The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-15
WERE GIVEN LIBERTY TODAY
Both Women Are Now on
Way to Constantinople.
JOY AMONG AMERICANS
Freeing OF the women Was Looked
for Today, ~ IL Was Part OF the
Agreement on Paying Ransom.

CoNsTANTINOPLE. Feb. 15.-Miss 81
len N. Stone. the American missionary.
has been released in accordance with the
terms OF the agreement made with the
brigands when the ransom was paid over.
She Is said TO now be on her way 20 Con
stantinOpIe. together with Nine. TsiIEa-
The release OF the missionary has
caused great rejoicing among Americans
here, albeit it comes as no surprise a.
today was the date set BY the brigands
for freeing her. and it wes confidently ex-
Peeted they would keep their word.
story of the Capture
Miss Stone was abducted on September
g Of last year, by the Bulgarian briEands
while she was travelling between Banshe
and Diiumad in the mountainous country
lying between Turkey and Bulgaria.
There we're several missionaries in the
party. but the brigands set all free win
the exception Of Miss Stone aad Nnie-
TsiIka. the wife OF a preacher.
The death Of Nine. Tsnks hss been ire
quently reported and as frequently de-
MED since that time. About a month ago
it was reported that Miss stone had beea
killed, but several days later this report
was found to be false.
Ellen NJ Stone has been a missionary
since 1s7S. She is in the service OF the
American Board Of Foreign Missions. she
was born in Ro1bury. Mass. The bandits
singled her out. relying on the board 70
pay a good big ransom
When the reports OF Miss sI5ne's cap
ture reached here, the Ameri, an Board
at first decided not to pay any ransom,
holding that it would encourage brisapds
to capture other missionaries
President interested.
The matter was laid before President
Roosevelt and one OF his first acts after
assuming his ofHce was 70 take steps
looking toward the captives' release.
Strong pressure vas brought TO hear oa.
the Bulgarian and Turkish Governments. f
and Consul General Dickinson. at Coa-
stantinOPIe, was ordered 10 take all pos
sibIe steps
He went to Sofa and conducted nego-
tiations there.
Meanwhile Miss stone got Z letter
through to Consul DiekinsSz saying that
the brigands demanded a ransom OF sII0.-
000- The American Board stiu refused 20
pay it-that is. it did until October ?.
when word reached here that the urigaads
had fixed October s as the date when the
ransom must be paid or Miss stones life
would be forfeited
An Appeal for Funds
An appeal to Christian America FOR
contributions resulted in the collection OF
$4,000 in three days.
This was sent to the state Department
and cabled TO Mr. Dickinson Since that
time further contributions have beea
sent. so that the amount the Rev. Mr..
Peet. financial agent OF the American
Board at Constantinople. had when he
started TO get Miss Stone was approx
mateIy $4,000.
There had been a deal OF haggllng over
the amount Of the ransom. The bandits
wanted more and they sent out reports
Of the great suffering Miss Stone was
undergoing This was done. It is sup
posed TO excite sympathy.
The State Department today officially
confirmed the press dispatches that con
veyed the news Of the payment OF Miss
stones ransom 70 the brigands. and it
was stated, in addition, that Miss Stones
actual liberation would take place as soon
as the brigands got out OF the woods.