The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-01
News From China of Murder Of
Mission Women and Chill
dren by Fanatics
BODIES BoRRIBLY MUTILATED
Mob Responsible for Outrage at
Christian Institution
Looting by the Mutinous Troops in
Pekins and Other Cities Causes
Heavy Damage.

San Francisco, March 1.-Bringina
first word OF the massacre of eight
persons connected with Christian mis-
sions by fanatical Chinese outlaws
last October. twenty-four mission
workers arrived today on the liner
China, from central China.
The victims were George Alstrand
aged thirteen; Mrs. Richard Beck
man; Zelma Beckman. aged twelve:
Ruth Beckman. aged eight; Hulda
Bergstrom, aged thirteen; Oscar Berg
strom, aged ten: Hilda Nelson, aged
sixteen; and George Vattne, teacher
in the mission school at Sian Flu
The story of the massacre was told
by Rev. Philip Nelson. father of Hilda
Nelson, of the Scandinavian mission
az Pin Chow.
In recounting the outrages of the
Chinese. Nelson dwelt on the remark
able escape of Richard Beckman, who.
after seeing his wife and daughter
dubbed to death. waded into a lake
with his three-year- old daughter in
his arms, and i'm the darkness escaped
There were forty persons associat-
ed with the Pin Chow mission at tbs
time Of the massacre" said Nelson.
I'VE had heard nothing but the vagu-
est rumor Of a revolution at Pin Chow,
and on October 10 we started for Sian
Flu To attend a meeting of the mis-
sions there. on October Il news of a
evolution reached Sian Flu and band
of marauders. responsible for the mas
sacre. started on their career of muir
Ger and pilage The mission was one
of the first places looted bysthe rob
bers. The gates of the mission were
stormed before daylight. The women
and children hid i'm the out buildings,
while Beckman with his little daugh-
ter sought refuge i'm the shrubbery.
The marauders kicked i'm the door of
the outbuidings and killed all those
who were hidden there. From the
conversation overheard, Beckman
learned that he and his baby daughter
We're the only ones who escaped. The
bodies of the slaughtered children and
teachers were horribly mutilated and
days, when they were hastily buried
by a company of soldiers. Later they
were inferred with full military honors
The missionaries were shut in at Sian
Flu six weeks before IT was considered
safe for them 10 travel.
Looters do Great Damage.
Peking. March 1.--Throughout the
day looting OF stores and residences
continued. There have been several
skirmishes between loyal troops and
the mutlneers Ten looters captured
i'm the act of carrying off property were
executed on the spot by loyal soldiers.
The fire which started last night has
mated at fifteen million dollars The
number of casualties among civilians
and soldiers Is not kno i but Is is be-
lieved the loss of life heavy. The
majority OF the mutneers have left
the central district of the city but
there are fears the disorders will be
renewed tonight,
More Troops Mutiny.
Tien Tsen, March 1.-The Chinese
trops ut Fong Tai. near Peking, mutt
MED this morning. There was much
heavy ilring i'm the native quarters and
il is believed the place has been loot
ed. Foreigners. composed of railway
employees ana their families, are gath.
cred 1T the British military post
where English soldiers are stationed
To guard the railroad.