New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-02
Mss STONES. COMPANION
SOMETHING ON THE MISSIONARY WORK
AND PERSONALITY OF MRS. TsILKA
WHO WAS STOLEN BY BRIGANDS

Mrs. Katherine Stephanov TsI<a who with
Miss Ellen NJ Stone, missionary of the American
Board Congregational. captured by brigands
in Turkey, September 3, is native of Albania.
During several years which she spent in this
try Mrs. Tsilka took partial medical course,
studied for two years at the Moody Bible School.
Mortified. and graduated a trained nurse
from the Presbyterian Hospital Training School.
Just before sailing for her home country last year
she married to Gregory NJ. Tsilka. one of he =
countrymen who had been her classmate in
the American Mission School at Salonica. Turkey.
and with whom she had disputed academic honors.
Since returning her country the couple have
been located Kortcha Albania, in Turkey,
where independent OF any board, they have been
engaged in active missionary work among their
people.
Nj Tska was graduated in 1900 from the Union
Theological Seminary Of this city and his class
mates headed by the Rev. Howard A NJ. Briggs.
president OF his class of 90 have endeaveored to
make themselves responsible for the financial sup
port of their work. At present the interest Is
centred the support of five Albanian girls in
the school for girls established at Kortcha by Mr..
and Mrs. Tsilka- This institution has forty stu
dents all that the resources permit 1t is the only
Christian school for girls IN Albania. Mrs. Tsilkas
efforts have been devoted. since her return 70
benehting her countrywomen physically as well
spiritually. It is her aim 70 establish work
among the women which shall lead them so to
understand the general laws OF health that bet
sanitary conditions prevail in their homes
and that the children may have better hygienic
In a letter to friend this city ~. long ago.
Mrs. Tsilka gave some insight into her work.
She said:
and have increased the number - money would
allow. We feel that little done unless the
girls are taken from the bad Influences OF their
homes and put under Christian influence and every
day example. II you know Of any
cause, let him or her support girl in the school
The expense for each. including board tuition and
ing to win their confidence and affection by
time, put We know we are needed here and we
shall stay and work. and trust God for the
who not in tune with God As I go 10 my
patients Mr.. Tsilka accompanies me- II IS not
safe for A woman 10 go alone The people are so
interested in my work OF nursing and healing that
they occupy nearly all Of my time and are begin
II is almost impossible the original fabric
How often I have thought OF the many cast Off
clothes IN America.
Congregational Church. OF Jersey City has charge
of fund for the support of the work of Mr.. and
Mrs. Tsilka
A letter received recently from H c. Haskell OF
Samokov. Bulgaria. by relative IN Kansas city.
Mo. throws some light on the capture 1t SAYS that
Miss Stone mad been, has already told.
holding her usual summer school for Bible workers
AT Bansko Macedonia. On September 8 with Mr.
and Mrs; Coshera, Miss stone started on a twelve
hours journey 70 the Collegiate Institute at
dispense to their different homes. AT 40 in the
afternoon, as they were resting in the mountains.
while the rest were foot, they surrounded
by thirty forty armed men, all dressed in Turk
party ordered at once to march, and was
driven up the steep mountain side by the brtgands
and demanded their money, which they sorted.
keeping the gold and returning the silver When