The blight of Asia : $b An account of the systematic extermination of Christian populations by Mohammedans and of the culpability of certain great powers; with the true story of the burning of SmyrnaHorton, George
History
The blight of Asia : $b An account of the systematic extermination of Christian populations by Mohammedans and of the culpability of certain great powers; with the true story of the burning of Smyrna
Horton, George
Christians -- Turkey; Fires -- Turkey -- İzmir; Greeks -- Turkey; Turkey; İzmir (Turkey) -- History
“I believe I was the first,” he said, “to find and recognize
the bodies of the De Jongs. I was passing along the street
after the Turkish cavalry had passed through and I saw two
bodies lying on the road. I stooped down and looked and
immediately exclaimed, ‘Why, that’s Mr. De Jong!’ Glancing at
the other, I saw that it was Mrs. De Jong. The bodies were
perforated with bullet holes. I notified the relatives and we
took them away and buried them.”
About this time, Sir Harry Lamb, the distinguished and able British
consul-general, came to me and asked if I could send two automobiles
to Bournabat to get Doctor Murphy and the women of his family. Besides
my own car, there were quite a number of autos at my disposal, as the
Americans of Smyrna owned many, practically all of which they had put at
the disposition of the Consulate and the Relief Organization.
Doctor Murphy was a retired army surgeon who had been in the British
Indian service. He was living with his two daughters on pension at
Bournabat, an aged man with a high record. Sir Harry related that Turks
had entered the Murphy home and told the doctor not to be frightened, as
they meant harm to no one. They had simply come to violate the women.
His daughters, fortunately, had hidden themselves in a room up-stairs,
but the eyes of the Turks fell upon a young and pretty servant. They
attempted to seize her, when she fell on her knees and threw her arms
about the legs of the aged doctor and begged him to save her. The old
hero tried to protect the girl in so far as his feeble strength would
allow, but he was beaten over the head with muskets, kicked, and the girl
torn from him by the Turks. They then proceeded to accomplish their foul
purpose. Sir Harry added that the doctor was in a desperate state and the
women nearly dying from fright. The automobiles were sent and the Murphys
brought down. The doctor died of his injuries.
The Archbishop Chrysostom came to the Consulate but a short time before
his death, together with the Armenian Archbishop. Chrysostom was dressed
in black. His face was pale. This is the last time that I saw this
venerable and eloquent man alive. He was a constant friend of Americans
and American institutions and used all his influence with the clergy
and the government in favor of the support of our schools, our Y. W. C.
A. and Y. M. C. A. It is doubtful if there is any member of our foreign
missionary, educational and philanthropic institutions who will dispute
this statement. He frequented them all and often addressed their members.
As he sat there in the consular office, the shadow of his approaching
death lay upon his features. Some who read these lines—some few,
perhaps—will understand what is meant. At least twice in my life I have
seen that shadow upon a human visage and have known that the person was
soon to die.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account