One day 48 people were seized in the yard of the French Mission. Mar Dinkha, bishop of the Old Church, was one of them. As they were keeping him in prison some days, I tried to buy off Mar Dinkha with the promise of 50 gold pieces, but they asked 100. I was outwitted at that time, for as often as I raised my offer they would advance the price. Then they carried them outside, where they were bound arm to arm and were all shot. Once they went to the village of Gulpashan and demanded a sum of money; they took money and carried off everthing else as well; 45 men who were on the watch were killed that night.

-- Rev. Y. M. Nisan