Putnam patriot., 1922-07-21

aAtItaA NlfA tHA stAHa tataAAaaAN 7 AHte+At|Ea He soon returned. giving warnings 5f danger A few hours after the band its not being opposed by any one, entered the Roumanian village, and set fire to some of the best houses, killing and beating every Roumanian they encountered
 They soon approached Talabsc's house. shooting bullets through wina- ows, and with kerosene and other inc fiammable liquids threatened 10 set fire to the house Talabac's father ordered his wife to open the door and let them in. leaving his family to fate. As they entered they rushed to grab and steal any possibly valuable thing they could lay hands on. Then they forced Taiabac and his father to follow them, the younger son being unnotieed as he had concealed him self in one of the neighbor's houses. At the same time other groups enter ed houses and massacred Roumanian priest and his brother as well as other well known Roumanian elders and children and q young wife of cousin of Mir. Talabae As the Talabaes were forced to walk along with the bandits the elder Talabae realized the danger with which he and his son were confronted. Suddenly he dashed away. leaving his son to his fate and Gods protection. As he ran, a squad of over 20 men fired simultaneously at him. killing him instantly. That was about 300 feet from his son. The Greeks then proceeded with Leon alone to the place of massacre hitting him ire quently with their rifle butts.
 Escapes from Bandits
 Finally realizing how near he was to death. Leon seized his chance and dashed up an alleyway. As he ran, however, a group of about 10 or i2 Albanian girls ranging in age from i5 to 20 years. all knowing him well, heroically rushed to his aid. helping him to conceal himself in some neigh borhood house; others tried to hold the Greeks back Other people came to the rescue of these girls with the news that the Albanian army was within mile of the town.
 Before the dawn, the village was cleared of the bandits, most of them killed or made prisoners. but too late to help the innocent Roumanians.
 During the night everything was quiet. but none dared to 20 out, except q small organization of young Roumanians. who volunteered that afternoon to stand watch The follow ing morning Leon went to his home, only to witness the greatest grief. His father lay dead, with perhaps hun= dreds of bullets in his body, and with all their relatives around him. As Leon then stepped towards his father and kneeled before his body he thought of some of his fathers words. which translated into English. meant. Never worry, smile and be happier at hard times. Fear nothing, fear no- body but God" Leon then tried 10 comfort his mother and sister He ordered a photograph to be taken. This photograph appeared in many European papers later and brought great criticism to the Greek govern ment.
 In the summer of the same year the Greeks forced themselves once more into the city, this time with the in- tention of taking the city from the Albanians. and with no intentions against the Roumanians. They stay ed until three years ago when the French and Italian armies drove them away leaving the city to the Alhani- ans The Roumanians remembering what had happened to them only d short time before. mostly left the country, some coming to America. Leon however, being away at the time. could not go with the others but was left alone on the day the Greeks were to enter the city Once again he fell the victim of the Greeks, but not be- l ing recognized he escaped easily. He then met some friends with whom be went to live in the wilderness, among some of the highest mountains.
 He lived there until late in the fan of t914