Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-06-29
In the Hands OF Brigands.

| The following is an interesting account
of the capture of the Suter family by
brigands, near Salonica, Turkey:
On Thursday evening, the 7th Of
April, at about 10. 80, Mr. and Mrs. Sutel
having retired to their sleeping apart
ment, Mr.. Suter being already asleep
but some of the servants still up In then
room, Mrs. Suffers attention was attract
ed by hearing the dogs round the house
bark furiously. Suddenly a dreadful
scream from one of the servants con
vinced her that brigands were in the
house, and prompted her to call to hel
husband, Harry Brgands J! MIR
Suter then sprang out of bed, seized hi'
rifle and rushed to the door, which he
opened, but, seeing the gallery full o
armed men, instantly tried to close Il
again. The brigands pushed it from thu
outside, trying to keep it open, but the
united efforts of Mr.. and Mrs. Suter
were successful in shutting and locking
it. Thus they stood for moment IL
their nightdresses, face to face with the
terrible reality that they We're In thu
hands of brigands, and terrified at thu
result of what was likely to ensue
Their hesitation was short; mut'
glance at each other decided their course
of action, and convinced them that they
had no one but themselves to look to fol
hope or protection. A knock was heart
at the door, and Mr. Suter asked quietly
and firmly who was there, and what was
wanted, while Mrs. Suter made rnsf
to the window, threw it open and calleo
out as loudly as she could to the soldiers
in the house opposite. The knocks ther
redoubled, and blows re westruck at the
door with an axe. Mr.. Suter then wen
to the window and called to the troops
when the brigands fired a volley from
the balcony of the house. This wa
evidently done to show that they wert
masters of the situation, and that al
attack by the soldiers would be perfectly
useless. The soldiers responded witt
another volley directed at the house, anc
the firing became general, the bullets
penetrating the walls and passing int
the rooms it was perfect miracle thai
no one was killed. Mrs. Suter and hel
child lay fiat on the ground under
thick quilted covering, while Mr.. Suter
rifle in hand, stood in readiness to receive
the first conner. Seeing, however, thai
the door was giving way, Mr.. Suter pur
sued the wisest and only course left tt
him-threw open the door and welcomed
them with 'Eattos Oriestf (welcome), and
extending his hand bade them enter. Ii
the mean time the firing had redoubled
the messengers of death from the rifles
of the Turkish soldiers entering the
dwelling on all sides. The danger wa.
imminent both to captors and captives
the latter standing In their nightdresse'
expecting instant death, till the brigand;
told Mr.. Suter the firing must be stopped
for the sake of all concerned.
Mr.. Suter hastily dressed and wen
out on the balcony to use his influence
to effect this indispensable measure
Fortunately his voice was heard and the
firing ceased instantaneously on botl
sides, whereupon he returned to the
room, and once more facing his captors
eight or ten in number, he quietly asked
them what they wanted of him. They
replied: fYour money or your life.
He replied ''Do what you like will
me, but spare my wife and child.
implore you, frighten her not, for she Is
ENcIENTE, and the result will he fatal to
her." This he repeated several times
an asked why they wished to harm hin
when he had not wronged them. One
of the number, rougher than the rest
approached Mrs. Suter, who was at the
further end of the room, and drawing
his sword, placed its point to her breast
and said, "Give me your money or L vii
cut your throat" Mrs. Suter neither
screamed nor tainted, but looking stead
ily at him said, 81 have only four lira'
in the house. They are in that box
take them if you wish.
He replied, 'It is lie. L will xii
you" She responded, 'You and
believe in the same Christ, and in Hi:
name 1 tell you that / have no NOR,
money, and Qaying bare her throat en-
nv throat if you will 1 can do no more.
He then said, 'It is lie What Eng
lishman lives without money in hi
house? We have been told that you
household expenses amount to f20 {
day; how can you have only four hra:
in the house?" He again held his sworC
toward Mrs. Suter, who then appealed
to her husband, and he addressed him
self to the brigands, and pointing to hi
wife, said, ''Did not entreat you not t.
brighten her? She is lady, and l asl
YOU to treat her as such.' On this tn,
brigand left Mrs. Suter, who took on
the four liras and gave them to him.
They then began appropriating ever,
article that they imagined could be o
the slightest use to them. Mr.. SUITE
then asked the brigands again what the,
wanted. They answered that that wa
not the time or place to discuss tina
subject, and ordered Mr.. and Mrs. Suite
to dress themselves and their child an,
accompany them to the mountain. Poo
Mrs. Suter followed these instructions t,
the best of her ability. Her little girl
pretty child of four years of age, VIII,
had been lying half hidden by Turkisl
quilt, with big, wide open blue eyes
quietly surveying the scene, now cam
out of her refuge and asked to be dresses
to go. Hastily throwing on some clothes
ing apparel belonging to her husban'
with the idea that they might be usefu
to him. Dressing was difficult matter
as the brigands had ransacked all tn
drawers, boxes, &C., in the room, an,
heaped their contents promiscuously o.
the fisor. To an uncourteous comman
made to Mrs. Suter to open box tina
was under the bed, she indignant
replied, 81 open the box for You ope
it yourself, or call somebody to do so"
. Mrs. Suffers quiet and dignifed man
ner evidently impressed these men, VIII
now became very respectful in thei
|, attentions toward her, and solicitous {
, surrounding her with every comfort ths
could be procured. One suggested tha
, the Madama, not being accustomed t
rough walking on the mountain, shoul
take the precaution of putting on
, strong pair of boots. Another propose
that tea, coffee and sugar should /
! carried with them; while another occ,
pied himself in preparing a bundle
/ quilts, blankets, &C., and laid hands @
a pile of towels and sheets lust in frol