Gilpin observer., 1916-01-27
TERROR IN SERBIA
Guerrilla Chief Metes Out Stern
Justice to EviIdoers.
Executed" Man Escapes and Is Now
Safe In America After Being
Stabbed and Thrown Into
vardar River.

Gievgeli, Serbia.-One of the most
picturesque figures of the European
war is the Serbian "komitadji' or
guerrilla Ivan Stoikovitch, known to
fame as "Babounsky." The name is
drawn from the famous Babouna Pass.
where recently the Serbs so long held
the invading Bulgarians at bay. Ivan
Stoikovitch comes from that part of
Serbia and is therefore known to his
followers and to the Serbian popula-
tion at large by nickname indicating
the fact.
A slight man, tall, with honest gray
blue eyes and the pale features of u
student. he impresses the stranger
with anything but the terror which his
name inspires. Nor do his looks belle
his real profession. For the redoubt.
! able "Babounsky" was schoolteach-
er until fred by an ardent patriotism
he gave up his classes to gather about
him band of intrepid spirits In the
fight for the release of the Turkish
part of Serbia from the Ottoman yoke.
Ever since the first Balkan war
he and his followers have been under
arms. Unrecognized by the laws of
war, they have taken their own risks
of capture and instant execution.
Their refuge is in the Serbian noun
tains, and they have been willing to
trust their security to their own as
tuteness and the impregnability of
their numerous hiding places.
Especially since the complete
breakdown of the Serbian administra-
ton. has "Babounsky" become a per-
sonage of prime Importance in Ser
bia. Before the advancing German
and Bulgarian armies town after town
was evacuated, only the Turks and the
| Bulgarians remaining While waiting
for the arrival of the armies of their
compatriots they were not averse to
| going through the deserted Serbian
dwellings and acquiring few useful
articles. "Babounsky" did not ap-
prove of this. Naturally the deserted
| dwellings, and all in them would fall
into the hands of the conquerors.
That was all right-the chance of war.
But that former neighbors should do
the looting was not in "Babounsky's"
code. And those who tried it were
dealt with in a most summary man.
ner
Whoever among the Bulgarians was
suspected of giving information to the
advancing Bulgar armies also received
short shrift. A story Is told of the
first Balkan war when a certain
pseudo-Serb known as "Kechko" was
suspected of treason to the Serbian
cause. 'Babounsky's" band appeared
upon the scene one night and
"Kechko" and four others were ar.
rested. tried in secret by the band at
midnight and sentenced to be sent
to Saloniki'-that is,. taken to the
banks of the Vardar river. stabbed
and thrown In, their bodies to drift
down with the current to Saloniki.
All five we're lined up on the bank.
"Babounsky" gave the signal for the
fatal blows to be struck. But unfor-
tunately "Kechko's" executioner, q
lawyer from Belgrade, had never
killed a man before and his hand
slipped. The five bodies were thrust
into the Vardar. but "Kechko" was
still alive.
A week later the Serbian consul at
Saloniki was called to the hospital.
"Kechko" told him the story of his
escape from death. but begged that it
be kept secret until after his depar-
ture for the United States. Ultimate
ly recovered from the unskillful stab
Of the Belgrade lawyer, "Kechko"
quietly departed for America.
Whenever the allied troops have
need of fresh meat or wood or mules
one of the officers acquaints Serbian
with what is required. The next day
20 sheep. two cords of wood. or
100 mules are brought into Negotin or
kaphadar, as the case may be. by a
Serbian peasant. The peasant col.
lects an equitable sum for the goods
delivered. and In time each Serbian
who has been involuntarily levied up.
on for lamb or wood or mules re.
ceives his payment. "Babounsky''
does not even keep q commission.