On September 3, 1901, several teachers, including Miss Ellen M. Stone, had just finished attending a summer training school for teachers in Bansko, Bulgaria. They set out on horseback to return to their homes. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Tsilka and Mr. Dimitsoff, Mrs. Tsilka’s father. Their goal was to travel westward toward Albania. Meanwhile, Miss Stone planned to head south toward the railway connecting Budapest and Salonika (now Thessaloniki, Greece).
The route led them over a rough mountain path that crossed the Perion range, part of the Balkan Mountains. As they traveled, some members of the group would leave at different points along the way. There were seven men in the group, but only one was armed. Most felt safe, not expecting any serious danger City Tours Sofia.
The Ambush in the Mountains
After about three hours of riding through rugged terrain between Bansko and Djumia, the group stopped to rest under the forest trees, enjoy lunch, and feed their animals. It was during this peaceful break that their journey took a frightening turn. They were suddenly ambushed by a group of armed men, whom Miss Stone described as brigands (bandits). Reports vary, but it is believed the group of attackers numbered between twelve and forty men.
A Frightening Appearance
In her own words, Miss Stone recalled the terrifying moment:
“They were of various ages—some bearded, fierce of face and wild of dress; some younger, but all athletic and heavily armed.”
The attackers wore a mix of clothing. Some had on homespun brown suits, others wore Turkish military uniforms with red or white fezzes, and a few had on unusual and mismatched outfits. One man’s face was completely covered with a red handkerchief, hiding his identity. Others had blackened faces and tied handkerchiefs with dangling knots that made them look even more intimidating.
Each man carried fresh-looking rifles, revolvers, and daggers, and had plenty of ammunition. It was clear that the group had carefully planned their attack to scare the travelers.
A Confusing Warning
During the robbery, Mr. Tsilka gave his watch and money to his wife, Mrs. Tsilka. She hid the money in her mouth and tried to tuck the watch under her belt, but it slipped and became visible. One of the brigands noticed and sarcastically told her she should hide it better Close Encounters with Danger.
This strange behavior deeply alarmed her. Miss Stone reflected on that moment:
“He could not have alarmed her more; if the brigands did not want our money and watches, what could be their purpose!”
This raised a troubling question: if robbery wasn’t the main goal, then why had they been captured?
The kidnapping of Miss Stone and her companions was not a simple act of robbery. It was part of a larger, more serious political strategy, likely tied to the Macedonian struggle for independence. The terrifying encounter in the mountains marked the beginning of a long and tense captivity that would draw international attention to the troubled region.
