Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-05-27

boldness of his robberies and the greater
frequency of his cruelties.
Under the Empress Anna he used every
means in his power to get position al
court, and was eventually successful. In
May. 1882, he received the place Of equerry
This give him abundant opportunity to cul'
tivate friendly relations with Biren, the all.
powerful favorite with the empress, who
made him general in-chief in January,
1875.
Like most people who are in ill-health
the empress was very capricious. New
amusements had to be continually devised
for her, one of which was the Fools Mar
riage," in the arrangement of which Count
Wolinski- who by this time had been ap.
pointed to position in the cabinet-took,
as we have seen, an important part.
We left Tredjakowski at the moment
when, covered with blood and with the loss
of an eve, be had regained his liberty. He
Immediately addressed memorial to the
Academy, which brought the facts concern
hands of Wolinski to the knowledge Of that
minister's enemies. He next appealed d.
rec,ly to the empress herself for satisfac-
top. As nolhing further came of the
affair for the nome II, Wolinski had good
reason to think it would soon be forgotten.
The favorable termination of the Turkish
war was the theme that Just at this time
occupied the public mind to the exclusion
of everything else, and all we're busy with
preparation for celebrating it with becom-
ing solemni,;es. This, however, was out a
Transient lull that delayed for only few
weeks the storm that was gathering to burst
upon the cruel tavorite.
Wolinski had many enemies, who in.
censed the all powerful Biren against him
by representing that the attack on the Sec
retary in his palace was personal affront
and an outrage upon his du al dignity.
This led to Wolinski's using language to
Biren, in an unguarded moment, that was
bi~hly insulting. The Duke resolved to
destroy the man who dared to defy him,
and determined that he should expiate the
outrage with his blood.
He presented long list of accusations
against Wolinski to the empress, and de-
manded that she should decide between
them.
EITHER he or must fall" said Biren
and from this resolve he could not be
moved.
This sealed the fate of Wolinski. From
this moment he was doomed man.
One of the principal charges against the
minister related to The incident that oc
CURED between him and the Secretary OF
the Academy in the dacal palace. The
empress begged that she might be allowed
time to consider before deciding in so i'm
poriant matter, but Bren threw himself
on his knees and again repeated that either
he or Wolnski must fall He even threat
| ened to leave St. Petersburg. This decided
the matter.
Wolinski was forbidden to appear al
court, and soon aiterward was placed un
der arrest III his own palace.
A commission was appointed to examine
| the charges against the minister. Aft,
the first hearing he was himself convinced
| that he was lost. To the charges alre ady
brought against him, his enemies added
that If high treason and conspiracy. HI
was first conveyed to the prison OF the ad
miralty, but was soon after removed to the
fortress. As he denied the accusations, he
was put to the rack, and after the torture he
received eight blows with the knout, which
were so well laid on that he lost the use O.
his right arm in consequence of them, and
was no longer able to sign the protocols.
| The sentence Of the court was terrible
| 1t was that Wolinsk should have bis tongue
torn out, and then be impaled alive that
his accomplices should be beheaded and
quarter d that his three children should
be bani,hed to Siberia and that his estates
should be confscated.
The empress hestated to sign the death
warrant. Again Bren repeated his terri
BILE Either he or ~ With tears in hel
eyes Anna FINALLY acceded to the Dukes
de nands she, however, essened the severi
ty Of the death senteI ce.
On the morning of June 9th, l740
Wolinski. in the fl y-eighth year of his
age, ascendcd the scafold. His right hand
was first cut off, and then he was beheaded
and certain Count Mussn-P Puschkin had
piece Of his tongue cut off.
Such were the tragic consequences of "a
Fools Wedding