Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-06-10
NIHILISTS IN OREGON.
A Strange Settlement on the
Pacific Coast.
Refugees from Russia Who have Estab.
lished Republic of Their Own

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 a settlement of Russian refu-
gees. Although ostensibly subject
to the laws Of Jackson county, yet
this community Of eXiles is in reality
an imperium ia 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 the
east until a fund had been raised suf-
ficient 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 u colony, to which have
since been added thirty or forty addi-
tional nihlists. 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 a 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 4 day, the remain
Ter 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
he 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
;wenty women in the settlement. The
colony is in the possession of a largeli-
orary, open to all, which is composed
mostly of treatses on political subjects
n the Russian tongue. The library
Is gradually increased by additions of
books and papers from Geneva and
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 a
nan in Odessa named Kowalsky, who
published the books and pamphlets of
The nihilists. One night while he was
engaged in this work the house was
surrounded by gendarmes. The nihi-
lists closed the doors and burned all of
ihe papers and books. When the Off
,ers of the Gar broke down the doors
flight ensued between the two parties
and six officers were killed. They
found evidence against Kowalsky and
ais confederates in the portions of set
type that the nihilists had forgotten to
'pi." Kowalsky was sent to a prison,
and on the journey the police sent
ihree empty carriages, with view Of
1eceiving the people, as an uprising
vas feared. Kowalsky was sentenced
70 be executed, but Urvansky managed
20 afterward escape. Another nihilist
At tho Oregon settlement is Mr.. Ram
inovich, who was arrested at the same
ime as Kowalsky. He was sent to
Archangel While there he played
The role of natural fool, and was al.
owed his freedom, provided he would
report every morning to the authori-
lies. He managed to escape in the
yarb of a peasant.
The other prominent nihilists at
New Odessa are Krimont, Fireman and
Gurvich, all students, and all connect
I'D with some political plot which
caused them to leave their country
The settlement thus far has prospered
beyond all expectation, and no dissen.
sion has occurred to mar the accom-
plishment of its purpose. The colony
Is still engaged in nihlistic projects,
and is in constant communication with
Russia. One of the great objects Of
the colony is to furnish home by
,ending money to nihilists who may
hereafter escape from Russia. Sab
Francisco Chronicle.