The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-08-22

- Ah.r Il IQlIlctu anu u NAT
~MN days Of captivity in
the mountains. says
the London Standard. They were we'll
treated by the brigands. although Tor
the first few days they had nothing 10
eat but the dry biscuits supplied 10
them by their captors. IL was only
when their whereabouts was ascertain
cd that provisions were sent up To them
BY their friends al KoOri baths.
From the statements made by the
brigands IL appears that they were on
the lookout for a party OF wealthy peo-
pie. consisting OF Armenians and the
wife of a Greek banker, who in reality
were 10 have gone TO Koori on the
same day, but who. for some reason or
other, had, at the last moment. adj
jOurned their departure from Constan-
tinople This shows that the brigands
were kept informed OF the movements
OF important people by their friends at
Constantinople.
The capture was effected between
Yalova and Koori. the brigands sud
denly appearing round one OF the num-
erous mounds which dot the country
between the coast and the watering
place OF KOorl. Firing q volley on the
horses OF the carriage containing the
ladies they disabled the animal and
brought the conveyance TO standstill.
The two mounted gendarmes accom-
panying the ladies. seeing that tney
were greatly outEumbercd, bolted in
the direction OF the baths
The ladies were thereupon marched
ia the direction of the mountains un-
ill the party reached small village,
where horses were obtained and two
of the prisoners mounted thereon. The
third, being too Ill to ride. was released
and proceeded 10 Koori. bringing with
her the conditions stipulated by the
brigands for the release OF their cap
tives and a spot was indicated where
the ransom of f25,O00 had to be de-
posted within a given time.
The journey was continued some
what farther inland, in the heart of The
mountains, where the party encampcd
and there awaited the news of the ar
rival of the money. The band number
ed fifteen, all armed from head to foot
some with rifles, others with repeat
ing rifles and all having knives and
yataghans.
During the capture the bandits were
very rough toward their prisoners. but
once in the mountains this attitude
changed into one of gentlemanly and
even gallant conduct. Thus a small
hut was erected from the branches of
trees, while ferns and leaves were col
lected. which served as beds fer the cap
tives, whose coverings were the heavy
coats of the brigands. Rain fell at in
ten ais In copious showers and. i'm spite
of all precautions. the ladies were
drenched TO the skin. Two OF the old
est OF the brigands were posted outside
the ladies' hut to mount guard and
wait upon them. while the rest of the
band withdrew to a respectful distance.
The leading brigands were Greeks
from Yanina, including the chief OF the
band. who wrote and smoke Greel,
fuently and. moreover, appeared TO bc
we'll educated. The men were VOL
and uniformly dressed and the chief
among other things, possessed an eX-
cellent field glass. which enabled him
to watch the movements of his intend
ed prey, as well as of the troops and
gendarmerie, who at one time were so
active as seriously to endanger the lives
of the captives.
Not only were troops hurried 10 the
scene of the abduction from Ism,dt
Panderma, Kara Musal and other dis
tricts. but the authorities armed tbe
peasants and sent them in pursuit of
the brigands. believing that they would
attract less attention than the soldiers
and gendarmes. The brigands. how
ever, soon protested against those
maneuvers and withdrew further into
the mountains. Hence partly the de-
lay in the release.
Another cause of the delay was tbo
non-arrival of the money for the ran
som, which, thanks to the energetic and
courageous intervention of the drapo-
man OF the French embassy. NJ. Rouot
who remained a night with the daIo,
gates sent by the brigands. was reduced
from f25,000 to 100000 One of ~.
brigands, certain Barba Nicola. was
subsequently captured by the gem
darmes in a shepherds hut. where no
had fallen asleep after a carouse. He
surrendered without struggle Tho
sum of ESQ was found upon him. The
rest OF the band are being actively pur-
sued but, owing to the difficult nature
OF the country. it is doubtful whether
they will be secured