The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-14
FLED FROM
The BOXERS
THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF
MISSIONARY DREYER.
+. C. H. Dreyer and Wife Have Re-
turned to This City After Six
Years Mission Work in China.
Were Stationed in Central Pro-
vince and Left the Mission Just in
Time to Avoid the Storm-Miss
Rose Palmer of North Scranton
Accompanied Them.


Rev. and Mrs. T.. G.. IT, Dreyer, form
erly Of this city, who for the last six
years have done missionary work in
the very heart of China, are the guests
of Mr.. Dreyer's parents. at the latter's
home, l22 East Pine street, Dunmore.
They arrived in this city Monday night,
safe and sound and full of thanks that
they had escaped unharmed from the
terrible carnage of the Boxer uprising.
Many adventures, the very recount
ing of which Is sufficient to send cold
thrills coursing down ones back. were
encountered by them. and not least
among these was their departure from
the province of Shan 81, with its forty.
FIVE days journey to Hong Kong. dur
ing almost every day OF which bands
of yellow robbers accosted them and
with threats and blows forced them 10
part with their possessions,
1t was six years ago when Mr.. Dreyer
left this city, entering the missionary
field, at the suggestion of Rev. ID. M.
Stearns. then pastor of Grace Reformed
Episcopal church. His work was con-
Quoted in connection with the China
luldilu nllSSloll. DullllS All ulS StlNl ltt
H. the Orient he was located in the
province of Shan ST, at Ping Yang.
The mission was u flourishing one,
there being about one hundred and
twenty native converts at Ping Yang
ana about two thousand in the entire
province.
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
The trouble in this territory began
with the transfer to it Of Yuhsien the
anti-foragncr governor of Shan Tong.
The bitter -with-the- foreign dew
ills" attitude assumed from the first
by the governor could not fail to have
It's disastrous results. and about u
week after he assumed office. a num-
her of the homes of prominent native
Christians We're plundered, and when
| ever white face was seen on the
streets it was the signal for violent
language and frequently assaults from
vicious looking Boxers, armed to the
teeth.
Things at last arrived at such pass
| that the officials of the district advised
| the missionaries to make their escape
| while there was yet a possibility. Az
| ter considerable delay an escort was
| granted the small band. which con-
sisted of Mr.. Dreyer, Mr.. I.utley. ten
ladies, two children and four native
converts. Among the ladies in the
party was Miss Rose Palmer, of Green
| Ridge. who had been doing missionary
work in the northern part of the prov
irce. but who came down to join the
party leaving for a port TO harbor the
| storm.
on June IL they left Ping Yang for
| Hong Il FOng, southern city and treaty
point, where they were sure of pro-
lection. Only a few days after their
| departure there came to them the
news. as they slowly proceeded on their
soriowfu journey. that the Boxers
had burned down the chapel and hos
ptal, ard already twenty of the native
| converts. good peaceful men, had suf-
tcred cruel deaths as tho result of their
fealty TO the faith they had adopted.
SLEW THE MINISTER.
| Rev. DR.. Miller Wilson. a dear friend
of Mr. Dreyer's. who had charge OF
the mission at Tai Nuen Flu, the cap
ital of the province, was at his post
when the Boxers attacked the mission
Mad with Il Dervish-like fanaticism
the attacking party slew the minister
and looting his house, also murdered
his wife and little one. Meanwhile the
refugees en- route to Hon kon were
passing each day in suspense and ac.
tual danger. The escort of thirteer
soldiers grossly eXtorted money fol
every service and in time Of peri
proved of no assistance whatsoever.
On the second day of their journey
q. body OF fifteen men made a fierc,
onslaught on the four carts ir
| which the party were journeying
| Brandishing long, razor edged sword.
| tney rushed on the helpless men ant
women, shouting dire threats while th'
escort stood calmly by and smiled tn,
| CompllCent, urbane smil" of tho Celcs
tidl.
Mr.. Lutley ana Miss French wer
dragged from the carts in which the,
We're seated ana surrounded by Boxers
who. placing their blades against In
necks of their victims, demanded sill
Yer. The boxes on the carts wer
pointed out to them and We're sys
tematcally and completely looted b,
the robbers, who made an eXccllen
haul, securing about five hundre,
ounces of silver Unexpected financia
aid was secured few days later, how
ever, and the journey resumed. Sick
ness played havoc in the little com
pany, and the children soon succumbet
| to disease.
TORTURED AND MURDERED,
All along the route came tales o
Christian converts being tortured an,