Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-20
HORRIBLE TALES
Of Suffering, Cruelty and Out
RACES from Armenia.
Inhuman Acts by the Turks, That
Surpass Anything Yet Told.
More Evidence Why Civilized Countries Should
Proceed in The Matter.


received by reliable parties in Boston
from an American resident in Turkey
the value of which consists in it's accounts
If interviews with refugees and returned
soldiers, some of whom have been witnesses
before the commission of the European
powers
While at MoOsh, Feb. 1927, 1895, / saw
large number of persons who had
escaped the sad fate which befell many OF
their kindred. Having fed from the
scenes of horror, they had found tenn
porary refuge in the city and surrounding
villages. l saw MAN by the name of
Tavon, a most intelligent person. "rais" of
the village of Semal. He gave deeply
pathetic account of his experiences. He
is one of five brothers, one of whom died
ia Mocsh prison; three brothers and a
| large number from their households were
killed at the time of the massacre
Tavon said the Kourds attacked them
| first but were unable to do much damage,
as the Armenians had the advantage in
position; also that when the soldiers, who
were as the soil for numbers. 'came, some
Armenians fled to Koordish villages
where they were received and protected
but the government. calling the chief
men, told them that they defended the
refugees at their peril The friendly
kourds told this to the poor people, bid
ding them flee for their lives.
l should say that this Tavon was sue
cessful in gaining admittance to the COM
mission and giving his testimony before
it. Tavon said certain Turk, Sallagha,
came to him. and among other induce
ments. offered him $500 if he would
testify falsely. To this he said, "Win
you give me back my brothers," He was
exhorted to tell the truth and nothing but
the truth. to which be said: II would
rather be cut IN pieces and go to them
than tell lies. -
One morning when l was at Moosh)
the door of the little room which l oc-
cupied was opened and in came two per-
sons, women we supposed by their dress
was surprised at the early call. 1 con-
cluded some important errand had
brought them, and so it was One of the
persons was wounded man from the
Sassoun district in disguise He sought
IN opportunity to appear before the com
mission. That he would not he allowed
this we had seen abundant proof
The mans name is Avak. He was from
oemal village. He said there were 10 per-
sons in his fathers family. His father, a
brother and cousin were killed by bayo-
net wounds before his eyes. One brother
and he escaped, both. badly wounded. He
'aid the treacherous enemy gave word to
the villagers that "there is mercy tor
you," giving them to understan they
we're SAFE whereupon about 300, led by
their priest, Der Hohannes, presented them
selves before the officers, avowing that
they We're obedient, loyal subjects of the
Sultan.
The order was given to take out the
yes Of the priest, which the hcartless
soldiers did, they then tore away his
beard and skinned his face, pierced his
throat and forced him to drink a cup of
water which ran from the wounds in his
throat. right and left Death at last ended
his terrible physical suffcrings.
Immediately after this the soldiers were
given order to charge, and a dreadful
slaughter by bayonet followed Early in
this massacre Avak was severely wounded
and fell, others soon fell upon him, and
ne remained for time unconscious, be-
meath the bodies of the slain. Rousing
from his well-nigh death stupor in the
night, he extricated himself with much
difficulty by pushing away the corpses
above and around him. Slowly and pain
fully he made his way to some low bushes,
among which he hid for three days, eating
caves, roots and gum from the shrubs.
A cousin, Hachig by name, and also
from the Semal village, in passing saw
Avak and helped him to get to the shelter
of some great rocks not far away. Here in
pain and weakness he stayed three days,
his cousin bringing him little food by
stealth. Finding he could walk, he set
out alone and by slow stages was able to
reach the village of Shushanamerg, where
he had an uncle living. Hero his friends
wrapped him in the skin of freshly
slaughtered sheep. When able to be re-
moved he was taken to a shelter, where
hay and straw were kept in the outskirts
of the village.
After about a months stay there he
returned to Scmal, where surviving mem
bers of his fathers family Were, and had
begun to renew some of the houses which
the soldiers had torn down and burned a
short time go. The attempt to rebuild
was in obedience to the order of the COVER
nor to his subordinates. Avak was living
there with few others who had escaped
the massacre, when word reached them
that foreign consuls had arrived at Moosh
and wished to see persons who could
testify concerning the events at Sassoun.
He came to Pertag village and was kept
for about 10 days in hiding there.
The Turks, having heard that man
from Semal was there, tried to find him.
The villagers believed, and with good rea-
son, that they sought him with the in
int to hinder him from appearing before
the commission. He came to us disguised
in woman's dress, and we put him in an
inner room. He remained there until
dusk, whea we sent him away and he was
taken in charge by the Gregorians.
The English consul approved, and at
length the poor man was able to appear
before the commission. We saw the scars
of the bayonet wounds, 90 on his back and
nearly as many on his head. l shall
never forget that sight
saw also another refugee who said he
was from Semal. that his name was
A sdadoor, and that four of his family had
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