New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-03
MISS MELTON'S ROUGH EXPERIENCE.
THE ATTACK MADE UPON HER IN THE KooRD
IsH Observation-Disclosures OF THE
Turkish GOVERNMENT.


IsH NTAINs-lNDrFFERENCE OF THE
TURKISH GOVERNMENT.
Miss Anna Melton the young American mission
arv who was the victim OF unpr0vOked and
murlerous attack by hired thugs in the village Of
Darec in the Koordish Mountains last summer,
and barely escaped with her life. arrived in this
city yesterday by the steamer Werra from Genoa,
Italy. Immediately upon her arrival MISS Melton
went to the rooms Of the Presbyterian Board OF
FOREIGN Missions at No. 50 Fifth-ave.. under whose
direction she went to the Mosul West Persia sta
ton six years ago from her home In the West
The assault upon Miss Melton Is considered ono
Of the most serious crimes committed by the turks
against an American citizen in many years, and
has been the subject Of correspondence between the
United States Government and Of Turkey.
Thus far no adequate satisfaction has been given
by the offending power. The trial or the guilty peo-
pie has ended Ia the discharge Of the prisoners.
Miss Melton is a tall well-built woman who.
from her appearance. is capable Of taxing care OF
herself under ordinary circumstances as her re
ctal Of her encounter with her savage assailant
VIII show. This is the story OF the midnight at
tack in her words:
1t was too warm 20 spend the summer in Mosul,
and ao with the Rev. ". h. Mcdowell left that
city last year pass the heated term IN tho cooler
region Of the mountains. We had been over the
same country the year before. and were most hos
pitaA!y received. and therefore " dreamed of no
danger. our destination was AmaGa. formerly a
the
on solid rock. Upon our arrival We purchased q
house FOR "A summer residence According 10 the
chedule We had arranged | started for The village
81 porcc one ~ the settlements Of the old HISTORIAN
Christians. hair an hours Journey over rough
road. one Of The Nestorans a man o. prominence
1 was also attended by native pastor.
For the first few days everything was most
on tn night OF June g. five days after my arrival
pa The village. Wa awakened. and In the dlm
hight saw form leaning oyer some OF M lnsg&se
on the opposite side OF thc tent | thought That
II was the servant girl ana called her name. Then
man. Even then. not thinking Of trouble. sup
i' '."'. u" - 49,, we iIt,lN' '"S."' m1'V ma
con" IN 70 got something from The saddle bags.
which wcro lying there Tor the mules. called his
% have him In tho tent when the figure advanced
t2%arl me- cafr{ng IN h.s hand heayy hlck9ry
favorte weapons Of the koords
BGi S, Gaa r mg fy To- GrSqse i myseh The
hrst blows. however. missed their aim. Cor my bed
was covered with a heavy framework 81 wood over
let's When thoToashy dincf ct his T pur 1p
screamed AZ tho top Of my voice. ana then heard
ne running away. The man anaily broke down
itr h'A't irame"ork ~ my screen. ana when
the head Ny position was made SIM worse for
p'cam" ent@neicd ~ tho nctiins and -oud got de-
lu the meantime no. had thrown down mis- club and
taken one ~ th" standards from my ,pnopy, with
3D. not know. bat managed 10 Wrest the stick rom
him We struggled together until ~ had traversea
The tent. when. IN some way. hc lost MS balance
AMI fell on. Nothing could be done until daylight.
when a messenger was sent 20 inform Mr. Nc
IoH"ll AZ Amadla Evidence was found 10 show
that the soldiers Of the Government the guilty
parties tn addition To two councillors. one
~ whom sat as the magistrate AZ the first hear
NIX Finally. through n" efforts or Mr. Mcdowell
nni the United States Government eleven persons
~crc arrested and tried. ~ these eight we're found
guilty. bat their cases were sent 20 tho higher
court ~ review AZ Bagdad. where they were stu In
prison when / left the country"
Mlss Melton had scarcely finished speaking when
the Roy br lnharcc secretary Of tho board.
.afnc 800 with letter from ~" Rcv. Mr. Mcdowell
which said that the prisoners who had been held
for tAc assault upon Miss Melton had been re-
leased hf The reviewing court az Etglld Nir
Mcdowell looked upon m" result ~ 'ne case
most disastrous 10 the cause Of missions and 20
the safety Of Americans IN Turkey. lie said that
10 made this Government a laughing stock. IL
could not protect Its own people II Is probable
that President cleveland VIII be communicated
with ~ once on the subject by The board
Miss Melton will start to-day lor her home IN
Fairfield. Iowa.