The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-02
The. Population Of an Asiatic Rus
sian Town Aroused to Awful
Fury.
Thought the Physicians Were Re-
sponsible for the Death Of
Cholera Victims.
1hs Governor Trampl Upon by tho Mob
Soldiers Defied and Withstood
for Several Hours.

TT. PETERSBURG, Aug. Letters receive
here from Ashkend. q town of Asiatio Rus
sla, IN Ssrdaria, reports that news in re-
gard to the serious riots in that place July
d In connection with the cholera epidemic,
have been Suppressed BY the government,
the atrictest censorship being exercised.
From these letters it 10 learned that the ma
tive Sarts, believing that the doctors were
poisoning patients who wsrs suffering from
cholera, became greatly excited and deter
mined to put an end TO the murdsrous
p actices which they imagined we're being
employed in cases of unfortunates stricken
with the terrible disease. Tho widest
rumors were current of cruelties afflicted by
medical men in causing the Immediate
death OF patients. and those stories had the
effect of arousing the fury of tho psople to
the highest pitch. Five thousand Garts
suddenly invaded the Russian quarters
and wrecked the residence Of the deputy
governor, who fed on the approach of the
bowling mob. His flight was discovered,
however, and he was pursued and ovsrtaken
in the street by the infuriatsd crowd, who
mercilessly vented their fury on the help
less official. He was maltreated in a terri.
vain and after being trampled upon he was
assailed with shower of stones until his
life had been beaten ont.
The authorities hsving become aware of
the state of affairs in the town took imme-
dlate steps to suppress the disorders and
protect the other officials. A body of troops
hurried to the scene. Arriving at tho place
where the defiant Sarts had assembled the
troops opened fire, killing several of them.
The Sarts armed with pistols and daRgers,
held their ground and made desperate re-.
slstence to the soldiers. The two forces
closed with each other and 4 furious hand
to hand fight esulted. The maddened
Sarts, when their pistols had been emptie !,
slashed furious!y about with their dnRpers
and did much execution with these weapons.
The drilled and motley armed soldiers were
unable to overcome their opponents and
additional troops had to be sent to their
assistance. Ihey were reinforced by a
body of Cossacks and finally the riot was
quelled and the mob dispersed.
The Sarts were not disheartened and COL
lected around the mosques, and, taking
these sditioes, dsted the authorities to do
battle with them. large number of SOL
dlers was dispatched TO the scene and at
tenn ted to dislodge them from their strong
holds. The Sarts made sturdy resistance TO
every effort OF the soldiers to drive them
from the buildings, and fred from loop.
holes with telling effect upon the invaders.
The oops at last concentrated their forces,
and making grand assault, triumphantlv
carried the mosques and scene of carnage
engued.
The fighting inside the structures was of
saneuinary character. Although the
Sarts found that they could not cope with
their military opponents. no quarter was
asked for, nor was any given. and they fell
by SCORES bsfoe . the weapons of the sol-
dies The character of tho struggle may
be imagined when it il known that sixty
Sarts were killed and many hund eds Of
them wounded. The soldiers too suffered
heavily, the Russian loss being fifteen
killed and many wounded. Many arr ests
the disorders. 1t 10 fesred there may bs u
renewal OF the troubles and precautions are
being taken nocordinQly.