The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-18
ATTACKED BY PIRATES.
The Recent Experience of Virginia Mis-
sionaries in China.

The Recent Experience of virginia Mis-
sionaries in China.
For the Iimes.l
Ashland, VA, Jan. 17.-SOme weeks ago
there appeared press report of an attack
by pirates upon party Of American mis-
slonaries travelling from Shanghai to SUI
chow, China The names of the party were
given, enc of whom was Miss LittletOu
Smithev. sister of Professor X. Il. Smithey,
Of Randolph Macon College. four CORE
spondcut. knowing Of Miss Smi,hey as a
Nirginian, with a large circle of friends and
acquaintance. visited Professor SmitheN
for an authentic account, so as 10 give it tn
the public through the columns of THE
TIMES.
FROM MISSIONARY HEADQUARTERS.
Miss Smthey sailed from America last
summer for China. She was assigned 10 a
position in the school Of which Miss Laura
HaygOOd is principal, at Shanghai. The
China Conference, which met last October.
transferred her to Somehow. TO fill "a place
in the boarding school for girls left vacant
bv Miss Phillips. resigned on account Of III
health. The thrilling attack occurred while
i0urneyng from Shanghai to SOuchOw.
Professor Smithey, upon reading the press
notice, communicated at once with the
MISSIONARY Uttu'l ltl AAANs anu AfANifRA III
following letter, written to Mrs. McGayOck,
secretary Of the Woman's Board of Mis-
sions:
SHANGHAI, Dee. ,, 1879.
Nv Dear Mrs. McGayOck; Wednesday.
November 10Th. Or. Phillips and Miss
Smithey left us for SuchOw. Thursday
evening about s O'Clock their boat was al
tackled by a band OF pirates, six IN number,
and a number Of valuable things taxed
from them. / send two copies OF the North
China Daily News, which will give you a
ull and. on the whole, very accurate &C
count OF the occurrence. The ladies re-
ceiyed no personal injury beyond the nerN-
Gus shock, and seem both 10 have pre-
served grea: presence Of mind through
the irving ordeal. IL has been many
wears since anything Of the Kind has
hlppcued in this part of China. No
ladies have had before. think, such
an experience on this canal. and tits not
likely % be soon repeated, perhaps never
again. | hope it will not be the occasion OF
new anNteties 10 tle friends OF our ladies.
The ladies are now both at their posts and
taking up work and study. Miss Smithey
has had "A very tryidg initiation into mis-.
.iouary work. but trust she has now got
ten into quiet waters and Will have smooth
sailing. LAURA a. HAYWOOD.
To Mrs. p. 4. McGlyock.
CONDENSED ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.
Appended is a condensed account taken
from the North China Daily News of Decem-
Der Sd:
From further particulars sent us by an
other correspondent, 10 appears that the at
Jack on the native boat which was convey
inc Mss Phillips and Miss Smithey, on the
night Of the 10Th ultmO. began few mile
IRON the walled city ef Quensaw.
The bOatmen fought brayely, but Were
oyerpOwered by the robbers, who broke into
the beat front and rear, and with sword
and revolver in hand demanded money. The
head toatman, who had reached the ladies
first. nut out his arms as if TO defend them,
but received blow from one Of the pirates.
of whom there were six, cutting through h +
wadded garment and INJECTING slight
desh-WOund. The frightened ladies' handed
ont the sum Of five dollars from their purse,
this being the amount OF their loose
change. OF course it was not sufhclenI,
and the men called for the opening OF the
trunks. One large trunk, belonging L"
Miss Smithey. was unlocked Dy her own
hand. and the robbers turned out its COZ
tents and selected such things as the'
wanted. 4 bracelet was taken from miss
Smitbev. and a ring from Miss Phillips.
The loss OF this ring was particularly eN-
asperating on account Of It's associations
il having been given by the lat
Miss Stafford 10 Miss Phillips, who
was her medical attendant. In the conin-
sion of turning the things out, packet oi
500 was overlooked. DR.. Phillips not being
able 10 find the key to her trunk, the humans
prised the hinges loose ana took large
amount Of clothing and other articles. Then
they rolled up the bed and took that also
I'm rolling it up from the foot, valuable
watch. which had been placed under the
pillow, clipped down among the luggage
and was aftcrward found. A pair OF
cold epectacles was also subsequently
found living on the floor among the debris
Dishes and such things as the robbers dId
not fancy were smashed up. The boaunen
were relieved of beds, clothing, Working
utensils. and even the rice brought for theiI
journey. The total value Of the property
stolen IS t'maied at $50. Alter the pirates
mad gone, the bOatmen rowed 10 QuensaW.
where a gunbOat was sent in pursuit. NeNt
dav the ladies arrived atSuchOw, Win nerve
badly shattered, but able 10 tell more
thrilling story than could many OF the oidesl
missionaries in China. The ladies say ihal
the leader of the band wore soldiers al l.
form. Two district magistrates have lheiI
Headquarters within the walls OF QuensaW
Their districts are Quensaw and oenyOns'
The robbery was committed In the SenYODg
district. This is The first time that such an
outrage has been suffered By the plissi0i'
though the missionaries are constantly
passing up and down between Shanghai ana
/ SuchON.