Wichita eagle., 1888-12-20
IN A RUSSIAN PRISON.
Horrible Experience OF the Polish Count
NorraikoW.


vas yet ID its infancy when Gen Mouravieff
was appointed governor general Of the prov
inces OF Wilnu, Kovno and Grodno, with alb
soiute power from his royal master, the car,
70 use whatever means his Judgment might
dictate IN stamping out the rebellion. The
instincts Of the man were bloodthirsty in the
extreme, and the tortures and means Of death
he employed were the invention Of q thor
oughly demoralized and brutal nature His
chief delight consisted in the hanging Of STU
dents, as many as fifteen or twenty perish
ing IN this manner every day. Those who
escaped the gaIlows were Transported to
Siberia. 1t Is estimated that 5000 lost their
lives by hanging, while fully IL. 900 found their
way TO Siberia, or at least that number
started on the journey to the far north, but no
one will ever know how many reached their
destination alive. A most brutal incident
is related Of Gen Mouravief, which shows
how misplaced was the cars confidence
His adjutant one afternoon presented him
with a list Of the students about to be hanged.
and Mouravief, with cruel laugh, ordered
that forty-dve be executed during the prog
ress OF his dinner, saying that the knowledge
OF their suferings would increase MS appe-
tite.
I will here describe the dungeon life Of
Count ", with his prison title Of No
1857, and can do best in his own words.
On entering the cell was politely ordered
by the chief to remove my clothing. While
disrobing the thought flashed across my
mind that possibly they intended putting me
TO death l had frequently heard strange
stories Of people, once inside the citadel gate,
never being heard of again. so turning to the
waiting chief told him hoped he would
perform his mission as speedily az possible,
especially IL it was q death dealing one, as
suspense would be agony. NO, SIR" he re-
piled, I'VE are not here for any such purpose;
it is our custom TO closely examine all prison
ers on their arrival, and tie law permits no
exception In your case" The chief assured me
that after undergoing thorough exarnina-
ton they would be returned to me, with the
exception OF any money or valuablas might
have IN my possession; these would be retained
Tor safe keeping which meant that that was
the last | should see Of them. The heavy
door was thrice locked, and l, shivering with
cold, was left alone in the gloom ny cell
covered the enormous space Of seven by four
feet. An old bedstead on which some straw
had been thrown, one small pillow, a sheet
much ID need Of washing and two old ragged
blankets constituted my bed furnishing; the
only other article IN the room was a small
wooden table. j small round opening for
window heavily barred admitted no sun
shine. My clothing was returned to me next
morning, but Of my other possessions heard
10 more. l passed a miserable night. with
no other covering than the filthy bedding.
l frequently heard most heartrending
groans, which would move the stoutest
heart to compassion, sometimes followed
by piercing screams, probably some refrac-
tory prisoner receiving chastisement; for
knout and whip were no strangers But |
realized had an existence and must at least
eat to sustain IT, Three-quarters Of pound Of
the blacklist rye bread, in addition TO a por-
ton q soup IN which quantities Of oil were
floating, were placed before me. 1t was with
difficulty that managed TO consume small
quantity. | was quite sure the Princess
W was doing al IN her power to obtain
my release but only twice had succeeded in
getting word directly from her | had been
IN my prison six months, and was almost sick
with despair, when one day on being placed
ii an adjoining cell, while my own was being
cleaned, l closely scanned the walls tall
prisoners do sol II the hope OF finding some
link between the outer world and myself,
when to my great Joy l found q small piece
Of paper attached to pencil sticking out OF
an aperture in the wall. On the paper was
written: WHO are You, 12,957l Keep up
your spirits Do not lose heart. Have you any
money, and what do you most requireF |
wrote on the paper: Il want to smoke, and
something to read" The next day cigar
cites and newspapers were surreptitiously
thrust III my cell It must have occurred
during my time OF exercise. None can IN
derstand the JOY | experienced ON receiving
those precious articles After this | &C.
casionauy received cigarettes and papers
Time passed on, and nearly nine months haG
come and gone when | received the intelli.
gence that the princess was likely to succeed
IN her efforts, either for my liberation, or
transportation to one Of the provinces not
very far from the capital. Eleven months
passed and still no further tidinss from my
friends. began TO fear that either death or
Siberia was 10 be my portion, when note
was banded NE begging that be patient yet
q little longer, as friends were doing all in
their power. After this, through the in
strumeutahty Of some unknown agency, my
life was made little more endurable. l was
supplied with better food, allowed a longer
time for exercise, and treated more leniently
by my captors. The governor OF the prison
showed me every consideration, ard life
passed more pleasantly until the order ar
rived for my transportation TO Siberia.
Such is Mr.. Ms relation Of his prison ex-
perience. So much has been said IN regard
TO the horrors of prison and by such eminent
authority that it IS not necessary to here
repeat many OF the narrowing details.
The COUNTESS NoERAIKow