The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-01-14
BRIGANDS OF TURKEY
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES KILLED BY
BULGARIAN ROBBERS.
dow italy Helped Uncle Sam Avenge tho
Death of Mr.. Cofhng-Two Cases OF
Particular Interest That Occurred
Forty Years Ago.


the abduction of Miss Ellen NJ Stone
by bulgarian brigands was in reality
prompted by the Turkish Government.
and that the arch conspirator was to
he found in the Yndiz Kiosk in Con
stantinople. That, however, is not at
all likely.
OF course the Sublime Porte hates
all missionaries. because. through their
schools particularly. they educate the
people too much. But it fears the Eu-
ropean powers too much to resort to
any openly violent acts, and contents
itself with petty persecution, which
can be construed as coming under the
laws of the country. such as they are.
Even in the great massacre of 1860.
In the Lebanon, which was practically
prompted by the Government. the mis-
sionaries We're left undisturbcd as far
as their lives and property went. There
have been numerous cases. neverthe-
less, where American missionaries
have been killed by robbers. and two
of them are Of particular interest.
They occurred nearly forty years ago.
and The first crime appeals especially
Just now because it was committed in
the region where Miss Stone was kid
mapped.
on July 5. 1862. Rev. William W.
Merriam, Il missionary OF the American
Board, stationed at Philipopolis. was
returning to that city from Constant
nople, where he had been to attend the
annual meeting of the mission. He was
in a wagon, there being no railroads
in those days, and was accompanied
10y his wife and family, and two or
three native attendants.
At noon of that day Mr.. Merriam
reached the town of Hermanh. where
he lunched. and then set out on his
journey. The country was infested
with brigands, but Mr. Merriam had Of
ten traversed 1t in safety and had no
fear, Notwithstanding the fact that
bands of robbers had been seen in
the vicinity.
The September issue Of the Mission
airy Herald of 1862 has n graphic ac
count of what followed. written by Mr.
Crane. Of Adrianoplc Mr. Crane says:
They were informed of danger. Sew
eral suspicious persons-armed horse
men-had just passed through the
place. The villagers. alarmed at the
sight of the horsemen, cndeavOred to
diSsuade MIR. Merriam from proceeding.
but as others were willing to start
they apprehended no danger. They
had gone but few miles when five
mounted brigands attacked them.
The Government guards ran on the
first appearance of the robbers. This
left them defenseless. except so far as
they might hope by their numbers or
any demonstration Of resistance to in
timidate the bandits One OF The rob-
bers. dismounting. seized the horses of
Mr.. Meriam's wagon, which was in the
van. Mr.. Merriam drew his revolver
and warned the man. who instantly
dropped the bride while the driver. an
energetic Mussulman. whipped up his
horses to escape. They sprang forward.
and Mr.. Merriam. thinking escape GER
tain, turned and remarked TO his wife.
Thank God, my pistol has saved us
The robbers, however soon com
menced firing in quick succession ut
the wagon. A BAH at length struck
one Of the horses and he reeled and
fell
The bricauds still firing, Mr. Mer-
lam, fearing for his wife and family.
got up and was in the act of alighHng
when he fell pierced by two balls in
his right side. One OF the two robbers
then sprang forward and stamped on
his face and head"
This brutal murder aroused great
connection. and the entire machinery
OF diplomatic influence was moved to
avenee ii. The Turkish Government
acted with what, for II. was prompt
ness and arrested q number Of men.
Although Mr.. Crane, i'm his report to
the Missionary Herald. mentions only
two robbers, yet three were sentenced
to death i'm October. 1862 Their
names were Balsam, Ramizan and
Khaloem, and their execution cXpiatcd
the death of Mr.. Merriam.
Tn March Of the same year Jackson
g Coding q missionary at Adaua. I'm
Asia Minor. was killed by robbers near
AlcNauGrcttg on March - Mr. COT
fling was iouneying from Adana to
Alcppo. when me was set upon by high
weNmcu fro The mountains above Alex
auiretta and shot i'm the side Two
days later he died iu AleNaudrctta.
where Dee was taken 10y his servants.
thn robbers having escaped
IS rather picturesque incident is con
nertad with this murder 10 Glanced
tHI. 90 The time there were one Amcri-
can and two Italian eunboats jan tine
lasuor of AloNandrctta The Amori-
Hn commander was intensely aroused
over .hc affair and sent % pcrcmu.ory