The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-12-06

however, were dressed alike. We had
caftans of coarse, gray cloth, with two
diamond-shaped yellow patches on our
backs to signify that we were sentenced
to hard labor. The Siberian exiles
proper wore only an ace of diamonds.
From Keiff we went by railroad in
special prison car, accompanied by
gendarmes. Thus we passed Orel, Mos
COW, and reached Nijni-Novgorod.
Then We were placed in a barge, which
was towed by steamer to Perm. Then
again we went by railway up to Ecater-
inburg. after that there was before us
the famous Siberian road. 1t is COM
mon post route, with three telegraph
wires stretched on one side. These
wires lead to the very shere of the Paci-
fic. Each of us nob1emen had troika.
and each was accompanied by two
armed gendarmes. From Kieth to Eca
terinburg we had no chance to look
upon the world except through iron bars
and nets, but now we could enjoy the
view with no obstacle before our eyes.
What a jo,' it was for me! I felt as if
freedom was returning to me. True,
since the first day of my arrest the idea
of attempting to escape never left my
mind. But now that | looked upon the
free wide world the thought turned into
burning desire which controlled all
my actions. Once in the night, while
the gendarmes were asleep at my side,
l took the cap from one of them, and
tried to pull out his pistol. If / had
succeeded in getting that pistol would
have tried my legs, but the gendarme
awoke, and parted for the time with
my happy dream.
We made two hundred miles and
reache Tiumen. From that town up
| To;nsk we were taken along with hun
! dreds of common criminals in a barge.
We ran up the Oh. The prisoners
called our barge a poultry house. be-
| cause it was covered with solid iron
net. The prisoners were packed in the
barge like herrings in box. We, the
| political prisoners were allowed to walk
occasionally on the deck. In this man
ner we journeved two thousand seven
hundred versts. From Tomsk to Kras-
noiarsk we travelled five hundred
versts on the troikas. and from there to
1rkutsk we had to 60 by the etape sys-
tenn. One thousand versts were thus
| journeyed in two months. In our party
there were one hundred and seventy
persons. There were robust men,
hearty women, babies and the aged.
The etGpe system is arranged in this
way: All the prisoners were put into
two lines. Then followed wagons with
the women and children and the prison
| ers' luggage. Then followed two troikas
of the noble exiles, and three troikas of
the political criminals closed the pro-
cession. An officer and thirty soldiers
formed a kind of chain around our
party. Fifteen miles was regular
day tramp. Then all stopped in the
prison for the night. After two days of
walking day was allowed for rest
The houses are divided in four unequal
parts, to-wit: large hall for male
prisoners, a family room, a room for
noblemen, and the guards room. Of
cleanliness and comfort in any of the
rooms there was absolutely none.
Besides the officer and the soldiers
two men play an important role in the
prisoners life. Each group of prison
ers elects from among themselves the
elder, who serves in the common inter
est, representing the others before the
authorities, and keeping the prisoners
funds. That elder is a kind of a guard
ian angel to the sprisoners.e But then
there is an angel of quite a different
character. This is the tradesman who
keeps store and club for the pris-
oners. He is prisoner who outbids his
competitors for his privilege. He keeps
for sale tea. sugar, tobacco, candles,
cards, etc Each prisoner receives ten
copecks, or five cents each day. The
officer turns the money over to the
elder, who distributes it among the
prisoners. On entering the etap house
and being counted over the prisoners
are let free. Whereupon they make a
lively rush, eacnone scrambling for a
good place. He who gets bed of plain
boards is deemed lucky, anu whoever
secures place under such bed is also
contented. The remainder sleep on the
floor.
fires in the yard and prepare their por-
ridge and tea. This forms a unique
scene. Scores of wood-piles burn
brightly in the yard, and around each
the prisoners swarm, adjusting their
iron tea kettles and stirring porridge.
Here and there men are taking off their
worn-out boots, unwrapping their feet
and examining their chains, which otter
causes bad sores. Some of the prison
ers deity remove their irons altogether
andothers assisted by specialists, try to
smoother the leg rings or even to stretch
them so much that the foot will easily
pass through. Here are two men ready
to fight, and there is group cautiously
whispering, discussing some conspiracy
Presently song, Down the Mother
Volga," is heard. A young prisoner
possessing melodious and strong voict
pours his very soul into that favoritt
: Russian ballad. The prisoners camp
} is hushed at once. Everybody drink!
/; in that melody, and happy reminis
! cences of the past, of wives, sisters
sweethearts, mothers, companion anC
children, chase one another through
these saddened minds. Some of tn,
) men though rough looking, show tear
dampened eyes. 1t is sacred moment
Even the guard sent to order the pris
: oners to bed, stops as if petrified, hi
: heart melted by the familiar air.
Many of them do not care to sleep
Here and there they light their candle
and play cards. But the tradesman'
corner is the liveliest spot. There pile
of coppers constantly appear on tn
table and as rapidly disappear. Th
prisoners play for cash. and occasion
ally the tradesman advances fey
copecks, under the guarantee that b
will get the prisoners share next day