Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-05-17
AWFUL ACT IN CHINA!
STORY CT MERclLEss sLAuGH.-
TER OF MISSIONARIES.

TER OF MISSIONARIES.
Victims Remain Calm and Preach to
the People Till Esccutioner Strikes
Thi-iy-three Protestnn.s and Twelve
Roman Catholics Are Bchcuhed.
A late mail from China brings Il thrii--
ling account of the murder of the mis-
sionaries at Tai Yuan Flu on the 9th OF
last July, which was taken down IN Writ
ing by DIR. j. \. Greasy Smith from the
narrative of yung Cheng, Il member OF
the Baptist church, who was an unwill-
ing witness of their martyrdcnl. Iungs
Cheng is vouched for as Il Christian OF
excellent character and absolutely trust
worthy. He says thar he was taking
treatment in the hospital on The BaptistE
Society's premises at Tai Yuan Flu. wheni
on the Sth of July he saw Rev. Mr..
Pigott, his wife and child, John Robin-
son, Miss DIVA and two young women
named Atwater brought into the town.
The two gentlemen were handcuffed and
escorted by a company of soldiers ana
followed by immense throngs of natives
Wherever they stopped to rest MIR. Pigott.
and Mr.. Robinson preached to the peo-
pie, who gathered around them and We're
very much astonished, saying: You are
going to be killed for preaching, and yet
you continue to do So" That night the
party We're placed in prison with Il num-
her of other missionaries and their wives
and children, including several Catholic
priests. The next morning they We're all
executed.
1.-The first to be led forth Yung Cheng
says, was Mr.. Farthing, Il Baptist MIN
lister. His wife chung to him. but he put.
her aside gently, knelt down without say
ing a word and his head vas struck off
by one blow of the eNecutioner's knife.
He was quickly followed by Pastors.
Hoddle and Beynon, and Drs. Levitt and
Wilson, all of whom were beheaded with
one blow by the eNecutioner. Then the
governor, Yu Hsien, grew impatient and
told his %bodyguard, all OF whom carried.
big beheading knives with long handles,
to help kill the others. Pastors Stokes.
Simpson and Whitehouse We're next kill
ed, the last by one blow only, the other
two by several.
when the men were finished the
ladies were taken. Mrs. Farthing had
hold of the hands of her children. who,
SiuiS U Acl, pul III SOiultIS lIul tl1GiA
and with one blow beheaded their
mother. The executioner beheaded all
the children and did it skillfully, need
ing only one blow; but the soldiers were,
clumsy, and some of the ladies suffered
several cuts before death.
Mrs. Levitt was wearing her spec
tacles and held the hand OF her little
boy, even when she was killed. She,
spoke to the people. saying as near as L
remember: We all came to China to.
bring YOU the good news of salvation by
Jesus Christ; we have done YOU no harm.
only good; why do you treat us soy a
soldier took off her spectacles before be-
heading her, which needed two blows.
when the Protestants We're all killed.
the Roman Catholics We're led onward.
Tho bishop, an old man. With long white
beard. asked the governor. lu lIsien.
why he was doing this wicked deed. /
did not hear the governor give him any
answer, but he drew his sword and cut
the bishop across the face one heavy
stroke; blood poured down his white,
beard, and he was bcheadeG. The priests
and ms quickly followed him in death.
''Thcn Pastor Pigott and his party
We're led from the district Jail. which is,
close by. He was still handcuifed and SO
was MIR. Robinson. lie preached to the.
people till the very last, when he was
bcheaded with one blow. Sir. Robinson
suffered death Very calmly. Mrs. Pigott.
held tdle hand of her son, even when she
was b%eheadcd, and he WAS killed imme-
diately after her. The lady and two girls
We're killed also, quickly.
ION that day forty-five foreign people
in all We're beheaded. thirty-three Pro-
testants and twelve Roman Catholics,
The bodies of all were left where they
fell till next morning. as it was evening
before the work was finished. During the,
night they were stripped of the clothing
and other things, such rs rings and
watches. Next day they We're removed
to Il place inside the great south gaze,
except some of the heads. which were
placed in cages on the gates OF the WALL
ON TRAIL OF WIFE DEsERTERs.
Minnesota Authorities Would Secure
Requisitions for Them.