The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-05
HER BRAVERY SAVED HER.
Anna Melons Escape From Murder
In the KOOTdiSh Mountains.

MISS Alud It4IOI, lL4c 9Otll4E AiA4t-l lCdll
missionary who was the victim Of an I'M
provoked and murderous attack by hired
thugs in the village Of Daree, in the Koor-
dish mountains last summer. and who
barely escaped with her life, arrived in
this city yesterday by the steamer Werra
from Genoa Italy. She Immediately made
her way to the Presbyterian Board Of
Foreign Missions, No 50 Fifth avenue,
under whose auspices she went to the
Mosul West Persia station six years
ago. from her home in the west.
The assault upon Miss Melton is con-
sidered one of the most serious crimes
committed by the Turks against an
American citizen in many years a~d from
the time of its occurrence has been the
subject of correspondence between the
United States government and that of
Turkey Thus far no adequate satisfac-
ton has been rendered. and only feeble
efforts have been made on the part of the
Turkish government to punish the guilty.
In fact the latest developments show
that the trial of the offenders has ended
in the discharge of the prisoners.
MISS MELONS STORY.
Miss Melton left Mosul on her journey
home two months ago, and, although IA
tigued by the long overland Journey. a
part of which she made accompanied only
by native helper and her subsequent
voyage, she was ready TO tell the story of
her experience at the hands of the law
less Koords over again TO her friends in
the mission rooms She is a tall, well
built woman, who, from her appearance,
is capable of taking care of herself under
ordinary circumstances, as her recital of
ls,s.
will show. This is the story of the mid
night attack upon her in her own words :
at was too warm TO spend the summer
in Mosul and so, with the Rev w. +.
Mcdowell | left that city last wear to
pass the heated term in the cooler region
Of the mountains. We had been over the
same country the year before, and were
most Hospitality received and, therefore,
we dreamed of no danger. Our destina-
ton was Amadia formerly fortress in
the mountains, the town being situated
on a solid rock.
Upon our arrival we purchased house
for a summer residence. it being the pur-
pose of Mr. Nc Dowell and his family to
remain there, while | should visit the viii
lagos in the vicinity. The first indication
Of trouble was conveyed to US in the NUT
terings of some of the Koords, because we
had succeeded in buying the house of
which have spoken, and upon which one
of the big men of the place had had his
eyes on for long time, but we thought
nothing of it, not believing it to be seri-
Gus. But the time will come when they
will be willing to give it away as we
heard afterward that the governor said.
FELT SAFE FROM DANGER
According to the schedule we had ar
ranged, ! started for the village Of Daree.
one of the settlements of the old Nesto-
rian Christians. half an hours Journey
away over a rough road. One of the Mes
torians, man OF prominence in the place,
accompanied me as my servant, while |
was also attended by a native pastor. The
Governor of Amadia offered us
the escort of soldiers, but those
individuals are of the most disreputable
character, and we declined their serv-
ices.
For the first few days everything was
most pleasant and agreeable in my TEN,
porary home. IL was harvest time and
the people were busy all day. In the
morning | had the village children with
me on the housetop, and in the evening
we held meetings in the same place In
that country the inhabitants of the vii.
lage live constantly on the roofs of their
houses in the summer, on account of the
scorpions which infest their dwellings,.
My tent was pitched upon the roof Of
lue mousse III WINCH was stopping. III
was ten feet by ten feet in dimensions
and covered the entire roof of the tiny
building, save a space Of sufficient width
to walk in on the outside. A girl servant
slept Just without my tent in this space
while the native pastor occupied a tent or
a roof o few feet away, and the old mar
whose guest was was also near by on q
roof little below the level of the one or
which | was | was so well protected, as
I I hot do, -
me, even if had reason to believe thai
danger was near
AN INTRUDER IN HER TENT.
'sOn the nightof June IA. five days after
my arrival in the village, l was awakened
and in the dim light saw n form leaning
over some OF my luggage on the opposite
side Of the tent, | thought that il was
the servant girl and called her name
Then the form rose. and l saw that it was
that of q man.
Even then, not thinking of trouble,
supposed it must have been the native
/ pastor, who had come in to get something
| from the saddle-bags, which were lying
/ there for the mules. | called his name
and had begun to tell him that l did not
wish TO have him in the tent, when the
/ figure advanced toward me, carrying in
/ his hand a heavy hickory club. with a
| crook at the end, which is one of the
/ GaVOflte Wea pOnS or Jne hOOrQS.
Before | had time to fully arouse my
self, the man advanced and struck at mt
with his club. His first blows. however
missed their aim for my bed was covered
with heavy framework of wood over
which hung n thick netting TO keep out
the insects. When thoroughly OWNED
/ his purpose, ! screamed at the top Of my
voice, and then heard the sound of rapid
firing outside, and that of people running
away.
The man finally broke down the heavy
| framework of my screen, and when
made an effort TO get up struck me re
peatedly over the head. My position was
made still worse, for | became entangleC
in the netting and could not defend my
self. But managed to get free at last
In the meantime he had thrown down his
/ club and taken one of the standards from
/ my canopy, with which he struck me sew
/ oral times.
pISARMED her AssAILANT.
How did it do not know. but man
aged TO wrest the stick from him We
struggled together until we had traverseG
the tent, when, in some way, he lost his
balance and fell of. While at the edge
Of the roof saw another figure, but he
soon made of, and neither appeared
again.
Blood was streaming from the wounds
! in my head and body upon which his
blows had fallen. and when l had been
/ left alone looked about me almost dazed
/ TO see II assistance was near But all