The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-06-11
NIHILISTS IN OREGON
A Strange Settlement on the
Pacific Coast.


A Strange Settlement on the
Pacific Coast.
Refugees from Russia Who have Estab.
lished Republic Of Their Own
Among the foothills Of the coast
range In the southern part of Oregon,
at place called Longdale station,
stands settlement of Russian refu-
gees. Although ostensibly subject
to the laws of Jackson county, yet
this community of exiles is in reality
an imperium in imperio. 1t seems to
be sort of Platonic republic, where
property is common and where the
greatest freedom possible to an organ
lied society is allowed.
In 1881 band of twenty students
of the Odessa and Kharkof universe
ties left Russia in separate detach-
ments, with New York as the meeting
place. Arriving there they looked
about for some place of settlement, and
determined on Oregon. Not having
money enough, they again separated,
and worked in different cities of tho
east until fund had been raised suf-
icient to buy the title deeds to several
thousand acres of land. When the
property was purchased they at once
started for Oregon and began the for
nation of colony. to which have
since been added thirty or forty addi-
tional nihilists. The land was divided
into farms, and each colonist allowed
certain amount of money to pur'
chase stock and tools.
Soon the settlement thrived until
their colony, which is called "New
Odessa stood on substantial basis
Then rules and regulations were adopt
ed for the government of the settlers,
1t was decided that each man should
work but six hours day, the remain
der to be devoted to listening to lee.
lures on nihilism and the rights Of
man. One large house was selected
IS the lecture hall, and there the refu.
gees daily listen to the speculations OF
The students on the right of revolu
lion, which they claim will uprise in
Russia as sure as the Volga flows into
he sea.
The chief staple of cultivation of the
colony is grain. There are about
twenty women in the settlement. The
colony is in the possession of large Ii
orary, open to all, which is composed
mostly of treatises on political subject:
n the Russian tongue. The library
IS gradually increased by additions O
books and papers from Geneva ant
odessa.
Among the settlers is Ivan Urvan
ky, who was connected with the nihi
lists in Odessa, and who was arrested
n 1878. At that time there was
nan in Odessa named Kowalsky, VIII,
published the books and pamphlets o
The nihilists. One night while he wa
snrono1 in fhic
surrounded by gendarmes. The nihi
lists closed the doors and burned all 0
;he papers and books When the off
,ers of the Gar broke down the door
fight ensued between the two partie
and six officers were killed. The
found evidence against Kowalsky an
ais confederates in the portions of st
type that the nihilists had forgotten t.
'pi." Kowalsky was sent to a prison
and on the journey the police sen
three empty carriages, with a view 0
1eceiving the people, as an uprisin
vas feared. Kowalsky was sentence
20 be executed, but Urvansky manage
20 afterward escape. Another nihilis
1t the Oregon settlement is Mr.. Ran
inovich, who was arrested at the sam
lime as Kowalsky. He was sent t
Archangel. While there he playe
he role of natural fool, and was a
owed his freedom. provided he woul
report every morning TO the author
lies. He managed to escape in tn
yarb of peasant.
The other prominent nihilists 6
New Odessa are Krmont, Fireman an
Gurvich, all students, and all connec
I'd with some political plot whic
.aused them to leave their countr,
The settlement thus far has prospere
beyond all expectation, and no dissel
zion has occurred to mar the accon
olishment Of its purpose. The colon
IS still engaged in nihilistic project
and is in constant communication wit
Russia. One of the great objects I
The colony is to furnish home
lending money 10 nillilists who mi
hereafter escape from Russia.
Francisco Chronicle.
The Effect OF Culture.
Boston girl to Uncle james, a fla