The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-26
DetsiIs of the Massacre Of the Garri-
son and the Terrible Revenge of
the Turkish Troops.
MANY BUILDINGS BURNED
WOMEN OUTRAGED AND HELPLESS
PEOPLE SLAUGHTERED.
Inhabitants of Three Bulgarian VIII
lagos Reported to Have Been Mas
sacred by CT, cassians.

MONASTIR, European Turkey Aug. 25.-
The once beautiful city of Kruschevo is in
ruins. Women and children are homeless,
exposed to the weather and famine The
town is rendered uninhabitable by the odor
of corpses which are being gnawed by dogs
and pigs, the Turkish authorities refusing
to allow them to be removed under the pre-
text that an inquest will be held.
Kruschevo is situated on the summit of a
hill. eight hours distant and northwest of
Monastir. 1t contained 1900 houses and
10000 inhabitants, mostly Vlachs, calling
themselves Greeks. There were only 100
poor Bulgarian houses. The Vlachs are
prosperous merchants who travel abroad on
business, leaving their families in Krus-
chevo.
After making fortunes abroad by their
diligence and economy they return to spend
their wealth in Kruschevo where they own
fine houses, furniture and Jewels. The
Turkish inhabitants of the surrounding VIII
lagos have long envied the prosperity of
Kruschevo.
The Macedonian Committee, in concert
with Bulgarian bands, has been completing
arrangements during several months with a
view of occupying the town. In July last
the authorities of Kruschevo, observing the
threatening movement begged the Vail OF
Monastir to send reinforcements, as the
garrison Of thirty soldiers was insufficient
to cope with an insurgent attack. These
warnings were ignored.
On Aug. 2, the day fixed for the Bulgar-
ian attack on Kruschevo while four mar
riages were being celebrated In the Greek
church, number of Komitajis, by pre-ar-
rangement, remained hidden In the church
and were locked in by the sacristan on the
conclusion of the ceremonies. AT 10 O'CLOCK
at night they sounded an alarm by ringing
the church bells. simultaneously band of
800 insurgents headed by Petroff, entered
the town. discharging their rifles.
The terrified Inhabitants remained in
doors. The band first burned the residence
of the Mudir and massacred the garrison OF
Turkish soldiers and the officials of the
town. but the invaders spared the Turkish
harems.
On the following morning the Komitajs
established a provisional government and
instituted q new police and municipality.
They killed ten Christians who they be-
lieved had betrayed the plans OF the COM
compelled to contribute $4,000 to the revo-
lutionary fund. The Bulgarian villagers
in the neighborhood, hearing that Krus-
chevo was In the hands of the insurgents,
entered the town and demanded ammuni-
ton, which,, however, was unobtainab bic.
The provisional government constructed a
rampant 1nclOS1ng the town and the 1nnaD-
itants were ordered to melt down their
spoons to make bullets,
The Turks, informed of the capture of the
town, sent from Perlep three squadrons of
cavalry, which were attacked en- route and
compelled to retire, with loss Of one hun
dred killed On Aug. Is the Turks concen-
trated seven battalions and one battery on
Kruschevo. They made an offer to the
Komitajis to allow the women and children
to leave the town. This proposal was de-
clined and the bombardment began. The
Komitajis quickly abandoned the town and
escaped to the neighboring forest, where
pursuit was impossible.
The Turks entered the town, and, guided
by Turkish villagers from the neighborhood
attacked the houses of the Greek notables
and ordered the inmates to be searched and
stripped They seized the money and jewels
and ravished the women those who resisted
being killed. A Greek priest who sought to
protect his daughter was killed. The girl s
earrings were torn out, and her hand was
chopped off to secure bracelet.
When the houses had been pillaged the
Turkish peasants loaded their horses with
| whatever the soldiers left, and the resi-
dences were burned. The sack Of Kruschevo
lasted three days, during which time the
women and children remained without food
and shelter and at the mercy Of the soldiers
| and the bashi-bazouks.