Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-13
A PlatOnic Republic.

THE SETTLEMENT OF NIHILIsTs IN SOUTHERN
OREGON AND ITS HISTORY.
From the San Francisco Chronicle
Among the foothills of the coast range in the
southern part of Oregon, at q place called Long
dale station, stands settlement of Russian
refugees. Although ostensibly subject to the
laws of Jackson county, yet this community of
exiles is in reality an imperi,tm in in,perio. 1t
seems to be sort of Platonic republic where
property is common and where the greatest
freedom possible to an organized society is
allowed.
Odessa and Kharkof universities left Russia in
separate detachments, with New York as the
meeting place. Arriving there they looked
about for some place OF settlement, and deter
mined on Oregon. Not having money enough,
they again separated, and worked in different
cities of the east until fund had been raised
sufficient to buy the title deeds 10 several thou
sand acres of land. When the property was
purchased they at once started for Oregon and
began the formation OF a colony, to which have
since been added thirty or forty additional nj
hilists. The land was divided into farms. and
each cOlOnst allowed a certain amount OfmOney
to purchase stock and tools.
Soon the settlement thrived until their colony,
which is called New odessa stood on sub
stantial basis. Then rules and regulations were
adopted for the government of the settlers. 1t
was decided that each man should work but six
hours a day, the remainder to be devoted to
listening to lectures on nihilism and the rights
OF man. One large house selected as the
lecture hall. and there the refugees daily listen
of revolution, which they claim will uprise in
Russia as sure as the Volga flows into the 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 library, open to ALL which is composed
mostly of treatiSeS political subjects in the
Russian tongue. The library is gradually in
creased by additions of books and papers from
Geneva and Odessa.
Among the settlers is Ivan Urvansky, who
was connected with the nihilists in Odessa
and who was arrested in 1878. AT that time
there was man in Odessa named kOwalsky,
nihilists. One night while he was engaged in
this work the house was surrounded by gen.
darInes. The nihilists closed the doors and
burned all of the papers and books. When the
officers of the Car broke down the doors a
fight ensued between the two parties, and six
officers were killed. They found evidence
against kOwalsky and his cOnfederateS in the
portions of set type that the nihiistS had for
and on the journey the police sent three empty
carriages. with a view of deceiving the people,
an uprising was feared. kOwalSky was SEN
fenced TO be executed, but Urvansky managed
TO afterward escape. Another nihilist at the
Oregon settlement is Mr.. RamanOvich, who
was arrested at the same time as kowalsky.
He was sent to Archangel. While there he
played the role OF natural fool, and was
allowed his freedom provided he would report
every morning To the authorities. He managed
to escape in the garb of a peasant.
The other prominent nihilists at New Odessa
are krimont, Fireman and Gurvich, all stu
dents, and all connected with some political
plot which caused them to leave their country.
The settlement thus far has prospered beyond
all expectation. and no dissensiOn has occurred
TO mar the accomplishment OF its purpose. the
colony is still engaged in nihilistic projects and
Is in constant communication with Russia. One
home by sending money TO nihiliSts who may
hereafter escape from Russia.