The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-11
TEMPTED BY POVERTY.
The Romantic and Checkered Career of Blan.
dOwski, the Ballet Master

MILWAUKEE, Wis, Dec. I0.-In August 1881,
August Bandowski, New York theatrical man,
was arrested in this city on a charge Of forgery,
and after a short trial was sent to prison for a
term of years. Blandowski was a character
we'll 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-masters in New York. The news of his
crime, arrest and conviction created quite a
little sensation in Eastern theatrical circles.
Blandowski was the victim of circumstances,
and as there were many palliating features,
friends in the profession at once set schemes on
foot to secure the mans pardon. They have at
at last been successful in their efforts, and par
don from Governor Rusk reached the prison last
night, and yesterday Blandowsk left the nsttu-
ton free man. The mans history, as learned
by your correspondent reads like romance.
In 1860 he came to this country from Russia
with plenty of money and title, though an eX-
lie. III his native country he officer of
the Royal Guards. He fell in love with a peas
ant girl of beauty, and, overcoming parental OBJ
jections, married her She proved to be
worthy of his affection, being vain of her good
looks, fond of fine dresses and inclined to CO
quette with the courtiers. She almost ruined
him by her extravaganza, and when he remons-
seized and thrown into prison, where he
kept for weeks without an explanation. Then
his general called upon him and told him that
the cause OF his Imprisonment was the discovery
of Nihilists pamphlets in his house. The Gen
eral said that Bandowski's wife had begged him
to attempt to secure her husbands release,
and 1T was i'll response to her request that
he made the visit to bis prison cell. The
guards had been bribed and arrangements
made to transport him to the coast, where he
could escape in a vessel to America Blandowskl
Indignantly replied that he was innocent, anddid
not need to fly like criminal Thereupon the
General produced a letter from the prisoners
wife imploring him TO fly She confessed that
the Nihilist documents were obtained through
her instrumentality, and in affecting language
asked his forgiveness for bringing misfortunes
upon him She asked him to accept the services
of his General, who would prove a friend. and
escape to America. where she would follow.
Blandowski burst into tears at this evidence of
his wifi IS affection. The General pressed
well-filled purse into his hand and they passed
the bribed jailers without trouble. He reached
New York in safety, but his wife did not
follow him, and he learned, subsequently,
that his Imprisonment was conspiracy between
his wife and the General. His wife planned it to
get him out Of the country, and procure a
divorce on the strength of his alleged criminal
ity against the government so as to marry the
General. Bad luck pursued him in this country.
His money melted away until he was obliged to
take class of ballet dancers to earn enough for
his support After a time his condition i'm
proved and he became proprietor of theater in
Denver. In 1868 the building caught fire, burn
ing to the ground and entirely running him.
financially. He returned to New York and
found employment at his former calling of bal
let master In 1881 he came here with party
of friends. Getting out of money he forged the
name of local theatrical manager to several
notes, and deposited them at the hote! as Sc
curity for his board. The forgery was discov-
cred and Blandowski was punished. Friends
have secured him Il position as ballet-master
with the Michael Strogoff" company, and he
will at once leave the city.