The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-24

troops to guard the exit from the
bridge. The officer replied, threa tening
the men with arrest and saying: we
know what we have to do
The plunderers now proceeded from
street to street, the troops and police
following them and cutting off access
to the devastated Jewish houses. They
subsequently visited the Jewish quarter
called America" then Konnay;i
square the upper end of Roumianzovs-
kaya street, the principal thorouglfare
of the town, and the district called
Caucasus
Altogether nearly 400 houses and shops
were wholly or partially wrecked. the
windows smashed. the blinds and frames
being splintered and every scrap OF rur-
niture and effects. even the samovars.
sewing machines. mirrors and lamps
destroyed or stolen. The Jews who did
not take refuge with compassionate
Christians or conceal themselves IN eel
lars were severely beaten and in many
cases dangerously wounded some
young Jews, exasperated by the action
of the police and troops, armed them
selves with any available weapons and
tried to force their way to the threaten
ed houses. One JeWess attempted to
shoot non-commissioned officer and 81
revolver shots were heard in the vicinity
of the bazaar, but@were apparently fired
i'll the air as no one was hurt.
The police then undertook to disarm
lected in the busiest part of RoumIan-
zovskaya street and stopped and beat
every passing Jew. This gang was en-
couraged by Assistant Police Captain
Charnolonsky and Rural Police Com
mander Ye1ensky. The gang dubbed
Berg Kevesh to death in the presence of
these officers. and after the victim had
been removed to the hospital the latter
continued an amicable conversation
with the murderers. none of whom was
arrested. The Jews rallied in force at
Konnaya square at o'clock in the
afternoon when the military fired on
them. killing three and wounding others
Presumably on the governors inStruc-
tons the military employed their fire.
arms against the Pogromshiks in the
Caucasus" killing three.
This action and nightfall put an end
to the programme.
Four hundred peasants arrived III
Gomel early the following day CTues-
day. but were easily driven away by the
military. A few houses were pillageo
that day and two more on Wednesday,
after which no disorders occurred until
September IS. when a fruit gardener
named Zvagelsky was barbarousfy
slaughtered by thieves. The other Jews
killed were Piatelsky. murdered by
peasants in the village of Veroulmo. five
miles distant. where he had taken
refuge with his wife, who has become
insane and in Gomel itself, Davidov,
Leiken and Elpern. dubbed to death by
the military or the mob: and Kagansky
and Oberman shot and bayonetted.
wounded and probably forty others left
the city without being registered.
During the week following the riots
all the trains leaving the city were
crowded with a thousand Jewish fami-
lies. The Christian dead numbered five.
of whom the troops shot three. Ten
Christians are recorded as wounded
The Jewish committee claims to be
able to identify 95 Pogromshiks but only
about 25 Christians have been arrested.
including one telegraph official. Over SO
Jews were arrested for carrying weapons
or conspiTing against the police.
The Associated Press correspondent
visited the devastated districts which
embrace about a third of the city. The
victims all told the same tale Of an al
authorities and complained that the lat
ter had not Investigated their losses
Two synagogues had their windows
smashed and the holy scrolls torn up.
A rich merchant had his safe rifled and
lost his piano, money and all movables.
The victims however, were mainly poor
| people. They accuse a large number Of
| military and civil officials including a
| judge and a priest of aiding and abet-
ting the plunderers by encouraging the
/ rioters or ordering the police and mill
! tary to club and bayonet the Jews. Or
| the other hand, scores of Christians
| many of them prominent citizens. did
! their best to protect and hide the Jew
! ish refugees.
Fears are expressed that the coming
market days. September q and 2S may
witness repetition of the pogrom. The
! present attitude of the military is dis
quoting Last night the soldiers play
I fully clicked their rifles at the Jewish
ladies and then laughed boisterously al
their fright.