The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-03-13 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF MLADETSKI,

On Friday morning, at eleven o'clock, Mladetski
was publicly hanged on the Simeon Place, close to the
Tsarskoe Selo railway terminus, Great crowds flocked
to the place of execution from all parts of the town,
and by the appointed time there were gathered some
40,000 spectators on the large plain, in the centre of
which stood the rough gibbet, immediately surrounded
by about a battalion and a half of infantry drawn
from various regiments of the Guard, The prisoner
was brought from the fortress on a black cart, sur-
rounded by a sotnia of Cossacks with lances couched.
He was dreseed in black prison clothes, and tied to a
high seat, with his back to the horses and a large card
on his breast bearing the words" State.nriminal." He
seemed perfectly indifferent, and even appeared to
smile at times as he looked round on the crowd from
the scaffold daring the reading of the sentence.
The prisoner was tied to the post whilst the act of
condemnation was being read. He was then brought
forward to the spot where the priest was standing, and
after some exhortation he consented to kiss the cross,
whereupon the priest made the sign of the cross upon
his breast.
The executioner, who was assisted by three convicts,
placed a white sack over the culprit's head and
shoulders, adjusted the noose, and assisted him to
mount an empty packing-case. -
At twenty minutes past eleven this case was pushed
from under the condemned man, who struggled con-
vulsively for three or four minutes before he died.
The body remained hanging about twenty minutes.
Just as it was being taken down, the police arrested
seven men in the crowd having the appearance of
students. They were taken off to the fortress under
strong escorts of police and cavalry.

Writing from S. Petersburg on Saturday, the Corre-
spondent of the Daily Telegraph says :

"We are still occupied with the attempt on General
Loris Melikoff's life. The entire city speaks of the
affair in whispers. A truly strange state of things is
presented here: illuminations, flags, police, loyal
Inscriptions, guards, revolutionary proclamations,
hands, discontent, dread —nobody feeling safe. On
Tuesday there were bands of music in every large streat
playing patriotic airs; Wednesday night all the im-
portant buildings were blazing with electric light, the
streets were thronged with people silently parading
them, guards posted everywhere, Cossacks patrolling,
the police warning off people from the Palaces; porters
on guard in every doorway. This is St. Petersburg
rejoicing—actually en fête; such is the way in which
the happy event has been celebrated. Every one is
asking how all this will end; the malcontents are
Issuing fresh declarations, and even showing increasing
signs of vigour and strength. Tile uncertainty is ex-
tremely painful. There are all kinds of wild tumours
of discoveries of arms, resulting from the domiciliary
visits made by the police, and the consequent arrests.
In my opinion, these very efforts to snopress, augment
the evil by making it believed) that great events are
imminent, and thus fostering rebellion."

In another letter, the Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph
writes :
" Built under great difficulties, St.
.Petersburg
always presents to the stranger a peculiarly bright
and cheerful appearance. Too smaller streets and
lanes not being traversed, its palaces and broader
avenues convey an impression of luxury and wealth
which but few other cities present. Well laid•out
and admirably built, it boasts the finest streets in the
world—that of the Newski Prospect, an avenue
of such grandeur that words can scarcely express
its beauty, It is not only broad but straight,
alike bright and businesslike, always filled with
picturesque crowds, and crammed with rapidly-
moving vehicles. Palaces are frequent; its sidewalks
are wide; the great Kasen Cathedral, with its semi-
circular portico—a strange imitation of St. Peter's of
Rome—and the great bazaar of the Gostinnoi Dvor
are at its centre, and at the end the imposing spire and
structure of the Admiralty. It has no equal in point
ef either wealth or beauty, and, were it less troubled
by political disturbances, might easily become one of the
great attractions of Europe; for its restaurants and
hotels, in happier t;mes, are exceptionally good ; in
the Bazaar are strange treasures from every
land; while the Neva runs at its feet, and the bright,
clear air of the North fills it with breikness and plea-
sure, As I entered it every building gleamed with
illumination, and from every street corner music was
heard. Onward flew sleigh and droscky, tramway car
and carriage, all apparently mixed in a huge inextri-
cable mass, yet each moving at a pace which I have
only seen equalled in Indian residencies when the sun
is going down and the population has turned out
for its evening drive. On the pathways moved
rapidly vast numbers of people, never loitering a
moment, for the eye of police by hundreds was upon
them, talking but little, regarding only the illurnina-
dons and listening to the bands, while flitting by at
short intervals came troops of Cossacks armed with
lances, and long lines of soldiery with bayonets fixed.
In all a funny jumble—merry-makirg in front of
loaded carbines, enthusiasm under police surveillance,
illumination and espionage, loyal demonstration and
abounding dread."