Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-11-14
A "oliSh Lady knontcd.

A "olish Lady knoutcd.
AT a gathering of Poles in the little vii
lage of kernst, in the southern Nniemen,
on the 29th of July last, when all thought
themselves secure from the intrusion OF
any of the numerous spies who keep the
Russian officials informed of the malCon-
tents among them, AleXandrina koSso-
WITT, young lady whose father the
younger son Of a formerly noble Polish
family-was killed in the recent troubles
in Warsaw, expressed her sympathy with
the unfortunates whom Russian severity
had murdered or sent into exile. The
meeting was purely social one, and none
dreamed that anything said there would
reach the ears Of spies, for all present
were known to be Poles, and firm haters
of the harsh rule under which they then
lived. Still, as the young girl, in her pas
sonate remembrances OF ertather' S love,
derl0red his death, expressed her sympa-
thy with rebellion and detestation OF her
Oppressors, she was cautioned, lest her
loud tone should enable the people at the
window to hear her, With hasty glance,
as though to read in the faces Of those
about her who should betray her, the
Young lady ceased her cyecratiOns and
relapsed into silence When ten O'clock
arrived the latest hour OF Polish gather.
ings, the company separated, and Alexan
drina Kossowitz, accompanied by her al
famed, Julian Temensky, went 10 her
home.
If, in passing from the house Of the
gathering, she had been more observant,
Alexandrlna would have seen the malic-
lousy triumphant chances cast after her
by Catherine Merdotf, a woman Of about
thirtv.fve wears, a Pole by birth, and q
sympathi2er with her unhappy country
women whenever her own passion was
not concerned, and, from the subsequent
proceedings, it seems that in this case
she had been superseded in the affections
OF the young Dr. Temensky by the more
beautiful and younger Alexandria KOS
soWitR
On the following day, shortly after ris-
ing, Alexandria was seized at her own
home. short distance from Kernst, by
two Cossacks of the guard at the garri-
son, and taken before the petty Judge.
The young lady Of nineteen, handsome
and trembling, produced no feeling OF
pity. Having at first denied the accuse
ton, she was confronted with Catherine
MerdoH, and then acknowledged her Of
Tense, In passing sentence, the petty
Judge said that her sediiious utterances
might have warranted hin in sending her
before Il higher tribunal, where the pen.
atty would be death but in view Of her
youth and contritiun lie should merely
order her to receive thirty-fye lashes OF
the knOut Almost henumbed with
shame and terror, the girl was led away
to be prepared for punishment for in Rus
STA all sentences, save that Of death, are
carried out Immediately after they have
been pronounced.
Word having been sent to the officer
commanding the troops, Il guard OF two
hundred men was ordered into the gaffi-
son square, and the eXeculionc OF the
troop was called upon 10 be ready to car
ry out tie duties of his Office In hui
an hour after the sentence had been given
the troops had been formed in a hollow
square, in the center of which had been
placed a sCailold, standing on four legs,
TIE top Of which WAS an inclined plane.
Beside this stood She eXecutioner, having
in his muscular hand the knout ThlF
weapon consists of stick, or handle, two
feet long, with lash four feet long, OF
soft leather, To the end Of which Is at
lached by loop piece Of fiat rawhide
two inches vide and Two feet long. In
the lands Of an experienced man the
piece Of rawhide can be made to cut like
knife.
As The executOner stood facing the
scaffoid, Alexandrina Kossowitz WAS
brought to him by her guard, and IA q
few moments her clothing was removed
to her waist, despite her almost mute APP
peals to be spared the shame. AS she
pleaded she was bent on the plane, her
hands strapped to the two upper corners,
and her ankles secured at the
feet Of the structure. One Of the
executioner's assistants held her head,
and the petty Judge gave the order for
whipping TO commence. Iwlrllng the
| the long lash in the arr the executioner
stepped suddenly backward, and with
sharp crack the thong fell on the OGk OF
the sobbing girl, cutting a iiyid streak
| from her right shoulder to her waist A
terrible tremor passed over her, ana q
quick, low cry escaped her lips, but II
was the only sound she sitered, and were
it not for the blood which soon com.
menced 10 flow, II might have seemed
that the whipping was being Done
on the naked back Of A corpse.
When the last lash had been
given the young lady was unfasten'
( ed. and with her clothing rndely thrown
( over her, she was taken to prison, and
there, after thanking the Judge for aif
mercy, according 10 the necessary for.
mula, she was delivered osor > hei
( friends
Five days afterward the Gaacae Of
4 wilma contained this announcement
+" The Polish criminal, AlezaEdripa Kos
gowiiz, daughter Of the rebei Peter Kos
sowitz, who was kp0ntad for aeditiou.
u;tofaaces on the o3th Of ,Iuly, at Kernst
ohtie submitting her decorations 10 medi
/ cal treatment in The house Of the physi
/ clan kemenksky, stole vial Of prussi'
acid, with which she ended her days,
THE pre.hysteric period-before tigh
/ lacng was invented.