The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-11-15
Dere and Dhere
BY Mrs. Byrd Trego

In 1916 at Roxburg, Mass, little
baby girl was born that grew to
womanhood known as Ellen M.
Stone. Who recalls her now, after
few years have passed? She oc-
cupied an enviable position on the
editorial staff of the Boston Con-
gregationalist for several years and
then became q missionary at Same
Kov,S Bulgaria, later settling at
Salonika, Macedonia. What hap
pened?
In 1901 she was captured with
the wife of q native Albanian
preacher by Macedonian brigands,
and released after six months upon
the payment of ransom of $4,000
the most of which was raised by sub
scription in the United States. She
returned home in 1902 and soon
after wrote of her experiences in Nc
Clure's magazine. The story was
perhaps later published in book form.
The United States government was
appealed to for money to pay the
ransom, but claimed there was no
legal provision by which authority
was given to divert funds for such
a purpose, but If individuals would
contribute the amount Immediately
that Miss Stone would be given her
liberty, and congress would enact
provision by which the subscribers
would be reimbursed.
To this good day congress has
taken no action and the people who
willingly yielded to the request still
hold a promisory I. O. U. against
Uncle Sam.
The amount seemed almost pro-
hibitive at that time tho since we
have been dealing in present inn
mense sums for war purposes 1t
seems trivial indeed.
: Now l come to the message of this
writing in which I shall try to be
brief.
The leader of the band who abb
| bucted Miss Stone was ont Yani
Sandanski, prominently figuring in
| two political movements called the
Macedonia committee and Young
Turks. the time of the abduction
I believe there was only, the COM
mittee, organized and with what
seemed very worthy purpose, but
they were mostly young students
land students were rare) who had
no funds with which to promote their
cause. So Sandanski, who at that
time was what we will call brigand
convert to the cause, began exercis-
ing his shrewd ingenity which re-
suited in securing $65,000 from
America with which to buy amuni-
tion and arms for equipping the COM
mittee and Young Turks for warfare.
He was careful not to spend a cent
of it for other purposes.
Later on Sandanski became the
slayer of chief conspirator whom
King Ferdinand had sent down from
Bulgaria, one Sarafoff by name.
Gaining assurance and knowledge as
movements progressed, Sandanski
soon saw new visions of great
European war and later a confedera-
tion that would Danish war entirely
from the earth. He was impatient
people ready in a military way. He
didn't want Turkey driven from the
earth for ever and perhaps in his
eagerness caused action too soon.
AS everything seemed about ready
an attempt was made to assassinate
Sandanski at Salaniki the deed be-
ing perputiated by King Ferdinand
of Bulgaria. Later they buried diff
ferences and when hostilities broke
out the blood feud between Ferdin-
and and Sandanski was put aside
while Sandanski, the outlaw bandit,
the slayer of Sarafoff, the abductor
of Miss Stone, led thousands of his
Macedonia committee and Young
Turks to victory tho not a perman-
ent one.
| 1t will be recalled that the wife
of the native preacher who was taken
with Miss Stone became the mother
of little babe while in captivity.
When Sandanski was told Of the ex-
pected event and importuned to re-
store the people to their people for
this reason, he stoutly refused, but
promised the greatest care should be
taken of the mother. This promise
was made good, all their various
travels thru the mountain Businesses
and as the time approached quite
permanent quarters were established,
/. material was purchased for lay
cite that the two women occupied
|, themselves in making, while the
greatest care and privacy was &C.
corded them. Medicines and good
food were also provided, for these
rough lawless men had been taught
to guard faithfully expectant mother.
hoodelest curse should follow them
all the days of their lives. This be-
lief was in every way enhanced by
think the child was girl, Anyway
the daily admonitions Of Miss Stone
the bandits found something to oc
: cupy their time in learning to low
the little tad and finally, when thu
ransom was paid, bring all three o
them back safely to their people.
The present welfare Of Miss Ston'
! is not know to he writer, who woul'
also like to hear from the child.
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NARROWLY ESCAPED INJURIE'