The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-08-06
A Bloody Battle Takes Place BE.
tween the Soldiers and the
Natives.
Sixty Natives and Fifteen Soldiers
Killed and Many Were
Wounded.
Riots Caused by Reports That the
Doctors Were Poisoning Cholera
Sufferers.

ST. PETERSBURG, August Letters
received here from Ashkend, a town of
Asiatic Russia in Syrdaria, report that
news in regard to serious riots that &C.
CURED in that place on July 6 in con-
nection with the cholera epidemic had
been suppressed by the government. the
strictest censorship being exercised.
From these letters it is learned that the
native Sarts, believing the doctors were
poisoning patients who were suffering
from the cholera, became greatly excited
and determined to put an end to the
murderous practices which they imag-
ined were being employed. The widest
JUNIORS were current of cruelties inflicted
by the medical men and these stories
had the effect of arousing the fury of
the people to the highest pitch.
Five thousand of the Sarts suddenly
invaded the Russian quarter of the town
and attacked and wrecked the residence
of Deputy Governor P~outinstron, who
fled but was overtaken and tramped to
death by the mob. Troops were called
out and fired into the mob. killing sew
eral. The Sarts who were armed with
pistols and daggers held their ground
and made a desperate resistance. The
two forces closed in on each
other and a furious hand to
hand fight ensued, the madened
Sarts, when their pistols had been
emptied. slashed furiously about with
their daggers and doing much execution
with these weapons. The drilled and
better armed soldiers were unable to
overcome their fanatical opponents and
additional troops had to be sent to their
assistance. They were reinforced by a
body of Cossacks and with the valuable
aid of these soldiers they finally succeed
ed in quelling the riot and dispensing the
Sarts in all directions.
The Sarts were not disheartened by
the repulse and soon took steps to re-
sumo attack. They collected around
the mosques and fortified them. The
troops concentrated their forces and
making a grand assault triumphantly
carried the mosques and a scene of
carnage ensued. The fighting inside the
structures was Of a most desperate and
sanguinary character. Although the Sarts
found they could not cope with their
opponents no quarter was asked
for nor was any given. They fell by
scores before the weapons Of the soldiers,
their desperate courage being unwaver-
ing and their defiance unceasing to the
very end. The character of the struggle
may be imagined when it is known that
sixty Sarts were killed and hundreds
were wounded, many most g~rievously.
The soldiers, too. suffered heavily, the
Russian loss being fifteen killed and
many wounded. Tremendous excite
ment was caused in the town
by the terrible affair and
the authorities found it necessary
to strongly patrol the while place both
day and night. Many arrests have been
made of persons concerned in the disor-
ders and there is no doubt an example
will be made of all those convicted of
completely in the riots. 1t is feared
there may be a renewal of the trouble
and precautions are being taken accord |
ingly by the officials. Troops are being |
largely reinforced and everything is be
ing done to put a summary and eifectual
end to any further disturbance on the
part of the Sarts.