The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-08-02

The Portland Argus of July 2s'h has
the following In regard to two Portland
ladies 10 China supposed to have been
massacred:
1.-THE horror of the situation OF the for
eigners In China is coming home to
Portland. It cannot be denied that
yesterdays dispatches concerning the
fate OF the missionaries at Pao Ting Flu,
among whom were Miss Annie A.
Gould and Miss Mary S. Morrill, of this
city, look very black. According to the
dispatch received 10 London from
Shanghai all the missionaries at Pao
Ting have been murdered Another dis
patch from Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai confirms this news and adds
specifically the names of the Americans
killed: "Sincox family, Taylor, Pitkin,
Misses Gould, Morrill," Consul Good
now's dispatch is based on "an official
telegram received at Shanghai" but he
does not state where it comes from or
who sent it. Until the source of the
news Is ascertained and its authenticity
placed beyond question there remains a
hope, faint hope it is true, that this re-
port is as baseless as many others that
have emanated from Shanghai. Let US
not despair while the slightest possibility
of error remains. The missionaries at
Pao Ting Flu were reported TO be un-
harmed as late as July ), and other ad-
vices said that the Victroy had promised
to defend them If they would remain at
that place. We must wait for fuller de-
tails before we are compelled to conclude
that the viceroy has either failed TO keep
his promise or has been overpowered by
the Boxers. Meantime, the friends of
these heroic women have the heartfelt
sympathy Of the community. 1t keenly
realizes, and to q large extent shares, the
dreadful suspense into which they are
plunged and the still more poignant fear
that they may have TO face the worst.
So long as the slightest uncertainty re-
mains every one will fervently hope that
these loved and honored and devoted
Portland women and their compatriots
have been spared the unspeakable bitter
ness of such DEATH
The Portland Press of the same date
gives the following sketches of these
ladies:
miss Morrill, went to China as mis-
sionary in 1890. She is about 36 years
old and her father, brother and sister
live at Morrill's Corner. She was a
gradate of the Pennington Normal
school and became interested 10 the mis-
slonary work soon after her graduation
and was sent to China by the Woman's
Board. In 1897 she returned home to
remain q year on account of i'll health.
AT that time she was a visitor In many
cities of Maine, where she addressed
missionary meetings on her work in
China. She was also accorded on her
return joyful welcome by the Second
Parish church of which she was a MEM
Der. She remained in Portland until
August, 1898, when she returned to her
labors in China. Her letters have always
been hopeful and extremely interesting.
Miss Annie Gould is daughter of
Major John M. Gould of the National
Traders bonk. She Is a graduate of the
Portland high school and also of the Mt.
Holyoke college. She attended church
at the Seamen's Bethel, of which her
father has been deacon for rs years.
She went to China to join Miss Morrill,
in 1893 and has been teacher there 10
the mission schools, conducting board
ing school and many smaller schools
about that section. She has besides her
parents, two brothers, Mr.. Oliver G.
Gould and Mr.. Theodore Gould of North
Berwick. The last letter that was re-
ceived from Miss Gould was written
May 31st. At that time she realized
the danger all of them were in, but dis
played wonderful courage In the midst
of the troubles which were threatening
them and their converts of whom they
had great many