The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-10-10
THE HORRORS OF SIBERIAN EXILE.

OF the treatment OF political exies in Si-
IBERIA, have before me thrilling descrip-
ton from the pen Of Mr.. Robert Lemke, a
German writer, who has visited the various
penal establishments of Russia, with an of
fetal legitimation. He had been to Tobolsk;
after which he had to make long. dreary
journal (Y) in wretched car, until high
mountain rose before him. In its torn and
craggy flank the mountain showed a colossal
opening similar to the mouth of a burnt.out
crater Fetid vapors, which almost took
away his breath, ascended from it.
Pressing his handkerchief upon his lips,
Mr., Lemke entered the opening of the rock
where he found large wstch-house, with a
picket of Cossacks. Having shown his pa.
pers, he was conducted by guide through
long, very dark and narrow corridor, which
judging from its sloping descent, led down
into some unknown depth In spite of his
good fur, the visitor felt extremely cold
After a walk of some ten minutes through
the dense obscurity, the ground becoming
more and more soft, vague simmer of
light became observable. we are in the
mine p said the guide, pointing with sig
nifcant gesture to the high iron cross-bars
which closed the cavern before them.s
The massive bars were covered with a
thick rust. A watchman appeared, who un-
locked the heavy iron gate. Entering a
room of considerable extent, but which was
scarcely mans height, and which was
dimly lit by an oil lamp, the visitor asked {:
Where are we p In the sleeping room of
the condemned Formerly it was product
i've gallery of he mine, now it serves as a
shelter
The visitor shuddered This subterra-
mean sepulchre, lit by neither sun nor moon,
was called sleeping room. Alcove.like
cells were hewn into the rock here, on a
couch of damp, half-rotten straw, covered
with sackcloth the unfortunate sufferers
we're to repose from the days work. Over
each cell crsmp-iron was fixed, wherewith
to lock up the prisoners like ferocious dogs.
No door no window anywhere.
Conducted through another passage, where
a few lanters were placed, and whose end
was also barred by an iron gate Mr.. Lemke
came to a large vault, partly lit THIS was
the mine. A deafening noise of pickaxes
and hammers. There he saw some hundreds
of wretched figures, with shaggy boards, sick
ly faces, Redeemed eyelids, clad in tatters,
some of them barefoot, others in sandals,
fettered with heavy foot chains. No song
no whistling. Now and then they shyly
looked at the visitor and his companion.
The water dripped from the stones the tat
| ters of the convicts were thoroughly wet.
| One of them, tall man of suffering mien
laborei hard with gasping breath, but the
strokes of his pickaxe were not heavy and
| firm enough, to loosen the rock.
why are you here I? Mr.. Lemke asked.
The convict looked confused, with an all
almost of CONSERVATION, and silently con
tinued his work,
1T is forbidden to the prisoners said the
inspector, ito speak of the cause of thei
banishment =
Entombed alive forbidden to say why !!
| But who is the convict p Mr.. Lemk'
asked the guide, with low voice.
1T is number l13 = the guide replied, la
conicallv.
This | see,' answered the visitor 'bu
what are the mans antecedents To wha
family does he beloug?'
| He is a count replied the guide "a we'll
known conspirator. More, regret to say
l cannot tell you about Number HAP
The visitor felt as if he were stihed in thu
grave-like atmosphere-as if his chest wer
pressed in by demoniacal nightmare. H
hastily asked his guide to return with hin
to the upper world. Meeting the comman
der of the military establishment, he wa
obligingly asked by that officer.
well, what impression did our penal es
tablishment make upon you p
Mr.. L,mke stiillv bowling in silence, tn
officer seemed to take this as kind of salts
fled assent, and went on.
Very industrious people, the men below
are they not?'
But with what feelings Mr.. Lemke au
swered, must these unlortunates look for
ward to day OF rest after the weeks toll =
Rest ! said the officer; 'convcts must al
ways labor. There is no rest for then
They are condemned to perpetual forced Ia
Dor and he who once enters the mine ney
er leaves it =
'But this is barbarous =
The officer shrugged his shoulders, an
said, The exied work daily for twely
hours ; on Sundays, too. They must nevs
pause. But, no ; am missaken. Twice
year, though, rest is permitted to them
Easter time and on the birthday of His Nj
ljesty, the Emperor. '-KaI Blind in the Co,
| ye,n,,nrnr,, D,,,,o,,