The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-08-25


There is no more noted name among
the Russian Nihilists than that Of Leo
Hartmann, whose portrait we herewith
present to our renders, and who has
been justly termed ''the terror Of the
Russian government" The history of
this fierce patriot, who is now in the
full flush of manhood, has been hitherto
one Of extraordinary yicissitudes and
danger, dashed with romano SO drama
tic and startling as to create a snspic-
ion Of exaggeration. During his visit
TO this country, a few days since, he has
been most outspoken regarding the aims
and prospects Of nihilism, as well as his
connection with the great organization
itself.
Prior 10 his arrival In this country,
Hartmann alleges, that he had been
tracked by Russian emissarles where
eve he had bent his steps In Europe.
These agents Of the car sought, under
the guise OF friendship and sympathy
with the nihilists, to betray him into
some position which would make him
appear a criminal In the eyes of those
among whom he was s~oiourning. On
on occasion they endeavored to entice
him TO the sea shore, with the intention
of kidnapping him and carrying him on
board a Russian vessel that lay ready
TO sail close by. On another, they at
tempted to get forged Russian notes
into his possession so as to embarrass
him; and yet, once more they tried to
so place him that, were it not for his
adroitness, the charge of an attempt at
robbery might have been preferred
against him with some show Of justice.
But on every occasion his GOODNESS and
Q r-sightedness frustrated them, and
brought him out triumphant. Some of
his escapes were all but miraculous.
While engaged with Others in running
a dynamite mine, at a certain point,
under a line Of railway over which the
car was to pass, the roofing of earth
fell in, SO that a large hole presented it.
self quite close to the track, and in full
view Of a number of n~eighboring habit
ations. 1t was raining heavily at the
time, when perceiving the imminent
danger in which he and his fellow o N
spisators were placed, he hastily crept
out Of the mine, the mouth Of which was
in a house close by, and gaining the
highway stood convenient to the OPEN
ing warning vehicle and foot passen-
gers to turn aside, as the earth at that
particular spot had given way before
the rain. No one suspecting the true
state of the case, the ruse was success
full, deceiving even q policeman who
happened to be passing at the period,
and who subsequently noted the filling
up of the breach with the utmost COM
placency.
A price has been set on the head Of
and on this account alone
attempts have been made to
capture him. For SO far, however, he
has, through his extraordinary boldness
and adroitness, evaded them all. He
had at m time been imprisoned in
Russia for distributing nihilistic docu-
but managed to escape from his
During bis ~sojourn on the con-
tinent Of Europe, he was, for the most
part, constrained to observe the utmost
and preserve the strictest in
cognito, lest some Of the crowned heads
should hand him over to Russia, on the
plea Of his having prompted or plan
ned the assassination of Alexander II.
As already observed, Hartmann is in
the full flush of early manhood, and is
obviously a person Of great endurance
aud activity, both mental and physical.
His figure is rather slight, and he is be-
Iow the middle height. His eyes are
bright and restless, and his whole de-
neanor that of a sincere and resolute
man. His beard is short, and his fore
head slightly re~treating, although well
.