The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-02-02


to the National Geographic society
from Ernest Lloyd Harris, IA part Of
which Is issued as the following bulle-
Tin:
"Chios, which Is separated from the
mainland Of Asia Minor by the strait
Of ChiOs, only four and a half miles
wide, has long been bone of con
tention between Turk and Greek, ana
during the earlier part of the nine
teenth century 1t was the scene of
some of the bloodiest tragedies known
to history.
"As early as 700 B. G. 1t was one Of
the richest and most important mem
bers of the Ionjan union. 1t has dis
puted with Smyrna the honor Of being
the birthplace Of Homer. When the
Ionian cities rebelled against the Per-
sian yoke Chios manned and equipped
100 ships and sent them to the bat
tie Of Lade. This stands for some
thing when we take into considera-
ton the fact that at that time-name-
ly, 494 b. C.-the population of the
island numbered only 10000 freemen
and lOOOOO slaves.
"Chios has been, I'm turn, Ionian, Per
sian, Athenian, Roman, italian, Tur-
kish, and finally, In 1913, after sep
aration of nearly $500 years, 1t was
united once more to the parent coun-
try, Greece AS one may well i'm
agine, a little island Of 31S square
miles which has changed masters so
many times necessarily must have
suffered much from the strife which
swept over it.
"Twice has this island been visited
by terrible earthquakes. The first was
only through the fostering care OF the
Emperor Tiberius that the people were
able to make a fresh start. The Sec
ond was I'm 1881, when the town or
Kastro was practically laid waste.
Mosques, churches and dwelling houses
disappeared into the bowels Of the
earth, engulfing no less than 5000 peo-
pie. This earthquake visited the whole
island, and many beautiful and his
toric monasteries, some OF which con
tanned priceless objects Of art, valuable
libraries and monuments Of antiquity.
were completely lost.
"But In spite Of all these vicissltudes
Chios has also seen many happy days.
Even in the old days Of the Ionan
union It was celebrated on account OF
its commerce and industries, especially
for its native wine and the manufac-
t,,rn Of ha1
the island was ruled as an insular
province and enjoyed several hundred
years Of almost unbroken peace and
prosperity.
"Chios' real troubles virtually began
with the Greek war OF independence.
pie, the island became involved in this
struggle and was visited by massacre
which appalled, humanity. In 1922 the
captain pasha appeared before Kastro
with a powerful fleet and landed an
army Of Moslems, who slaughtered I'm
the space Of two months no less than
10000 Chians, while $4,000 were sold
into slavery. The entire island was
given over to pillage, and scarcely a
village, church or convent was spared
the flames.
'"These acts of ferocity did not go un.
avenged. While the Moslems were raw
aging Chios the islanders OF Psara and
Hydra were planning an attempt on
the Turkish feet which was lying In
the outer harbor of Kastro, Just off the
Genoese citadel The authors Of this
bold strike were Constantine Canaris
and George Pepines. They arranged
two brigs as fire ships and manned
them with a chosen band Of desperate
men.
"The lights hanging at the masts OF
the Turkish ships were so dim that
the Chians were enabled completely to
surprise the unsuspecting crew at
midnight. The brig commanded by
Canaris Immediately grappled with the
captain pasha's flagship and set It on
fire. Pepine was equally successful.
and another battleship went up In
hames With shouts of Victory to the
Crossr the old time war cry Of Byzan
tium, the islanders escaped I'm launch
which they had In tow without the
loss OF single man. Practically the
whole Of the captain pasha's feet was
destroyed, and 1900 lives were lost.
There Is an old Greek monastery
about an hours ride from Kastro
which is grewsome monument of this
period. Its walls and alcoves are faced
with the skeletons Of the Chlans mas.
sacred In this neighborhood.
"One Of the chief products Of Chios is
gum mastic. an astringent which Is
grown In the southern part of the
island. II Is used rs a gum and also
distilled as a liquid which is used
throughout the Levant as an appetizer
Immediately before meals. II is an in
toxicaDt II used immoderately.
"One feature Of the scenery OF Chios
Is the picturesque old windmills which
crown the ridges and slopes along the
coast The wheels are of very large di-
mensions and are fitted with sails,
which supply the motive power for
grinding corn. Owing TO the possible
visitation Of earthquakes. the houses
are rarely more than two stories high