Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-07
THE ANTI.iEWIsH FURY.
Some Of the 0utrages that Have
Taken Place in Russia.
Murder, RapIne, Theft and Arson
as Agencies OfAgitatiOD,

The London News publishes long
description given by a Russian gentle
man named Myer Bankavitch, who
has just arrived from Smilla, in the
province of Goborno, in Southern
Russia, of the scenes there Of which
he was an eye witness. He says: 1.-THE
outbursts of terrorism occurred chief
ly at the monthly fairs, when large
numbers of farmers and peasants as
sembled in the town, and the towns
people melted the farmers to attack
other Jews. The drinking houses
were thrown open and drink was freely
given to the fanatical populace. The
public drinking houses kept by Jews
were first broken into and the casks
rolled into the streets, some of them
were smashed, and people drank the
spirits out of the streets. These acts
were followed by the breaking open
of the warehouses and places of bust.
ness kept by the Jews, which were
wrecked, goods of all kinds being
thrown into the streets and trampled
upon in the mad orgie which ensued.
Many of the populace of the town
Joined in the mob in their attacks,
while others, including even the po-
lice, melted them to continue their
violence. They broke into many
houses and plundered them in the
sight of the authorities, grossly ILL
treating the inmates in every instance.
One house was that of an old man
named Abraham Miller, who was
much beloved and respected by the
Jews. he was seventy years of age,
and lived with his wife, son and
daughter-in law and two grandchil-
dren. When the marauders attacked
his house, all the family took refuge at
the top Of the premises, and tried to
hide themselves. They were discov-
cred and fercely attacked, The old
man and his son, driven to bay, killed
two of their assailants, but they were
soon overpoWered and dragged down
the stairs and cruelty maltreated. The
women were outraged, and every mem
Der of the family including the chill
dren, was afterward brutally murder
ed. [ speak from my own personal
knowledge Of these facts, and, from
what | saw and know, | SOL
EMMY declare that there we're
not less than fifty or sixty women
and young girls outraged by the
mob One girl whom | knew init
mately died from the effects of this
revolving treatment. 1t is impossible
for me to give any idea of the number
of Jews killed, but the whole of the
1000 families were attacked, and num-
bers were killed, especially in those
cases where there was any attempt
made in defense. The reign OF terror
in Smiila lasted on one occasion for
thirty hours, there being no attempt
on the part of the police or the mill
tary to quell the riot" Few, If any,
OF the populace were arrested although
the atrocities of the Jews were com
mitted wholesale and under the eyes
OF the soldiers, who frequently helped
the rioters to maltreat the Jewish
people.
The report of the commission ap.
pointed at Warsaw to relieve the vic
TINS Of the nti-Jewish riots there
shows that altogether that there were
2Oll families ruined, numbering about
10000 souls. They include 246 publ
cans, 28l tobacconists and other re-
tail shopkeepers, 499 eatinghouse
keepers and others engaged in the
supply of refreshments, 3l8 workmen
and 434 employers. During the riots
there were demolished 292 liquor
shops, COB eatinghouses, warehouses
and synagogues and 1893 private
houses, ali the property of Jews.