Evening star., 1896-02-20
RECENT TURKISH OUTRAGES
Promised Reforms of the Sultan Are Slow
to Operate.
Plunderfng Of the Village of Shcpik
Near HarpOOt RObbing
the Residents.

BOSTON, Mass, February a0-The fol-
lowing is a translated abstract of a letter
lee eived from Shepk, village near Har-
poot, eastern Turkey, giving details of a
recent pillage by the Turks:
The plundering company was led by Saru
Chcheglee kourd Oghloo who, with 4o0
armed followers, fired upon the village un-
iii neon. When some of the leading men OF
the village asked what was their intention
in plundering us, one hundred Turkish
pounds We're demanded and paid as ram
som. But they would not go; they said:
You must give us your watches as we'll
We gave them up, but still they would not
60 You must give US your weapons also
We gave these.
and cattle They took them and were still
uDsatsfied. We are going TO hunt through
your homes, and take whatever pleases u.s.
This they did, and went Off with all The
valuable things. At night We thought The
danger had passed; but in vain.
The next morning the Turks from sur
rounding villas attacked us, piundering
the houses for eight days, burning as they
emptied them Only ten or twelve of the
poorer houses Were not buried. but the
doors and windows We're carried off. After
ward they robbed the women and children
OF their shoes and clothing. On the eighth
day they killed Brother Paghdo's and
Pastor Melcon because they would lot
change their religion. That night they
Sciect"u lOTty-lNe OF the young men say
ing that the gov ternment wished them.
The young men asked an hours grace, dur
ing which they prayed and sang, kissed the
hands of their parents and parted amid
tears, knowing that they would never see
each other again. The captiyes We're taken
TO desolate place and two by two threat
eneG with death If they would not change
their religion. They all with one voice
agreed in saying boldly, We will not deny
our religion. Five succeeded in escaping,
but forty became martyrs for the love of
Jesus. One son escaped with four others
youngest son, twenty-five years old, was
killed.
How heartrending was the sight A
week before we were in our homes, COM
Portable; but, like Job, we were deprived Of
everything, dwelling house. furniture, beds,
food, clothing. With heads uncovered, feet
bare, little clothing upon US, We PASSED
from rock to rock, with great wailng and
lamentation, to find our children.
After wandering about for several days
and remaining hungry, we went to Arabah
for help, but in vain. When the first at
tack was made seven young men went to
the city to inform the government. They
We're imprisoned and unable to return TO
us. A few days later one of them tried TO
get away, but he was killed. Twice the sov-
ernment sent us grain for bread, but it was
only enough to make two ard half loaves
for each person, and this was to last us ten
or twelve days. The wheat was burned and
mice had been in it, so that il was too bit
ter to eat. All that we have is common
property. We have returred to village
and are crowded into the ten remaining
houses. We have no money-no beds. We
sleep the dry boughs of trees. Many OF
our number became sick, and ten have died
from cold, exposure and hunger. In this
state need your pity. May God pity all
the poor sufferers in this desolated region"