The kidnapping of Miss Ellen M. Stone, an American missionary, and her companion, Mrs. Katarina Stephanova Tsilka, shocked the world in 1901. The two women were captured on September 3, 1901, and held for five months and twenty days. They were finally released on February 23, 1902. Miss Stone represented the American Board of Foreign Missions, and Mrs. Tsilka was the wife of Rev. Gregory Tsilka.
Their kidnapping drew international attention to the ongoing unrest in the Macedonian region, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. The kidnappers hoped that the incident would push the United States and European countries to intervene in the region’s problems. However, although the case caused great public interest, no major foreign powers took direct action A Harvard Graduate from a Humble Background.
An Attempt to Gain Global Attention
The main purpose of the kidnappers—who were Macedonian revolutionaries—was to make the world notice the chaos and lawlessness in Rumelia (a part of Macedonia under Ottoman control). At the time, the area was full of political instability, banditry, and violence. The revolutionaries believed that kidnapping well-known foreigners would force the global powers to get involved in Macedonia’s struggle for independence.
While their plan did not lead to political intervention, it succeeded in gaining public attention. Newspapers around the world reported on Miss Stone’s situation, and many people became aware of the dangers missionaries and other foreigners faced in the region.
Miss Stone A Respected Missionary in the Balkans
Miss Ellen M. Stone was widely known and respected throughout the Balkans. She had been working there as a missionary ever since Bulgaria became independent after the Russo-Turkish War ended in 1878. Her main base was in Salonika (now Thessaloniki, in modern Greece), a city rich in Christian history. It is the same place to which St. Paul wrote his letters to the Thessalonians in the Bible.
Miss Stone worked closely with Rev. John H. House from Painesville, Ohio, who was one of the first missionaries in the area. Together, they led the mission’s efforts in the region. Miss Stone focused on educational work, helping to open schools, train local teachers, and support students. She often traveled by horseback through remote villages to oversee this work Sofia Day Tours.
Her Words on the Dangers
Miss Stone herself spoke of the dangers she faced. In her own words, she said:
“During the frequent missionary tours which I have made in Macedonia during the last twenty years and more, I have often been conscious of danger from the brigands who have long infested that country. Thrice before my capture I had come into personal contact with them.”
This statement shows her bravery and dedication. Despite the risks, she continued her work to educate and uplift local communities.
The kidnapping of Miss Stone was not just a dramatic event—it was also a symbol of the complex political struggles in the Balkans at the beginning of the 20th century. Her story shows the courage of missionaries, the dangerous conditions in the region, and the desperate attempts of revolutionaries to make the world notice their fight for freedom.
