Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1912 — HOW ROBBERS MET DEATH [ARTICLE]

HOW ROBBERS MET DEATH

End of Tehaklrdjali and His Companions Strictly According to Bandit Tradition. Tchakirdjali, the terror of the near east, the most notorious and bloodthirsty of modem brigands, is no more. He died as he all the glamour of sanguinary melodrama. Dwellers in Asia Minor can how draw an easier breath than they have been able to for years. Wealthy merchants of Smyrna, who trembled for their hoards, may sleep In peace. Travelers over the lonely roads in the neighbor* hood of the Anatolin mountains need not urge on their steeds so apprehensively—Tchakirdjali and his band lurk no more in their old strongholds. Thejr deeds will figure conspicuously in the tales that white-bearded Arabs tell night after night to circles of case auditors; Like the r Black Douglas, the name of Tchakirdjali will always quiet the fretful Turkish child In Its cradle. Some women will perhaps heave a sigh of sentiment for one who, ferocious outlaw that he was, treated them with extraordinary gallantry. They, at least, knew themselves to be safe from his hands. For them, Tchakirdjali Was not the brigand but the squire of dames, a man to be counted on to revenge their wrongs, as many a local Lothario bad reason to know. Nay, more than that. Frequently he was their good genius. Many a maid owes her dowry to TcbaMrdJSirs generosity with Ms illgotten gains. It is a pity that Edmond About is not alive ot do justice to Tchakirdj all’s memory. The author of “The King of the Mountains” would have understood him. His able pen could have immortalized him like no other. Tchakirdjali was Hagdi Stavroa to the life. Only the background was different. Both were “Kings,” and both had their “Mountains.” It was in the mountains of Anatolia (look up your geography) that the great Tchakirdjali met his end. It' was a heroic end. Nobody need say that romance doesn’t exist In our prosaic day. A detachment of Turkish soldiers was sent out against TchakirdjalL A desperate struggle ensued. It was four hundred well-equipped men against four. The Fra Diavalo saw what the end must be. Now, If it is . a matter of principle with Turkish brigands, they must not, if possible, be taken alive. \ , / . Tchakirdjali, when the last Shot was fired, on boon-Companion, Mehmed, to save him from tbkt diegrace. Fealty demanded obedience, and Mehmed was equal to the occasion. With his good Damascus blade he hewed off his leader's head. Then, having wrought the worthy deed, he did what wag only left him to do, he plucked a dagger from his belt and buripd it in Ms own heart. So the band of Tchakirdjali fell, weltering in their own blood.