The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-10-14
itself an indncement to venture among
the fanatics.
THE PROCESSION

itself an indncement to venture among
the fanatics.
THE PROCESSION
makes its appearance. First are repre-
sented Hussein's horses at Kereb LA,
which wear housings of white cloth,
into which are stuck arrows, and by
each arrow are painted the flowing
blood with realist effect; on some of the
horses sit little children-two only, l
think-ihey represent the children of
| Hussein. The horses are led by black
! slaves. An open circle i. made by the
| police, affording the train long march
through the crowd. | became quite eff
fected with the horrid spectacle, most
revolving of which was the scene of 200
men who followed the decorated horses
of Hus sein. These men wera each clad
IN a long white gown. with a band
about the waist: their arms were bare
and with the left hand they TAI firm
grip IN each others waist band, while
in the right hand they grasped wicked
looking knife, having two edges and be-
ing of Eastern pattern. They moved
sldewise in two long strings with long
measured stride, at each stop brandish-
ing the large woedged knife towards
their heads, which were Clearly shaven
Oh the crown, and wildly holloing:
"HuSSeirl. Hussein; Ahi HusSien. ;; SHAH"
1t was sensational to see them bring
the polished steel toward their shining
pates whic" however, We're not de sign.
ed to be cut IN this scene. One or two
forgot themselves in brandishing the
blade and hacked their heads. which
ones were taken bleeding from the
ranks.
THIS ENDED THE FIRST SCENE
after they had ma rchsd six times around
the large circle. This train now left to
perform at the Yildiz khan near by,
where large crowd had gathered, but
much smaller than ours on account of
the slzs of the khan; the band of
mourners from that khan were to
come and perform at ours.
We had not to wait long until we
again heard heard the pipers who led,
and the same sad dirge of "Ah! Hus-
sein." The second scene commences.
This train is. if ANYTHING, longer than
the first, having in addition to the 200
bare backs following Immediately
after the horses and raining
steady blows with iron chains on
their already raw and bleeding backs.
Now folio v the 200; they have already
passed through the first stage and are
now sadly ohopping away at their poor
heads as they shout
"AH HUssEIN, HUSsEIN, sHAHl"
IN confused roar. As they pass our
station, and the glare of the many
amps and torch lights rsYesl the blood |
Of the half fainting men trickling down
their long white shrouds, the scene is |
most slckening. Those of my Persian |
who didn't cry the first scene,
loT weep aloud for Hussein. Their
anatical acts were frightening, so | |
began at once to make my way toward
,ome orthodox Musselmen, which pre-
rented me from witnessing the process
lion as it passed the second and last
lime. had, however, seen enough,
ind would now have gladly gone out.
)ut that was next to impossible on &C
count of the crowd. "Once more" said
! staunch old Turk with green tur-
IAN, land then it will be finished"
This "once more" was the re-appear-
ng of the first band. They were
'loody looking lot this time; the m
ensity OF their fauaticism was some-
hing terrible. Men had to ward Off the
low of the most excited with sticks
eld above their heads from behind.
Iany Of them sank to the ground ex-
lausted from loss of blood and were
arried away oy friends. still family re-
eating the dirge of "Ah! Hussein !"
twice the band managed, in tottering
ate, to march around the larg5 circle,
7hep the plav ended.
What dreadful thing religious
anaticism really is when thoroughly
reused. No wonder that 1t has had
UGH tremendous force in shaping the
estinies of the world. MAYBE some
f the men will die" said an Osmanli, :
but they don't care so long as it is for
Husseip.". GLOVE.