The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-12-19
A MuscovITE,s TRIeuLAr,oNs.

| The Story Of August Blandowski's Life -
Russian Officer ofthe Royal Guards, Exile.
Ballet Master. Theater Proprietor and
+, Conyict-The Work Of An Unprinciplsd
(, Woman.
MILwaUKEE, WIS, December
In August, 1881, August Blandowski, o
New York theatrical man was arrested
here on q charge of forgery, and after Q
short trial was sent to prison for a term
of years. Blsndowski was q character
well known and well thought of by the
New York theatrical people, and for some
time before coming west he was one Of
the most successful ballet-masten
In New York. The news Of his
crime, arrest and conviction created
quite sensation in eastern theatrical
circles. Blandowski was the victim of
circumstances, and as there were many
palliating features, friends in the pro-
fession at once set schemes on foot to
secure the mans pardon. They have at
last been successful in their efforts, and o
pardon from Governor Rusk reached the
prison last night, and to-day Blandowski
left the institution free man. The
mans story, as learned by 8 correspond
ent,
READS LIKE ROMANCE.
In 1860 he came to this country from
Russia, with plenty of money and title,
though an exile. In his native country he
was an officer of the Royal Guards. He
fell in love with peasant girl of beauty,
and overcoming parental objections,
married her. She proved to be unworthy
of his affection, being vain of her good
looks, fond of fine dresses and inclined to
coquette with the courtlers. She almost
ruined him by her extravaganza, and
when he demonstrated she rebelled.
Blandowski was one day arrested
and thrown into prison, where he was
kept for weeks without an explanation
Then his General called upon him and
told him that the cause of his imprison-
ment was the discovery of Nihilistic
pamphlets at his house. The General
said that Blandowski's wife had begged
him to attempt to secure her husbands
release, and it was in response to her
request that he made the visit to the
prison. The guards had been bribed,
and arrangements made to transport him
to the coast, where he could take q YES
Sci and
ESCAPE TO AMERICA.
Bandowski Indignantly replied that he
was innocent, and did not need to fly like
q criminal. Thereupon the General pro-
duced a letter from the prisoners wife
imploIing him to fly. She confessed that
the Nihilist documents were obtained
through her instrumentality, and in af-
fecting language asked his forgiveness
for bringing misfortune upon him. She
asked him to accept the services of his
General, who would prove friend, and To
escape to America, where she would fei-
low. Blandowski burst into tears at this
evidence of his wife's affection. The
General pressed q well-filled purse into
his hand, and they passed the bribed jail
ers without trouble. He reached New
York in safety, but his wife did not fol-
low him, and he learned subsequently
that his imprisonment was conspiracy be-
tween his wife and the General. His wife
planned to get him out of the country,
and procure a divorce on the strength OF
his criminality against the Government,
so as to marry the General.
BAD LUCK PURSUED HIM
in this country, and his money melted
away until he was obliged to take class
of ballet dancers to earn enough for his
support. Afterward his condition iI-
proved and ne became the proprietor of
q theater in Denver. In 1868 the build
ing caught fire, burning to the ground
and entirely running him financially.
He then returned to New York,
and found employment at his
former calling of ballet master. In 1881
he came here with party of friends, and
getting out of money he forged the name
of local theatrical manager to several
notes and deposited them at the hotel as
security for board. The forgery was dis
covered and Blandowski was punished.
Friends have secured him a position as
ballet master with the Michael Strogoff
Company, and he will at once leave the
city.