The sun., 1879-06-10
NIhILIsr BOBoKHoFF-s TRIAL
Forced by the Russian Government TO Resort
TO Arms-IInnxcd.


On April 20. in Archangelsk, the political
exile Serge Bobokhofr. 20 years old. was sem
fenced to death by hanging. The military court.
IN consideration OF tho youth ~ the prisoner.
recommended him to the mercy Of the Grand
Duke Nicholas. General-in-Chiet OF tho ST.
Petersburg armies, asking that sentence OF
death he commuted TO Imprisonment for life.
Hero are the names of tho members uf the
court thni tried Bohokhofr: President. Gen.
Donctii. ana Count Strn6ock -Frrnor. on tl,rir
departure from ~. Petersburg, th" Judges were
addressed by the Grand Duke Nichoas in these
words: leNpcrt you Will not sentence him 20
an honornhl" DEATH" They readily complied
with tho request.
ONLY u lew picked persons werc admitted TO
the court. which was surrounded hy policemen
und soldiers. Twelve gendarmes brought Boz
bOkhon into court The young prisoner was
pule. but calm and steady. BY his side two gen
dnrues stood with drawn swords six soldiers,
with their guns on their shoulders. separated
him from the spectators and i've soldiers stood
between him AMI the Judges. Then the charges
We're rend. .Bohokhofi WINS accused OF armed re-
sstrnre to the police. HIS testimony. given on
the preliminary inquest ran thus;
So belong 70 iae ,e,sl M rcy,iaops,y ariy gave il all
n, @ n H. ~un M ,, & & n 10, & &,aeSi tvra'
sorl 10 arms ON oct 81 when wa. on,ialy informed
sSrr i,S tS t T., ~, f''S w. S NJ
% feot 90 my e. to protest AGAINST the d,- -otic
i'' ~ ~. inr N Nuu ch'nsc sN1ot no hanc me. hut
or s srcat s iT ' 'A' "'' NY 'N''''' can '''
During tho trial when nsked by the prcsd-
Ing Ju il,e To- give explanations conrorntp, th,.
testimony against him Buhokhon began 10
speak OF the intolerahle condition OF the exil"s.
whi"h led him to attempt 10 escape: hut the
President interrupted him. saying he must
only speak on the point ~ issue. The prisoner
nEuin tried e. speak OF exile t. onstrrn Siberia
md uguin he was stopped. IL was evident that
he wns not tu hAv" the opportunity 90 speak.
und be exclaimed; Now see ccur yihrre is no
chance for mo- lon are not judges. but cxecu-
tonerS; hired murder"rs. desuisr YOU DO
with me rs YOU please. hut know that will be
rrvenEed hy my fcllows."
B1hokhon WIS ordered 10 be taken out of the
court room. In halt an hour however. he was
brought again, aud the trial was continued. the
prisoner not uking any part in II. The Judges
rendered a verdict Of death by hanging. NeNt
day several gen inrmes entered his cell and Or
drred him 10 accompany them. Bnbokhoff.
thinking they were about 10 execute him asked
perm ssiou 10 say his last farewell TO his fellow
prisoners. On being told that they were or
dored to take him 10 court for a final hearing n
the sentence. he snid: " Oh. then. have to live
some days more =" Tho onirrr OF grndarmes.
who WIS sent from st. Petersburg IN watch the
trial. sent despatch 10 his chief. Gen. Drenteln.
The next day there was an attempt on the lie
Of Drenteln.
Good-by. comradel Whether your execution
ers kill you or Tut you for life into "A wret he'd
cell bee sure We Will try to revenge you till the
Inst drop " our blood.
But mitigation Of sentence hRs not been
granted and young Bobokhoif has been hanged.