The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-05-28
A Strange Story.


In the year Of our Lord 1881, Alex
ander H., Gar of all the Russias, will
be assassinated. Such were the words
uttered by self-named prophet fresf
the Courthouse steps at Meadville, Pa,
in the fall Of 1876. This man, once the
counselor of an Emperor and high In
court favor, now lies in pauper's grave
in one corner of the Crawford County
Poor-farm, with but slab of wood to
mark his last resting place. Few people
knew his inner life. To people here
abouts he was known as Frederick Hy-
rem. 1t was but an assumed name,
however, and if the papers which ne 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
master that he was freed and sent to
school. Subsequently he was admitted
to the court service at st. Petersburg,
and in short time rose to position of
Importance. About this time the late
Gar, then Czarewitch, started on his
journey in search of wife. Young
Hyren, by lucky chance, was chosen
to accompany him. Everybody knows
the romance of that journey, and how
the Czarewitch finally chose an obscure
but beautiful Princess from one of the
smaller German courts. This was the
cause of Hyren's future downfall. He
carried a message to the father of the
Princess. He and the Princess
met, and a responsive 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 un.
conquerable ambition, and laid plan
to Illustrate the Czarewitch. The latter
had grave doubts as to whether he
would be allowed to marry an unknown
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 cutlery
in court circles against the marriage,
but it was found impossible to prevent
it. When the Czarewitch discovered
the manner in which Hyren had treated
him he sought his ruin. Hyren appealed
to the Gar, however, who sent him to
Constantinople to study the Oriental
languages. He spent six years in Tur-
key. When he returned to st. Peters,
burg he gradually rose until he was con-
sidered 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 new that the pent-
up wrath of the new Gar would be
poured upon his head without stint and
he prepared to fly.
He took ship for America, changed
his named to Hyren, and Russians
always supposed that he was Sc
cretly assassinated by order of the
late Gar. The ship in which he came
across was wrecked, and the wreckers
seized the money and valuables he had,
leaving him without resources in a
strange land. He managed to get to New
York city, and would have succeeded
well in his new home if his mind had not
given way. He was an excellent Eng
fish scholar, and easily obtained a posi-
ton as teacher. He brooded over his
lost chances, became morose, and at
times was almost wild. Then he saw a
note in Russian paper that he was sup
posed to be living in America. He be-
came fearful of his life. Every stranger
he met who had the appearance of
countryman of his would cause him to
tremble. His mind gradually gave way,
and about two years after his arrival in
this country he became insane. He
wandered away from New York city,
and finally fixed his habitation in West
ern Pennsylvania He would go from
town to town in this section, calling on
the people to repent and believe, for the
end of the world was at hand. AS he
seemed to be perfectly sane except on
religious subjects, he was never mo-
Tested. He made confidant of gen.
tleman in this section, and confded 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 minute account of his early life.
The exposure which he endured at last
began to tell on him. and he was sent to
the Crawford County Poor-house, where
he died.-Cor. Philadelphia Press.