Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-08-12
CREDULOUS CHINAMEN
Readily Accept False Stories Concern
ing Missionary Workers.
The Probable Cause of the Re-
cent Massacre.


BOSTON, Aug. 2.-Miss Clara M. C1sh-
man OF Dedham. for seven years a mis-
sionary. at Pekin, In IN interview with a
Standard reporter, asserts belief that
the latest massacres may be one OF the re-
suits OF the recent war between China and
Japan Ku-Cheng Is many hundred
miles from the central government at Pc
kim and IL IL probable that the people had
only rumors OF the trouble, and so got all
sorts of stories, some of which may have
started the trouble.
1.-THE uninformcd Chinese" Miss Cush-
man continued, "believe that the foreign
missionaries cut out the eyes and hearts
OF the natives To use as medicine They
are quick to accept any story they hear, so
that the foreigners there can never tell
when mob will come upon them"
Miss Cushman thus describes Ku-
Cheng: "Ku-Cheng Is quite distance
from Foo-Chow, up the Min river. 1t Is "a
walled city OF about 10000 inhabitants,
and has the reputation of being very
neat and clean city. Miss Hartford has
as an assistant Miss Wilmina III. Rouse of
Minnesota, who was probably not In the
massacre as her name Is not mentioned
1.-THE missionary society of the M. E
church has two other missionaries. at Ku-
Cheng, Rev. II. @. Wilcox, presiding elder
OF ku-Cheng district, and DIR. j. j. Greg
ory, In charge OF Wiley hospital The only
building owned by the Methodist Is a
chapel valued Mt $250O, in which the aver
age attendance at Sunday worship last
year was $50 Their homes, schools and
hospital are In hired houses, which fact
may have saved both buildings and in
mates from the fate Of the English mis-
siOnaries and their buildings"
Miss Hartfortvs self-sacrince.
Miss Cushman, being In a position to
speak OF Miss Hartford, who so narrowly
escaped death ut the hands of the Vege-
tarians, through personal acquaintance
says OF her: miss Hartford was sent to
Ku-Cheng In 1887 by the Women's Foreign
Missionary society of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. She was at that time q
very popular teacher in the public schools
of Dover, N. III. She has no father.
mother, brother or sister living, but is en-
tirely devoted to her work.
although the five-year term for which
she went has expired, she has steadily re-
fused to accept the vacation, with privi-
lege Of visiting America, saying that she
preferred to stay in China with the work
and finally die there. But because of ill
health and need Of rest she had almost
made up her mind to take the needed
vacation when the troubles came on.
Mrs. Alderman Of Hyde Park, the CORE
spending secretary OF the New England
branch Of the society, has written to her,
advising her to take this opportunity,
while the country is settling down again,
to come to America.
"Miss Hartford Is in charge of the Ku-
Cheng district of the Foo Chow womans
IVnrr Co. L..
conference showed in the Ku- Cheng dis
trict one boarding school, with an enroll
ment Of Al II day schools, with an en-
rollment of 200 scholars, and one Bible
training school, with an enrolment of 20.
Miss Althea M. Todd of this city is now
under appointment to join Miss Hartford
at Ku-Cheng, and was expected to leave
in about u month.
Troubles Anticipated.
"That trouble has long been brewing
seems proven by part of letter received
by Mrs. Alderman from Miss Hartford It
is dated ut Foo Chow, May g. and says: 1
was obliged to close the womcn's and
girls schools April 8, on account of fears
of local instructions. The English mis-
sion closed their schools two weeks earlier
but had hoped matters might clear up.
and so held on. At last l found could
not stand out alone any longer. Everyone
thought the schools ought to be closed, SO
yielded. Then was sick, so when Dr.
Gregory urged me to come to Foo Chow
and have q rest, came"
Miss Cushman thinks the criticisms
made Of United States Minister Denby are
unjust. as, during her residence In Pekin,
he had been very careful to protect the
missionaries rights; was on friendly terms
with them all, and they esteemed him
highly.