Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-07-05
Mistellansous &saaina.
THE ROBIN HOOD OF TURKEY.

THE ROBIN HOOD OF TURKEY.
TehakirdiaIi Made Warfare on Gov.
ernment That Slew His Father.
News has lately reached this coun-
try that in Anatolia, not very far from
Smyrna, the Turkish government has
succeeded in capturing and putting to
death notorious brigand named
Tchakirdjali. The story Of the mans
life Is one Of those dramatic episodes
which brings to mind the legendary
lore of the famous Robin Hood. II
runs about as follows:
Years ago, in the reign Of Abdul
Hamid H., a brigand who had made
the government much trouble in the
Smyrna district was offered complete
amnesty II he would come to the gov
ernment office and surrender. He
accepted the offer and came with his
son, then a mere lad, to surrender
himself. On entering the door Of the
government building he was shot
without warning.
The boy turned and fed, vowing
eternal vengeance on the Turkish
government. In due time the lad
grew to manhood and gathered
around him band of lawless men
like minded with himself. This band
numbered at various times from two
to three dozen men. All Of them,
like Tchakirdjali, were crack shots
and all were armed with the newest
modern repeating rifles.
For many years this man and his
band held sway in the mountains and
valleys Of Western Anatolia, not far
from Smyrna. The object Of their Bit
ter animosity was mainly the Turkish
government itself, and in all conflicts
with soldiers sent to capture them
they showed no mercy. 1t Is not de-
MED that during the last 10 years at
least 800 victims, most Of them SOL
diers, have fallen to Tchakirdjali's
rifle.
To capture man Of this type who
knew every ravine and valley, every
crag and crevice in the mountain dis
trict, was no small task, and for many
years the Turkish government failed
in accomplishing its object.
In spite Of his bloodthirsty attitude
toward the governmental powers,
Tchakirdjali had most remarkable
side to his character. He was pro-
foundly religious from the Moham-
medan standpoint, as were also his
followers, and they never omitted to
observe the regulation prayer hour,
wherever they might be. Nor was
this man devoid of sympathy with the
poor, much as he hated the predatory
rich. At one time, riding along the
Meander valley, he met a peasant
driving in front Of him yoke Of OK
en-.
Where are you going, my friend p
said Tchakirdjali.
my master" was the reply, II am
going to town to sell my oxen"
What makes you sell your oxen
Are they not your means Of plowine
your farm?"
''but you see, my daughter Is to be
married, and I have no means to pro-
vide a dowry. This is great shame
and shall sell the oxen to provide q
dowry."
How much do you expect to get fol
your oxen?" asked the bandit.
II expect to get about 21 = liras'
(sS0).
1T is too bad" said Tchakirdjali
thus to sacrifice your means of liv-
ling. Here are 21 liras as dowry fol
lyour daughter; go home, my son, and
lkeep your oxen; but remember this
when the wedding procession is form
ed It must pass by this bridge where
we now are"
God be praised!" replied the fel-
low; ut shall be as you say"
When in due time the wedding pro-
cession was formed It came to the
bridge in question, and there was
Tchakirdjali on horseback. alone
Seeing the procession coming. he rode
Iup to the bride, who was on horse
back, and, taking a silver fligree
necklace, he fastened 1t around hel
neck, saying:
God be with you and give you
peace!"
At another time this same bandit
who feared neither man nor devil
rode into town in the Meander val.
Iley where lived three Turks who no.
ltoriously ground the faces OF the
poor. It was high noon, and the three
linen were in the mosque at prayers
Tchakirdjali went boldly into the
mosque, and, tapping each Of the three
men on the shoulder, said:
"I want to see you outside"
| All three came out, knowing per-
Ifectly we'll who this man was. 'He
then spoke to Number 1, saying, y
want of you six hundred liras. and
want them now" To Number ne
said, "Of you I want seven hundred
Iliras and I want them now" Te
Number 3 he said, II want twelve
hundred liras, and want them now
Number 8 at once began to make
some excuses, when the bandit DIRE"
his revolver and shot him. The othel
two, seeing that there was no effective
argument under such conditions, went
with TchakIrdjali and counted out the
gold. This very considerable sum III
then at once proceeded to distribute
among the poor of the vicinity, thus
drawing down on his head Thousand
heartfelt blessings. So popular was
this modern Robin Hood among the
peasantry that not one Of them would
willingly have betrayed him to the
government powers.
49, y - ~ -. S>.>1S1