The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-02
Ignorant Peasants Maddened Through
Fear Of Cholera.
TERROR MADE EVEN THE TIHID BRAVE
There Vas Belief That The pOetOrS Tortured Their
Patients, and SO the HOhammedanS Turned
Fiercely Upon Their Russian Masters.
special 70 THE MORNING CALL

ST. PETERSBURG. Aug. Letters re-
seived here from Ashkend. q town Of
Asiatic Russia, in Syrdaria, report that
news IN regard to serious riots in that place
on July 6, In connection with the cholera
epidemic. has been suppressed by the Gov
eminent. the strIctest possible censorship
being exercised.
From these letters 1t is learned that the
native SaTtS, believing that the doctors
were poisoning the patients who were suf-
fering from cholera, became greatly excited
and determined to put an end to the MUIR
derous practices which they imagined were
being employed Ia the cases of the unfor-
tunates stricken with the terrible disease.
The widest rumors were current of the
cruelties inflicted by the medical men in
causing the immediate death OF patients,
and these stories had the effect of arousing
the fury of the people to the highest pitch,
Without the slightest warning of the CON-
ing danger, 5000 Sarts suddenly invaded
the Russian quarter and wrecked the resi-
denee of the Deputy Governor, who fed on
The approach of the bowling mob. His
flight was discovered. however, and he was
pursued and oTertaken IN the street by the
iniuriated crowd, who numerically vented
their fury upon the helpless official. He
was maltTeated IN horrible manner. all of
bis pleas for mercy being IN vain, and after
being trampled upon he was assaiied with
shower Of stones until his life was liter
ally beaten out.
The authorities. having become aware of
the state of affairs in the town, took imme-
dlate steps 10 suppress the disorders and TO
protect the other officials. At once a body
OF troops was hurried 10 the scene. ATTiv-
Ing at the place where the defiant Sarts had
assembled. the troops opened fire, killing
several Of them. The Sarts, however, were
armed with pistols and daggers, and they
held their ground and made a desperate re-
Sistance to the soldiers.
Then the two forces closed iD on each
other and furious hand-to-hand fgAt re-
suited, the maddened SaTts when their pis-
tOls had been emptied, slashing furiously
about with their daggers and doing much
execution with these weapons. The drilled
and better-armed soldiers were unable de-
spite their advantages, to overcome their
fanAtlcal opponents, and more troops ad
10 be sent TO their assistance. They were
accordingly re-enforced by a body of Cos
sacks, and finally the riot was quelled and
the mob dispersed.
But the SaTts were not disheartened. and
collected around mosques, and taking these
edl1eeS, deded the authorities 10 do battle
with them. Large numbers Of soldiers
we're dispatched 10 the scene, snd attempted
10 dlslodge them from their strongholds
The SaTts made sturdy resistance 10 every
effort OF the soldiers TO drive them from the
buildings. and fred from loopholes with
telling effect upon tile invaders.
The troops at last concentrated their
forces, and making a grand assault, tri-
unIphantly carried the mosques, and a
scene of carnage ensued. The fighting in
side the structures was Of the most des-
ueTate and sanguinary character Although
the Sarts found they could not cope with
their military Cd Onents, no quarter was
asked for, nor was any given, and they fell
by scores before the weapons of the
soldiers.
The character of the struggle may be
imagined when it is known that 60 Sarts
we're killed and hundreds Of them wounded
The soldiers, too, suffered heavily, the
Russian loss being Is killed and many
wounded.
Many arrests have been made OF persons
concerned in the TioIs, but the authorities
are in constant fear that there may be a
renewal Of the trouble al any moment, and
precautions are being taken accordingly.
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. Cholera has
made its appearance in the prison at Tomsk,
the capital Of the government of that
name in West Siberia. Already 10 cases
and eight deaths have been reported by the
prison authorities.