Arizona republican., 1902-05-04
MISS STONES CAPTURE.
How She and Mrs Tsilka Pared With
 the Brigands.

Miss Ellen NJ. Stone captured and ransOmcd missionary, told at Parsons theater last night the story of her cap- tiVity. Her audience did not occupy more than a third of the theater. She vas introduced by Rev. Dr. George M. Stone of the Asylum Avenue Baptist church, who said he rejoiced in having the same name as so noble and brave a woman as she who was to address the audience.
 Miss Stones lecture does not contrib ute great deal to the public knowl- edge of an affair which occupied so much attention a few months ago. But her story contains the personal ele- ment, and embodies her sensations, her doubts and uncertainties and her suf- ferings during the months while sine was held captive by the brigands. Her capture took place on September 5. For the first day she was uncertain what was to be the fate of herself and her companion, Mrs. Tsilka, but on the second day she was told that they would be held for ransom. Miss Stone told her captors that they had made great mistake for the American
 
 ransom for captured missionaries. as to do so would encourage the operations Of the brigands, and this fact was well understood by all missionaries when they entered upon the work. But by their direction she wrote letters to ner friends at Salonica and to the treasurer Of the American board at Constanti- nople. Being now in no fear of being l-i lo1 |. tI, absence of creature comforts the lack of news from friends and the draugiit upon their endurance and strength made by their manner of living that most concerned them. By night they travelled and by day they rested and slept. They had plenty of food, but 1t was coarse and prepared under great difficulties. They had for long time only the clothes in which they were captured. and there was no opportunity | to remove them. They simply laid down on rude beds of straw or brig ands' cloaks. with their clothes all on, and the brigands kept them always in sight. After a time they Were told to make out list of the things most nee essary for their comfort, and many of these were supplied.
 | l the roughness and rudeness of her captors. but on the other hand she re- ' lated many acts of helpfulness and i kindness and even of courtesy. She said the brigands told her they wanted 1 to keep their prisoners in good health, so they could be returned to their friends. when the ransom was paid, in as good condition as at their capture | "a nd blood curtiling tones to describe some of her discomforts of body and uneasi- ness of mind. but on the whole it lp- peared that there was a disposition tn treat the captives about as well as the means at the disposal of the brigands permitted. It remains, however. that this was far from the sort of life and sort of treatment that Miss Stone had been used to.
 Mrs. Tsilka was educated in America as was her husband. As the world Aas informed at the time, Mrs. Tsilka gave birth to a daughter during her cap tivity. Miss Stone went into much .le- tail concerning this event and the events preceding and following it. She spoke of special acts of kindness or the part of some of the brigands and a disposition on the part of all to pro- vide as well as possible for the young mother and the child In explanation of her being in position to be cap tured by the brigands, Miss Stone saiC it had been her duty and her custom tC travel about from ono village to an other in the pursuit of her missionary work. She had no reason to eXpac' such thing. It had never happened before. and at the time she was witt an unusually large party, the largest she thought. she had ever traveled witt i ill that country. She was captured or September 3 and the first word she re- ceived from the outside world. except the hints dropped by the brigandS re- Garding the negotiations for her ran som, came in an unsealed letter iron q Bulgarian woman, d friend of Miss Stones, brought to her by one of tht brigandS who had been absent iron the band for a few days. It brought much cheer and hope. and she ther knew that money was being raised fol the ransom and that in time she would be released. But the weeks and months | dragged along and at times she ant | Mrs. Tsilka were almost ready to de spair. They were finally released the latter part of February. ~<