The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-25
A Strange Story.
the Biggest Lie Of the Season.
Corresponding Philadelphia Times. /

Correspondence Philadelphia rimes.l
In the year of our Lord 1881 Alexander H.,
Gar OF all the Russias, will be assassinated. -
Such were the words uttered by a selfDamed
prophet from the courthouse steps at Mead
counsellor of an emperor aud high in court fa-
vor, now lies in pauper's grave in one corner
of the Crawford county poor farm, with but
slab OF wood to mark his last restiug-pace To
people hereabouts he was known as Frederick
Hyren. 1t was but assumed name howev-
er, and if the papers which he left behind can
be believed his career was most remarkable
one
Frederick Hyren was born in Finland and
his parents were serfs While quite young his
natural abilities SO pleased his matter that he
was freed and sent to school. Subsequently he
was admitted to the court service at st Peters
burg and in short time rose to a position OF
Importance. About this time the late Gear,
then Czarewitch, started on his journey in
search of wife. Young Hyren, by lucky
chance, was chosen to accompany him. Every
body knows the romance of that journey, and
how the Czarewitch finally chose au obscure
but beautiful princess from one of the smaller
German courts. This was the cause of Hyren's
future downfall.
He carried message to. the father of the
princess. He and the princess met, and re-
sponslve love was kindled in their hearts They
pledged eternal love. When the Czarewitch
saw Hyren's loved one the match was made
Hyren. however, had an unconquerable ambi-
tion, and lai6 a plan to Illustrate the Care
witch. The latter had grave doubts as to
whether he would be allowed to marry an un-
known princess. Hyren volunteered to hasten
back to Russia and prepare the Gar When
he arrived, instead of advocating the marriage,
he deprecated it. His idea was to have the
affair broken off, gain credit for doing it, and
marry the princess himself. There was an out
cry IN court circles against the marriage, but ii
was found impossible to prevent it, y, nen the
Czarewitch discovered the manner in which
Hyren had treated him he sought mis- rui,.
Hyren appealed to the tzar, however, who
sent him to Constantinople to study the Orien-
tai languages. He spent six years in Turkey.
When he returned to st. Petersburg he gradu-
ally rose until he was considered the chief of
the secret advisers of the Gar. 1t began to be
whispered about that all was not right between
the CZarewitch and his wife. Hyren's name
was connected with hers. Then the Gar died,
and Hyren knew that the pentup wrath of the
new Gar would be poured upon his head with
out stint and he prepared to fly.
He took ship for America, changed his lme
to Hyren, and Russians always supposed that
he was secretly assassinated by order of the
late Gar. The ship in which he came across
was wrecked, and the wreckers seized the mon
ey and valuables he had, leaving him without
resources in a strange land. He managed to
get to New York city, and would have sue
ceeded well in his new home if his mind had
not gwen way. He was an excellent English
scholar, and easily obtained position as teach
er He brooded over his lost chances, became
morose, and at times almost wild. Then he
saw a note in Russian paper that he was sup
posed to be living in America. He became
fearful OF his life. Every stranger he met who
had the appearance of countryman of his
would cause him to tremble. His mind gradu-
ally gave way, and about two years after his
arrival in this country he became insane. He
wandered away from New York city, and final
ly fixed his habitaton in western Pennsylva-
mia. He would go from town to town in this
section, calling on the people to repent and be-
iieve, for the end of the world was at hand. As
he seemed to be perfectly sane except ON relg-
ious subjects he was never molested. He made
contidant of a gentleman in this section, and
conhded to him large amount of manuscript
under seal, with instructions to read after his
DEATH This was written Immediately after
his arrival in this country, and was a minute
account OF his early life. The exposure which
he endured at last began to tell on him. and he
was sent to tine Crawford county poor house,
where he died