Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-16
0 observe the Sabbath until sunset

lions to observe the Sabbath until sunset
on Saturday.
On this particular Friday evening about
1900 Jews had assembled In the largest
synagogue of the city and 1000 had assem-
b!ed in another large synagogue. SnortIy
before sunset a dangerous rabble collected
by the anti-Semitic agitators began to as
semble at several points outside the city
and at several places within the city. IN
order to march by converging routes
against the Ghetto, which is separate
quarter of the town. This rabble consisted
of peasants from the surrounding villages
and Of the scum of the urban population
which is always ready for riot and plum
der. 1t was divided into ten different
bands and numbered more than 1000 men.
The large synagogue was the hrst opJect
OF their attack First Of all the building
was surrounded in order to prevent the es-
cape of the wOrshipers. The leaders OF the
mob then hammered on the doors. which
are kept locked during divine service, and
demanded admttance. Their heavy blows
on the main door alarmed the congrega-
ton, and men and women alike abandoned
their devotions to gaze terror-stricken in
the direction from which the noise came.
Their suspense did not last long. FINDING
that the door would not be opened Voiun-
tarily the mob rammed 1t and broke into
the synagogue without much difficulty.
With a yell of triumph the rabble invaded
the synagogue and began to attack the
Jews.
Every man IN the mob was armed with a
club, while a number had come provided
with knouts and a few with revoivers. AS
the assailants poured in through the main
entrance the Jews sought to escape by four
other exits where they were met by the re-
mainder of the mob and driven back into
the building The invading force struck
their victims with their heavy sticks re-
gardless OF consequences.
Horrible scenes were witnessed during
this attack. A group Of Jew-baiters headed
for the altar and belabOred the chief rabbi
until he was beaten to a pulp Of unrecog-
nizable flesh and bones. The junior rabbis
who were assisting him to conduct divine
service were likewise beaten to death. In
the body Of the synagogue men and wo-
men alike were knocked down and tram
pied under foot by the Infatuated mob. A
venerable gray-haired Jew eighty years Of
age stood near pillar calmly awaiting his
fate. When a number Of assailants APP
preached him he appealed to them to stop
the bloodshed before they were burdened
with the guilt of too many innocent lives.
a terrific blow the head smashed Els
skull so that he fell dead on the spot.
Many similar scenes were enacted. Wo-
men threw themselves upon their assail-
ants chung desperately to the arms up
raised to chastise them, and besought
mercy from the mercilesS mob. In corners
little groups of Jews with their backs to
the wall were fighting with improvised
weapons in vain effort to beat off their
prosecutors. The floor of the synagogue
was strewn with dead and wounded. The
shrieks Of the injured and dying. mingled
with the triumphant shouts Of the Jew
baiters, created a deafening din.
Suddenly the lights went out. which pre-
vented the mob from continuing their work
Of destruction for fear of belaboring one
another instead of their victims. The word