#36: The final exodus (1921)
During the three days allowed us to prepare for departure,
I was occupied to the limit in arranging to close up affairs
and leave my official responsibilities to my able understudy
and substitute, Mr. Compton. My wife superintended all our
household packing, sorting the few things that could be taken
with us, and piling the rest in one of the College recitation
rooms. She asked how long an absence she should plan in packing
and I said, "Plan that we will be back again before long". We
liked and sympathized with all the people, without ill-will
toward any, but as the event turned out we were never to return.
We had lived in Merzifon and labored in love and good will there
more than thirty years. The people were our friends and our home
was there.
On Tuesday morning, March 22, 1921, with the weather still ruled
by belated winter storms, two N. E. R. trucks and six small
spring wagons left our Anatolia College campus, under the escort
and control of mounted policemen, to cross mountain passes
nearly a mile high, wallow through deep snow drifts and watch
the wagons, loads, teams and drivers that along some roads we
must pass had slid and rolled over the brink into the valley
below.
The next day we reached Samsoun and the Sea, and it was good
to see Old Glory floating over an American destroyer in the
harbor, giving us a sense of real and needed protection for
the time, while we were kept under guarded surveillance and
really arrest. Then we were authorized to proceed by the
destroyer to Constantinople. I do not remember to have heard
a word of hate or fear or any vindictive expression from any
American or other Christian lips during all these trying
experiences. See photograph of our group.
Most of us made headquarters in Constantinople during the
summer, one and another drifting away as some other opening
for usefulness presented itself, while hopes of soon returning
to Merzifon faded. Miss Antony and Miss Corning, however, by
dint of much patient waiting and many persistent appeals,
received permission to return and share in their interrupted
service. In July came another sad period of bloodshed,
conflagration and spoilation in our old home town, headed
by Lame Osman, news being carefully suppressed for the time
being. About that time the four Greek teachers and two students
arrested and taken from our campus in March were executed.
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