The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-27
.22| LOST THEIR LIVES.
The Spanish Steamship San Ju n was
Destroyed by Fire.
TWENqY-NINE PEOPLE RESCUED.
Particular Of the Disaster Wanting The
Massacre of the Swedish Missionaries 1T
sungpu. China nandarins Took No Mo-
tice OF Their Appeal for Help.

SAN Francisco, July 27.-News has
been received at Hong Kong that the
Spanish steamship San Juan, loaded with
Kerosene, and which sailed on June 20
for Annoy and Manila Bon, was destroyed
by fire.
Out of ESQ people ON board only twenty
nine were saved.
Advices received here give full particu-
lars OF the barbarous massacre Of Swedish
missionaries which occurred on the first
instant at Sungpu, China. The two Swed-
ish missionaries, Rev. Mr.. Wikholm, and
Rev. Mr.. Johxnseu arrived In Sungpu
In April last and were the only missionar-
les in that town.
They had their Christian servants living
with them, and this little household OF
five people was the only Christian spot in
q large town peopled with most ferocious
and bitter enemies of Christianity. The
efforts of the missionaries and their con-
tinued presence in the town infiamed tho
passions of the people to the highest pitch
and kept them from making converts In
this stronghold Of paganism.
Two weeks ago the Chinese servants
heard that their masters were to he
murdered on the 18th Of July. They told
the two foreigner rs to lose no time in get
ting out of the town, but apparently the
poor men did not think the danger 30 very
pressing, for the only precaution they took
was to write letter to the local officials
telling them what was threatened and ask
, ing protection, an appeal OF which the
mandarins took not the slightest notice.
On the day named, the missionaries
were not left long in doubt as to the hos
tile intentions of the towns people. Early
in the morning the house where they lived
was surrounded by bowling mob
The missionaries came to the door, but
were greeted with a shower of stones. and
beat hasty retreat inside the house and
patiently awaited events.
Stones continued to be thrown almost
without intermission, SO that by o'clock
In the afternoon the windows were all
battered In, and the rooms inside no
longer afforded safe shelter from the mis-
siles that were rained in through all the
apertures.
The unhappy men then made desper-
ate but futile attempt to escape. Clam
bering out of one Of the upper windows at
the back of the house they reached the
roof, but as soon as they made their ap-
peafance on the top Of the house they BE-
came mark for perfect hail of stones,
some of which struck them, cutting them
badly.
The poor men dropped down into tie
street into the midst of wolves In human
shape who were thirsting for their blood.
A huge man smashed in the skull OF Mr..
Wickholm with an axe, and Mr.. Johan-
sen was speedily pounded out Of human
guiss by the shower OF stones and blocks
with bamboo bars that were rained upon
him The bodies were then stripped naked,
subjected to needless and revolving mutt
lation and left lying in the street prey
to the dogs, while the mob went of to
complete their work, some to loot and burn
the house occupied by the two poor mis-
sionaries and others TO catch and maltreat
the three Christian servants. Happily,
however, these men escaped with their
lives, and were spared to bring the tragic
story to Hankow.