Atlanta Georgian., 1914-03-01

The next pogrom took place in Kischinefr in
1903 We heard in Kiev, where l was living,
of the terrible times that the Jews had gone
through there but we were left alone for the
time being. Gradually, however, 1t spread, and
nearly two years afterward, in October, 1905,
Kiev became city of blood
1 well remember the day. 1t was October
1S. l remember it, because l had gone out IN
the morning and seen the walls of the city COW
cred with proclamations saying that the Duma
had been formed and that every one was to
have freedom from that day forth. 1 was so
happy to think that this was an end to all the
miseries of my race, that almost danced home
to tell the news. | had not the right to live
in Kiev except by bribing the police, and l
thought that this meant that l should be given
the right Of domicile.
Alas! | had not gone very far when coach
man l knew passed me coming from the city.
He said to me:
"Mende you had best go home and stay in
doors. Jews are at this moment being killed
in the streets"
l shook with fear, but I started to run to
give the warning. When l reached home l
found that already number of the BLACK
Hundred, in gangs, had invaded our district
and were numbering every Jew they met We
rushed to our homes and locked and barri-
caded the doors.
Next day mob of about 5OO accompanied
by many policemen, came to my house. The
leader of them shouted to mel indoors
Bells, tell us what Jews in your house.
and hand them over to us at once. We want
to kill them, but won't harm you If you do as
you are told"
He had scarcely said this when some others
began to break into my house and smash the
DOORS The crash Of falling glass and the
cries Of my wife were heard above the din.
and one of the crowd, a Christian whom 1
knew slighthly, smacked the leader in the face
and shouted
Don't you know who this poor workman,
Mendel Bells is? He is just such worker
as you and /, and you ought to be ashamed
NJ a1tfp- tolyO tb,1 live. .
family who have worked hard and have done
much good to US Christians"
When they heard this they became ashamed
OF themselves and went away. We were saved.
few days afterward Doctor Sergiew, who
is one of the best doctors in Kiev, met me. He
told me that when he had cursed the assassins
for killing Jews their reply
I'VE have killed only the rich Jews. Look
at Mendel Bells; did not kill him"
This shows the Christians used to like me,
and that l was popular among them. Our
relations were always very nice.
Two hours after the mob had disappeared
from our home, another came along win
sticks and knives, to do their holy work" Just
before they arrived l met Christian friend
of mine who said to
This mob does not know you at all. Your
last moment has arrived Make the best of
it, and run for your life if you want to escape"
Beaten by the Mob.
refused to leave my wife and children. l
was some uttle way from nome, Dut L InouSHL
there would be time to get back and try and
hide them. But at this moment the mob
caught me up and surrounded me. One gave
me an awful blow in the face and knocked me
down. The rest rifed my pockets and stole
everything had. They snatched up my money
and watch and did not even leave me my
pockethandkerchief When they had taken
everything they took hold of me- still hitting
me over the head with their sticks, and were
just going to draw me to my home, when one
of them who knew me- seized a revolver and
cried to the man who was nearly killing me-
stop, you dogs; you ruffians! Do you know
that you have robbed our Mendel Bells? Don't
you know that he is our friend? l swear that
stolen from him your life is not worth single
If you don't give him back what you have
kopeck. l will give you on this spot, you dog!
You thief! You murderer"
The mob, listening to this speech from
Christian, did not dare to go on with their
DEVILS work, and they left me alone, and did
not go my house. Thus my life was
saved again owing TO the interference of
Christian, and l escaped the dreadful fate
which seemed to await me.