The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-01-17
A Yankee in Syria.


american 7raucicr Sketches thus Il
unique specimen Of those few Americans
who have voluntarily gone into pctma-
nent exile abroad:
"Then he'll do it'll" exclaimed the
man to whom I had said that we had en-
gagged Rolla Floyd to accompany MS
from Damascus to Jaffa. "You have
been fortunate in securing that mysteri-
ous man. His name is worth hundred
rifles against any tribe i'll Syria.
Floyd was one Of colony OF Ameri-
cans who left the pine forests OF Maine,
in the United States, some ten ora dozen
years ago, to settle in the Holy Land.
But dissensions, bitter and irreconcila-
bic, arose among them in Jaffa; they
were looked upon with hate and suspi-
cion by Jews, Alnbs and Mohammedans;
their crops were stolen rs fast as they
ripered, and many Of the men, falling
ont OF work, took to drink. They lost
their lands, bordering tho plaina OF
Sharon, near Jaffa, by a fine point OF
Turkish law, and, through the combined
effects OF death, ill.luck and licentious-
ness. tho members. became mad, drunk
and reckless, and OF MI that devoted
Praying band, every member Of which,
when leaving America, was Justly famed
for purity, piety, faith and virtue, there
only remains in Palestine, Us far as l
could ascertain, Rolla Floyd aud his
worthy and amiable wife.
Mrs. Floyd made friends among the
natives by her needle, her medicine and
her patient tenderness with oil who
were afflicted, while Mr.. Floyd started
the pioneer express OF Syria by carrying
letters and packages between JatE' and
Jerusalem, on week days. t, 49,.
His fine athlt tic form, and his wonder
ful strength, coupled with his invariable
kindness OF heart and mildness OF tenn
per, soon created marked sensation
among the natives, for, when finding
them in personal quarrel, and rolling
in the dust like fierce mastiiis, he FIRE.
ouently rushed into the crowd, and,
erasping the two combatants by the
napes Of their necks-one in each hand
slowly walked down to the sandy
shores Of the Mediterranean, md soused
them into the briny surf until promise
of peace and reconciliation had been
given. Frequent attempts were made
to rob his express Of valuable packages,
bnt he always managed to capture one
or both Of the bandits, and, compelling
them to listen to IN impressive sermon
OIL honesty, he always lot them off on
receiving promises Of reformation. By
this kindness, in not turning his prison
ers over to Turkish vengeance, aud his
entire fearlessness, he in time became as
great anidol among the desperate thieves
and cutthroats as hs was among the
most upright.
With memory that seems to DO with
out limit, he shortly became entire mas
ter Of the Arabic, SO TINT he speaks it
with MI accurate Auency acquired by
few not born on the desert. In his
familiarity with the Bible, he surpasses
all men have ever seen, quoting from
memory almost ny verse that may be
called for between Genesis and Revela-
tions. 1t is asserted by those who have
known him intimately for years, that
they have never seen him display anger,
surprise or boisterous mirth. Travelling
as n missionary throughout the entire.
length and breadth OF Palestine, and be-
coming familiar with every lake, hill,
valley, cave, stream and mountain men.
toned in the Bible, he is to.day the best
informed in biblical history and typog.
raphy OF any man living. The American
government has twice offered him n con.
sulship; but his reply has been: 81
shall make less money, but perform more
labor among the poor children Of God,
by remaining in the field"
Once every month no regularly makes
his appearance in Jerusalem, and tnkes
his seat in the East as the W. NJ. Of tho
ROYAL Solomon Mother Lodge, F. A. NJ,
which position he has long held by the
unanimous vote OF the members.