Although Miss Stone tried to avoid revealing too much about her captors, she unintentionally gave away a few important details. For instance, she expressed relief that her kidnappers were not “black shirts” or regular criminals. Instead, she noticed that they had brand-new weapons and equipment. They also seemed well-connected, receiving regular and timely updates from friends in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.
Miss Stone spoke positively about her captors. She appreciated their politeness and kindness and even called them “entirely trustworthy” in letters to Dr. House and others. This suggests that the group was organized, disciplined, and not motivated purely by crime or profit Sofia Sightseeing Tour.
Educated and Polished Captors
Dr. House, Dr. Peet, and Mr. Gargiulo, who had several meetings with the captors during ransom negotiations, also noticed something unusual. They all agreed that the men were clearly not simple shepherds or farmers. Instead, they were educated individuals, and at least one of them—the leader—spoke some English and showed signs of refinement.
This level of education and communication ability made the Americans suspect that these men were not typical brigands, but part of something more organized.
The Missing Ransom Gift
Mr. Gargiulo pointed out a curious detail that further supports this idea. According to tradition, it is common for brigands to share a portion of the ransom with the person they release. For example, when an Englishman named Colonel Singe was kidnapped in 1880, each member of the group gave him gold coins worth £20 to £25 before letting him go No Official Demands Made on Turkey or Bulgaria.
This kind of gesture had been seen in other kidnapping cases as well. But in Miss Stone’s case, she received no such gift. Mr. Gargiulo believed this was an important clue—it suggested that the men were not regular brigands. They may not have even known about such customs. This supports the belief that her captors were members of the Macedonian Committee, not criminals looking for personal gain.
Why the Macedonian Committee May Be Responsible
If the Macedonian Committee was behind the kidnapping, their motives are understandable:
Lack of Funds: The Committee’s treasury was empty. They likely needed money to buy weapons and ammunition for their revolutionary activities.
Sending a Message: They may have wanted to scare American missionaries into supporting their fight for Macedonia’s freedom from Turkish rule. Although American missionaries have always sympathized with the Macedonian cause, they have avoided doing anything that could anger the Turkish government.
The evidence points to the idea that Miss Stone’s captors were not criminals, but revolutionaries acting on behalf of the Macedonian Committee. Their behavior, education, and motivations suggest a political purpose rather than a simple ransom demand. Miss Stone’s kind words about them, as well as the details she accidentally revealed, help confirm this theory.
