOunte A
By hundreds or ty thousands does not lessen In
the least tue crimuil ty Of tue siayers. The in
tentiOn was To eXtsrminate all except those lew
girls tprubaOlN ABOUT eighty whom they carried
OH 10 satisfy their lusts. Those that escaped
owed their safety 10 their own good fortune, aud
not 10 the tender mercies Of their neighoors.