The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-08-28
FROM ONE OF OUR MISSIONARIES.
The Condition in Turkey Accurately De-
scribed.


scribed.
OwossO friends received last week Ions
etter from one of the U. S. missionaries IL
Turkey, from which we print this week the
following:
l wish briefly to describe tour l have
made to the village, from which the
people fed for refuge last winter, to Zetoon.
No foreigner has visited this region since
the outbreak of the rebellion in October,
1895.
left Marash June 18th ult., and went as
straight to Zetoon as the obstinate mule
/ rode, would take me. Finally l aban-
doned him and made the last few miles on
foot. l stayed in Zeitoon over Sunday.
June 81, found that the refugees had near
~ all gone back to their villages under gov
eminent protection. One result of their
departure was the practical wiping out of
the epidemic of typhus and dYsentery,
which DR.. Shepard, of Antab, and after
wards DR.. Harris, of Tripoli with three
Syrian assistants, had so nobly ,battled with.
There is some sickness, but not more,than
one would naturally expect in a town of
1000 inhabitants. We have an appropria-
zion of e41S month with liberal grant for
medicines, with which to employ doctor
in Zeitoon. but we have not, so far, found
asuitable man.
To the south of Zeitoon lies the Alabash
ssct Nj t inho hu bric
were the first to fire on the Turkish soldiers
and were severely punished. Their villages
are all in ruins, and they have no crops, as
they were unable to SOW in the fall.
Wished to visit them, but learned that they
were scattered in different places up in the
mountains, so did not make any attempt
in that direction. However, had a sufi-
cient quantity of wheat, purchased in
zeitoon, to supply them with food for some
time, and sent them word to come and get
il. In this way saw some of them. There
is no doubt that they are very destitute in
every respect. The fact that they sowed
very dark. They need food for the present
ald oxen and general farm implements to
ensure food for next year. If they had
animals they could rebuild their houses.
Some clothing ought to be given them.
This region Contains population of about
1000 souls.
Monday morning, June %, made prep
zrations to start from Zeitoon, getting off
about 10 o'clock. My party consisted, be-
sides myself, of Avoids Agha, trustworthy
man from Zeitoon, who knew both the
places and the people we were about to
visit; Garabed Khoja, whom took along as
preacher, doctor and secretary; our cook,
Partam; one Zabtieh, or mounted police
man. Mustafa, a very efficient fellow, and |
two muleteers, to say nothing of their mules, |
one Of which had the pleasure of riding, |
the other carrying Partam and my food and |
bedding. Besides, l had three loads of |
clothing, of which one was contributed by |
DR.. Harris, consisting of ~ outfits for little |
girls, and the remaining two by Mr.. Chris
tee, Of Aleppo. 1t was my intention to dis |
tribute this clothing to the villagers accord. |
ing as they were needed. I had in my
saddle bags, considerable sum of money,
also for general relief.
Our first stopping place was Mukhal, a
village very prettily situated on mountain
side. The village is in ruins. The houses
we're plundered and burned by the troops on
their way to Zeitoon. The people knew the
soldiers were coming and fled to Zsitoon,
where rs died, chiefly from sickness-S55
sze left. They are living in little booths
and black tents. We rested under beauti-
t6f large walnut tree, having before us !