, 1881-05-14
THE NIHlLISf EXECUTIONS.
THE EXPIATION on THE 81.
MONOFskY PLAINS.
SOPHIE PERoFFsKY'S sTOIcAL
COURAGE.
how TIE CONDEMNED SPENT THEIR
LAST MOMENTS on EsKTu.
An VERY IG.soMINIoUs. BURIAL

The following additional details OF the
execu ion OF the Nihiiists have been re-
ceive,i Russokofi asked tor three wax
tspeis, such as are carried 20 church. 4 copy
OF the New Testament and one Of the small
colsecrated i0aves made and sold by the
monks. When not praying he smoked
cigarettes In the course OF the day he or
fered his services 10 the government as a
spy Naturally enough he met with re-
fusal, FOR he belonged only to the outside
circle and could be OF little use Jeliabofi
spent his time m debating page after page
about the trial, and committing TO pape,
what he would not be allowed 20 utter In
speech. Sophie Peroiisky wrote 10 her
mother to waste no time or trouble in as.
suaging the wrath of her father for vha,
isl! been done. lie would reyer forgi.e.
hihaltschitisch, the maker of the bombs,
and m some respects the most remarkable
figure among the condemned, devoted his
last hours to drawing up 4 memoir on the
subject OF his specific discoveries, which he
addressed to the High Court of Justice In
the document he avOwed bis desire that his
name should be immortalized. and he made
gift OF his invention to the State, on the
condition that all the profits should 60 to
the amcliorat;on Of the lot OF the children OF
political criminals.
THE EXECUTION.
The execution took place at nine O'Clock
in the me;ning, on SmOnoisky Plan, the
same spot on which Molodetsky was execu-
ted. The scaffold was rough wooden
structure, painted black, consisting of a
high platform, upon which were three
posts, each with chain and menasles, and
one long horizontal beam, with iron rings
Tor ropes, supported by two perpendicular
posts In front was low platform for the
officials. The large plain around was
covered with SNOW and ice, which was melt
ing in the warm sunshine BY o'clock
many thousands OF people had collected
around the plain and swarmed into the vari-
ons streets lealing to it. Ten thousand
troops kept them back and formed two
squares around the gallows. First were the
Cossacks with cOuched lances, and then de-
tachments of the guard. The infantry was
massed in deep columns, leaving ore side OF
the inner square open for the passage of the
condemned prisoners and escort The cor
tege entered the eastern side OF the plain a
few minutes before clock, having passed
through some OF the principal streets on the
way from the fortress.
ARRIVAL Ar THE SCAPPoLB.
The condemned Grimm lis We're seated high
m the GENRE Of two wheeled platforms,
lightly strapped to iron r DIS, With their
backs toward the horses anu ha'in, On their
breast largv ;ar.iswith the ord. T,ars oubles:
tuuriarer of The Czar) IN black aud wbIe.
Sur unhIng them was strong escort of
co sacks and infantry, wI:h drums an tifes
piayi lively tunr and proceeded by
monn'e ell yen,iarmes. The condemned per
:. n, ", r dressed ir black and wore sort
nf black hood, ring their h,ads and
,hOuld,r,. Ga the first tumbril sat Russo
kuff and Jellabcff, bo:h nf whose features
acre nearly concealed by heavy hoo,is.
.lellabutfs dark, ri. rcing eyes seem TO shine
with even intensified briiiisucy and detianc,.
As he Loo kei on the scene around him. On
the second tumbril were SEATED kibairschI.
usch, Sophie Prrotisky ana MlchaIlOtf. the
aoman occupying the inid,ile ssar- Ot these
free the fratures If SOPHIE Peroff,ky wtrr,
alone dis Inctly visible, her extra ,rdinarily
high and broad forrh 'ad being unshrouded
10y the hool Her slightly fus ed face be-
token II great mental excitem' n, hut there
WAS no slyn OF either fear or remOrse. ten.
Becannff, with the eXecutioner and his four
assistants, were waiting und-r the scaifold.
pEMEsSog oE THE CONDEMNED.
The condemned W, re unbound anu lei mp
the steps. With the exception Of Iussosoif
who seemed very feehl, all showing remark
able tirnness and resi- L Iti' n. S"phIe Per-
oif,ky appear d tie ealmest Of al! tne iive
pri.nnrrs. They we're tnen placed III fr'nt
Of the the three posts. with their heals bare.
he woman hrirg IN me m,id.c. While toe
clerk nf the Senate read tbs sentences the
civii,ns uncovered and the officers ss;a.ed.
Daring this tormailry five priests In pU-pie
.ap- mouh ed tine scatFold and presented the
cross. which al the condemned revrF' ntly
hissrd. The prisoners were then allowed tn
kiss each olh her ard word or two p7sseti
he ween .hem, hut the beating of the drums
uHich now began and lastei nntii the exc
cution was flashed, drowret every otner
uni. The prisoners Were then placed un-
DIR the brsm. Each prisoners head was
covered with white hood attached t. kind
If sack. Each one beginning with Russo
kof, WAS led to the top OF a small stool with
Steps.