Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-02-06

people came In with white faces, saying
The day OF judgment has come In tbs
city, We hastened to the door and SURE
enough the mob was at work. All the
west and south part Of the city seemed to
be In an uproar. Crowds OF people rush.
ing In every direction, the roofs covered
with excited men, women and children,
the strange mingling OF cries OF fear, an
ger and defiance, with occasional pistol
and gun shots, made up an exhibition Of
the most fearful tumult and confusion.
Already troops were hurrying forward,
diers were stationed in front OF the Girls
seminary, with pickets out to cover the
approaches to the hospital and college.
Or. Shepard and Mr.. Sanders mounted
their horses and hastened to the hospital
and Girls seminary, where they remained
until the rioting ceased.
The college is about half mile west OF
the Girls seminary and the hospital and
commands full view OF these buildings
and OF the whole west end Of the city,
where most OF the rioting occurred. What
we, who were looking on from this point,
saw was the narrow streets densely crowd
ed with intensely excited people, now and
then rush made upon some house or
gate, and the rallying OF defenders on the
roofs, among whom women were often
foremost, using stones, clubs, and some
times guns and pistols, as best they could.
Sometimes the attack is beaten off and the
assailants withdraw to organize new as
sault; sometirnea gate or wall is broken
down and then the noise OF conflict sub.
sides and the work OF massacre and plum
der begins. Later on long lines OF people
are seen moving OF to their homes laden
with plumber, and later still flames and
smoke rise from burning houses. What
we heard was the INDISPENSABLE roar OF the
mob, pierced by the sharp reports OF pis-
tolls and guns with now and then shrieks
OF agony or fear and shouts OF defiance
and command, and above all and most
horrible of all, the loud shrill "Zullghatn
wedding cry)-very like the cry OF our
northern looms prolonged and sharpened
raised by Turkish women crowded on
their roofs and cheering on their men to
the attack. The massacre and pillage be-
gan IN the markets and in those parts OF
the city where Christian houses surround.
ed by Noslem neighbors offered easy
points OF attack. These places having
been looted, the mob moved on toward
what are known as the Christian quarters
OF the town. Here the resistance became
obstinate. In two OF these quarters, the
old street gates are still in use, by shut
ting which the district enclosed becomes
small fortified community capable OF
Offering strong resistance to an unor-
ganized mob. Here at last the assailants
were arrested and beaten of.
Under such general conditions the storm
OF mob violence ragged on without much
abatement till the middle OF the after
noon, when the tumult gradually subsidized
and night at last brought quiet except in
the vicinity OF burning houses, where the
uproar went on till neal midnight.
By morning military arrangements had
been made which gave US hone that order
would be maintained. The guard for our
mission premises had been increased and
soldiers posted at intervals around the
Christian quarters OF the city. Very early
on the morning OF the 18th, crowds OF vii.
layers we're seen hurrying towar the city
share the plumber OF another day OF riot.
The soldiers met and turned them back
and even beat some OF them and chased
them OF. They however soon returned in
increasing numbers and, being joined by
friends from the city, became very turbu.
lent. About noon we saw through our
glass an officer, apparently captain, ride
forward into the mob and address them
at some length. What he said we could
not hear, but Immediately, without any
show OF opposition from any one, the
whole crowd came pell-mell with the SOL
diers into the city. This was at the south
west corner OF the town and Immediately
under our eyes. At the same time much
the same thing was occurring at the north
west corner. Then for an hour chaos was
let loose again and the horrors OF the pre-
vious day were repeated, only this time
the Christians were prepared and, being
10 strong position, were generally able
to beat of their assaiants. At one point |
On the line OF defense were few Moslem |
houses and we were delighted to learn |
hat the men heartily and braveiy Joined |
10 the defense with their neighbors. The |
yallantry OF this act was somewhat |
narred, however, by the demand which |
hey made the next day for large sum Of |
money for this service. These men actu-
lily demanded and received about five
iollars apiece for this neighborly help.
When 1t became apparent that the mob
,ould not force their way into the places
having received new orders, resumed a
how OF activity, fred few shots into the
ir and drove the mob out OF the city and L
dispersed them. This ia the last serious
lighting that has occurred up to the pres
mt time, though local tumults have bro Il
zen out frequently and several houses
AVE been pillaged and burned and two
christians, at least, have been shot while
'eing conducted through the streets by L
oldiers. Strict military rule is now es-
ablished and special care Is taken to safe
uard the lives and property OF foreign
rs. We are kept under very close restric-
ions and not allowed to visit the city ex-
ept for certain objects and then under
trong guard. The amount OF damage we
an only estimate. AS nearly as we can
ldge the figures will be about 200 killed
some say 1,000) and 400 wounded, nearly
il the Christian shops and $50 houses pill
aged and considerable number OF them
urned. Some 600 men, who in the first
anic took refuge in Khans and Mosques,
re still held as prisoners, for purposes
hich we can only surmise
Dec. II, quiet has for the most part been
Maintained under strict military rule. No
hristian can yet venture out without an
rmed escort and there arR not wanting
gins that there is waiting and even ex-
ection OF another signal from above GOV
'nment seems to be trying to restore or
er and confidence. We are glad to say
lat we heard OF no cases of special vio-
nee or abuse offered to women.
The above named prisoners have been }
radually released till now there are only
,me six OF the principal Christians still
confinement. The number OF killed ,
lust now be set down at 400. The butch
y in the markets, where the attack first
sgan, far exceeded our belief. A great