The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-10-30
ASKABAD AND THE TEKKES.
Habits and Customs of the Recentiy.Con
querad Subjects of the Russians.

n correspondent Of The London NeWS
writes rs follows, under date of July
26: Askabad, or Ashkabad, as it is
called by the Persians and Turcomans,
when compared with other Villages
and halting-places in the Tckke terri
tory, deserves to a certain extent It's
poctlcaI appellation, 1.-The Abode of
Love- for such is the meaning of the
name. The place was formerly a mere
village situated in an extensive but
only Authenticated valley lying he
tween two ranges of hills, which sup
ply 1t with water. 1t was here that
the merchants from Persia, chiefly of
Yomut and the Goklan Turcomans, met
the Tekkes for the purpose Of barter
ing their goods. The Russians, after
the capture of Gcok-Tepe, the Tekke
stronghold. which cost them so much
blood, deeming the place unit for the
new province. left there Il garrison of
fifteen hundred men, and took them
selves to Askabad, which they made
the chief town OF their newly acquired
territory. Here they began to build,
and have continued since to erect
many edilices necessary for the ac-
commodation of the administrative
body, the military, and other officials.
In addition they built IL church, Il
small hotel, and two c~aravansarais.
They encouraged also people of every
country to come and settle in the new
town, Moreover, to make sure of
their conquest and TO prevent future
rebellion or scdition, they tried and
partially succeeded in disarming the
Tekkcs. They took the fleet aud
choice horses from the conquered pco-
pie, and compelled many of the chiefs.
notables, and heads of families to
have fixed dwellings, ut Askabad, or ut
other villages, and to Engage in
agriculture.
Askabad has now besides the Mill
tary, numbering about 5000, IL popu.
lation of more than 5000 inhabitants.
About 3,00) are Persians and Persian
Turks. 2,4OO are Turcomans, 800
kurds, $50 Russians and 80 Armen.
lans. Under the Russian influence
and by the influx of foreign settlers,
chiefly from Persia and Caucasia, a
new mode of life was introduced in
the Tekke villages, and especially in
Askabad. The simple and patriarchal
T%urcoman, who lived exclusively on
coarse bread and camers milk, who
scarcely ever tasted flesh, and knew
no drink but water, has now been
brought by the new civilization to
have numerous wants and to feel the
loss of luxurics of which until lately
he had no idea. The town-dwelllng
Turcoman now takes tea and vodka"
as habitually as any Russian; but he
swallows them while c~ursing those
who introduce them into his country,
and by ascribing the cause of his trans
erosion of the ancient laws and Gus.
toms to the fate which allowed Tur-
comania to be conquered by foreigners.
This change of the popular habits, to-
gether with the construction of the
railway, has added to the consolidation
of Russia's dominion in that country.
Her hold is sure on those Turcomans
who live in villages, have fixed dwell
ings, or are dependent on her for their
substance. But the Turcomans with
fixed residence form out a small por-
ton of the inhabitants of the country.
The bulk of the Tekkes have stuck to
their old habits and customs. Child
rem of the desert, the desert belongs
to them; there they lead q semi-inde-
pendent life; there they are safe us
long as they have camels, on whose
backs they can travel and on whose
milk they can feed. The Russian
troops cannot without great efforts
and extensive and costly preparations
pursue on Il sandy desert almost de-
void of water refractory parties who,
ever on the move, leave behind them
neither possessions nor trail.
The only thing which might compel
the wandering Tekkes to submit to
Russia is the fact hat they have to
buy once a year supply of wheat for
their own use. But as this supply is
obtained from Persia through the
Iomut and Goklan Turcomars, CO.
religionlsts and brother tribes. and on
Il frontier which is more than four
hundred versts in length, it will be
easy to eluLc the preventive measures
which could be taken by the Russian
government. unless indeed the latter
kept strong detach ncnts on The whole
length Of the frontier. The feelings
of the Tckkes toward their masters
are not those of affection. The bazaar
gossip. rs we'll as the evening gather
Ing talk among them, turns principally
on the prospects Of the war considered
by them inevitable. The elders re-
present VITA some conlplacency to
'hcir Tcingc- listeners that some Co.
OrO Afghans are cncampiny outside
the walls Of Herat, and more than
100000 Engl sh on the Indian frontier
waiting riders to march against the
Russians! This eXaggerntion of the
strength of Russia's antagonists is in.
dicativc of the Tekkes' inward desire.
They hope that in a struggle between
Russia and England the ears army,
which is put by them at forty thou
sand at the most, will not be able to
make head against such formidable
forces. and in the general discomiit.
ure OF the Russians they may regain
their liberty, or ut least be able to
loot the fugitives and plumber freely
the new settlers. In any case, if war
! oyer hraakS nnt -RnSSia non mt ,ol,-