Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-07-25
TURKEY MUST ANSWER
For the Inhuman Treatment of
an American Missionary.
MISS MELTON CRUELTY BEATEN

In the Far on HISTORIAN Mountains, Alone
and at Midnight, She Was Attacked by
Unknown Fanatics and Almost Killed.
State Department win Investigate
NEW YORK. July 25.-Letters Were re
ceived by the Presbyterian board OF foreign
missions in this city containing news OF an
unprovoked attack upon Miss Anna Mel
ton, an American missionary, who was
stationed at the time of the outrage in a
little village among the HISTORIAN noun
tains in Turkey. Miss Melton escaped
with her life. but was merCilessly BEATEN
and bruised by her assailant.
The letters containing the story Of the
assault are dated from Amadia. Turkey,
June "A last. \ little more THAN a week
before that date the Rev, F. w. Mellow
ell. with his family. in company Of Miss
Melton. left Mosul. a missionary station in
West Persia. to 20 to Amadia, Turkey. a
journey OF five days duration. Having
reached their destination in safety, Miss
Melton proposed to continue on to the
mountain village of Duree. some miles
away. She had received an invitation
from the people there TO make them a
visit. Although the route was some
what dangerous one. Miss Melton went
unattended. save by her servant and a ma
tive preacher. who was considered TO k
wholly trustworthy.
On the night OF her arrival she pitched
her tent on the roof of house in the vii
lage, as is the custom Of that country. The
preacher slept on the roof about 10 feet
from her tent. and members of the family
owning the house also occupied places not
far away. There was no Indication at any
time OF hostile feeling ON the part Of any
one against the American. On the con
trary. her reception having been most
friendly.
a Midnight AssAilant-
In the middle of the night. however. sh'
was awakened from a sound sleep by tbs
appearance Of a man in her tent. The In
truder was armed with heavy stick
| With this weapon he began to attack tn
defenseless woman. who screamed loudl!
| for assistance. No one came TO her aid
| however. and she was compelled to defen'
herself single handed. In some way III
was able to break away from her aSsailan
| and ran bleeding from the tent. The MAJ
followed. but in the darkness missed hi
footing and fell to the ground At tn
same time other forms were seen running
about. and the sound Of firearms was hear
from the distance.
No trace could Miss Melton find OF tn
preacher or OF the others who had occupie
the roof with her. They had all fed i
terror without giving her any help. Sh
was brutally cut about the head and body
and blood was flowing from her wounds I
such a degree that her night clothing Wa
saturated When all had become qui,
again, some of the people in the house an
others who had fled at the first intimatio
of danger appeared on the scene Mi.
| Melton managed to dress her injuries he
self. and the following day was carried t
Amadia, where the others Of the mission
airy band were staying.
| A subsequent examination OF her tel
showed that few of her effects had bee
stolen. but robbery was evidently not II
| purpose of the attack upon her. Mr.. NJ
Dowell laid the case before the authorize
but was able to obtain but a small measu
OF satisfaction.
After much insistence on the part Of VI
Mcdowell an inquiry was instituted
| the authorities, but little satisfaction WI
had. Although there were a dozen
more people within the sound of Miss VI,
tons voice not one of them would n
knowledge that he heard her cries for hcl
From this and other circumstances it
believed that the men engaged in the q
tack were not the rnbher koorCis, hut ci
zens of the place. who had been melted
the deed. 1t is possible that the origin
the trouble may have arisen in Amad
and that Miss Melton may have bteu {,
lowed from that city. according tn [
:, opinion of the mem hers OF the board T
matter has been called to the attention
the state department At Washington. Al
a rigid investigation : likely to in>ue.
Miss Anna Melton. the victim Of the d;
rage, has beeu a missionary Of the PrySI
terrain church for many years, She "
:, appointed from Randolph. la