The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-23
RUSSIAN
Why a Newspaper Man Fled from Russia
The Horrors of Russian Prisons.

'J ~t"'IAIVA MAN AOhA HN'9'AhA
TIL Horrors of Russian Prisons.
Cleveland Leader.
There is gentleman that can give You a
pretty good story said a popular Lake Shore
conductor, pointing to a foreign-looking individ-
ual who occupied a seat in the smoking-car. The
conductor introduced the newspaper man, and
soon Alexander Mellenhotf, the Nihilist, and the
reporter were engaged in an animated converse
ton. Mellenhoff had been a newspaper man
himself, while in his native country, and
to, sundry articles published in his journal
winch reflected upon the government, was due
his exile. Speaking with a French accent, he
sad: Il have spent two years i'll England pre-
vlous to my coming to this country, and from
what L have seen of the United States so far /
feel justified in saying that it is the greatest
country i'll the world. You have the highest and
truest form Of government, and for general in
teiligence and well-being of the people, you have
the lead.
1.-TWO years ago. last December, while sitting
in my editorial chair in st. Petersburg, one of
my trusty messengers came in and said that
the Gar had but a few moments before ordered
my arrest, and that if ] wished to escape ban
ishment l must leave the city without even bid
ding my family good-by l started for Paris in
disguise, where | was soon after joined by my
wife and baby. Together we proceeded to Eng
land, where we have resided till a few weeks ago.
when [ came alone to America, with the view Of
seeing the country, and if satisfactory, to make
1t my permanent home. l shall probably settle
in New York city, as there are many Russians
there, who are not only my friends but sworn
enemies to the Russian government. Yes, | am
a Nlhlllst, and if you had experienced what |
have think you would be one, too. During the
Russo-Turkish war my father vas one Of
the bravest and ablest officers that fought
under the Russian flag. 1t was he
who had led the successful charge over
the Turkish redoubt at Plevna. For this he
was personally thanked and decorated
by the Emperor. Ten years after the close of
that terrible struggle my father was torn from
his family and exiled for life in the death-wilds
OF Siberia. My mother and baby sister were
cast into one of the flthiest and most horrible
dunge Ons in Moscow. | was then a student at a
university in st. Petersburg. The terrible eli
mate and harsh treatment of my father soon
brought him to Il premature grave. But his suf-
ferings We're nothing compared with those which
Killed my mother. Listen" Here q slight
palor Overspread the speakers face, and in
tremulous tones he continued: Have you ever
heard anything about a Russian prison! No!
Then | will tell YOU that of all the hellish places
built by the hands of man for the consignment
of Gods creatures, those are the worst. Under
ground to the depth of sometimes sixty feet;
damp, moldy, and sinking with etfete matter,
my mother and little sister lay for two long
months before death ended their horrible exis-
tence. The rats which infest these
dungeons are nearly as large as
a young cat, going in large swaTms
and devouring everything which comes in their
way. They are cowardly. however, and for two
months my mother kept them away from herself
and child, but finally her strength gave out and
the rats devoured them both, save a few pieces
of hair and clothing, which my wife has in Eng
land. Yes, | am a Nihilist, and / would to
heaven l possessed ten thousand lives, that |
might consecrate them all to that noble cause.
| notice. pursued the stranger, speaking hl a
calmer tone, that the people in this country
have a very wrong impression concerning Mill
lists and nihilism. They seem to have the idea
that they area lot of blood thirsty. brutal beings,
who would as lief cut your throat as to look at
you. There are, to he sure, a great many
ignorant and loW-born Deople numbered among
them, a class of individuals to be found in any
country, that are ever ready to Join a revolution
airy party, whatever its causes. but YOU will find
that the vast majority of the Nihilists are of
the best and most intelligent people of Russia.
At the university where | attended every one OF
the professors were Nihilists as well as all the
the students. a great many people class us on
the level with the Irish dynamiters, or Fenians,
whatever they are called, but this, again. is an in
justice. While it is true that the Nihilists use
dynamite and other high explosives in their war
fare, yet, did we but have a form of government
which would represent the people as well as the
nobility, such death-like measures as are now re
sorted to would end. The Irish people have that
form of government, and they are not satisfied
with it; for no government could satisfy them.
So it is not right to class us among the Irish
dynamiters, from the difference Of intelligence
and social standing of the two parties, the causes
which they represent, and governments under
which they live
Has nihilism diminished since the coming Of
the present Carr inquired the reporter.
mo; on the contrary, it has greatly increased.
There IS not capital or hardly a large city in
Europe where they do not have their head
quarters. There are even members of the Cars
family who are Nihilists, and they can be
counted in Russia by the thousands. No; nihil-
ism has been spreading itself among the Rus
sian people most effectually during the last
three years, and it will ever become more
powerful till their object is accomplished-that
of revolutionizing the government and limiting
the absolute and heartless power of the Roman
off family. The cause for which my mother and
father met their terrible deaths was not known
by them, nor even by, me to this day. Upon the
slightest preteXt, and without any chance of
defending themselves, are thousands of families
every year torn apart to meet a similar fate"
Does it not seem a pity that so many limo
cent lives should be sacrificed by your mode of
warfare?" asked the reporter.
Yes, it does. We feel ii more that you inn
agine. But how CAN'T be avoideR There is no
other way open for us
QUEER VIRGINIA CUSTOMS.