Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-02-03
SIBERIAN HORRORS.

my DAck.'
Detroit Free Press.
SIBERIAN HORRORS.
Experiences OF N Chicago Pedagogy ne FIX
fled to siberia aud Compelled 10 Work
In the Mines.
Occupying humble furnished lodgings
in one OF the large buildings in the heart
of the city, and earning q moderate
income as a teacher of music and IAN
guages, is an old man, counting by years,
though his eye is so bright, his frame so
robust, and his step so firm that strap-
ger meeting him for the first time would
never suspect that he had passed mid
del But he comes of hardy race |
tho Swiss-and was nurtured in the
life-giving atmosphere Of the Alps. In
his youth he had constitution Of iron,
else he could not have survived the suf-
>ferings and privations which have been
his lot.
The assassination of the Gar was an
event which had the effect of loosening
his tongue, and during discussion Of
the causes of the tragedy he narrated an
interesting incident Of his life.
"What good can ever come Of an as
sassination ?".
Assassination Well, it is an I'M
pleasant word, 1 admit, but it means
nothing more than bloodshed, and what
great reform was ever accomplished
without bloodshed? 1t cost rivers OF
blood to emancipate the slaves of Amer
lea"
"True, in that case, but the serfs Of
Russia were liberated without the sacri-
Gee of o single life."
"Do you think the people of Russia
are free to-day? No. They can not be
bought and sold like merchandise, but
They are slaves all the same. They be-
long body and soul to the Gar, whom
they call the Father, and he can dispose
Of them as he sees fit. You have heard
Of Siberia. Is man free when, without
just cause and without trial, he may be
banished to that place? Why, even a
foreigner loses his freedom the moment
he sets his foot on Russian soil. Doyou
think all exiles are Russian subjects
No. l, Swiss, WAS in Siberia |"
You in Siberia? An exile?"
"Yps."
Glow could that happen
~ will tell you, because it will show
you how great is the power of the Gear
and how defenseless are the people. Ny
rase is one in thousands, and my suffer
in9s nothing rs compared to those which
many exiles endured.
81 was soldier in my youth, and
served in many parts OF the world. In
my last engagement l was severely
wounded. 1t is nothing now, but for q
time l was incapacitated for active mill
sary service. / had always had taste
Tor music, and had received good mu-
seal education. When l retired from
bhe army, therefore, l sought 10 support
myself by teaching. St. Petersburg
seemed to present good field, so went
there. I was we'll supplied with letters
Of introduction, which procured for me
The influence Of some OF the most i'm
portant personages in Russia, and had
no difficulty in obtaining pupils Of high
rank. At first l taught music only, but
soon found that 1 could materially add
10 my income by teaching the English,
French and italian languages, Of which
| had thorough knowledge. Within a
year 1 was we'll established and had
laid by little money. / had every rea-
non to congratulate myself upon my po-
Iition.
"But an evil day came. 1t was sit
ling alone in my.little library one even
ing when two agents Of tn police en-
tered and placed me under arrest"
For what cause2"
"For what cause? That was the
question I myself asked, but it was
many long day before it was answered.
The police would tell me nothing. They
simply hurried me off to prison. Nc
formal charge was prefesred against me,
there was no trial, but in two weeks
was on the way to Siberia It was win.
ter, and the journey was terrible one.
Think OF 1t Thousands Of miles in an
open sledge! I was taken to the Ouk-
boul mine, and there in the dark, breath
ing poisonous exhalations, WORKED
with conviets Of the lowest class, Will,
aguard, armed with whip, stood read,
70 lash us if we relaxed our efforts. Tbi
lasted for six months. 1 could not hav,
stood it much longer. Already m,
my strength was beginning to fail, al
though when / entered the mine wa
as strong as three men. I determined
70 escape, but before had decided hos
or when, 1 was transferred to Irkoutsk
The government was building roads anC
needed laborers 1t was hard work il
the burning sun, but child's play as com
pared to the mine. After while the,
found was an engineer, and that the,
could make better use Of my head thai
Of my hands. From that time my stu
alton was much pleasanter.
Zone day found an opportunity =
escape. 1t was in winter--my secon
winter in Siberia. A courier was to b
sent to the Gar. He was going in
sledge, and was to be accompanied par
OF the way by guide. had mad
good use Of my time in the engineerin
department, and knew the route frol
Irkoutsk to the frontier as we'll rs
could be learned from maps. Iresolvei
II possible, to take the place Of til
Buluc' rortluo ihNOleu ne Lug couIle
was to start early in the morning. I'll
night before, l found the guide, pile
kim with brandy, and left him in
drunken stupor. Before daybreak r.
turned and aroused him. He was sti
intoxicated and very thirsty. A fe
more drinks OF brandy sufllced to agai
stnp fy him. Then I took his clothe
his horse and his sledge, went for IL
courier, and in on hour We had lie
Irkoutsk far behind us. The couril
suspected nothing. He had never see
the real guide, and had therefore no re
son to suppose was an impostor.
accompanied him as far as Omsk. whel