Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-01-19
OFF TO SIBERIA.
Cut OF Forever From Wife, Family
and Friends.
Lifelong SuFcrings of the Cars Subject
Who Are Doomed to Exi;e-Escape
Impossible, and It's Attempt
Means Death.

IieaDS Stcatn.
Exile IN Siberia has ceased TO hav,
many q the hoIr ors il once possessed
for the reason that the family ant
friendly Ties in Russia are not wha
they are in most countries, and tn,
people who commit offenses agains
the Crown are more desperate and de
termined than they used to be. Still
there are many patriots with families
who prefer death TO life exile in Siberia
for in many instances the family vii
not nc company the exile; and since :
Siberian exile is legally dead and hi,
wife is instantly allowed 10 remarry,
the lot is Il very hard one.
Usually when a suspect is placed or
examination or trial and is permitted
to make a defense he employs his at.
.orney under a contract like this: ii
sentenced 10 Siberia the fee shall be
1000 roubles; if only years impris-
"nmcnt, >. 900 roubles; if acquitted,
10000 roubles. The trial is then con-
Quoted uEder the principles of the
Russian proverb. The cause is de.
.cidcd when the court receives =
present" Thus the success of the
lawyer depends upon his ability in
pleasing the judges taste in present
giving. 1t is not once in twenty times
that q prisoner suspected of crime
against the Crown is acquitted.
Since Russia is many times longer
cxpanse of country than the United
States, and Siberia is in its northern ex-
tremIty. the trip of the exile is Il
tedious one. The time required is
from six 10 twelve weeks. Exiles may
choose their own mode of emigration
if they have money with which to
meet their expenses, and hence some
arrive at their destination much sooner
shan others. From the moment of
sentence the subject is under the care of
'tllcers. Eyiles are modified ut Mos
COW, and have a few days in which to
clos. up their affairs, say their fare
wells. and prepare for the journey.
1t is not often that an exile knows
10 which part of the immense cXpanse
of territory known rs Siberia he is
destined till he arrives. and inasmuch
AS he is cut off from communication
with family or friends. he is like one
who drops into chasm on Mount
Blanc or Jungfrau when he departs
for Siberia. 1t is probably well that
he is thus legally dissolved from his
wife. and the wife, if exiled. can no
longer claim the husband, for he or
she is absorbed by the country like a
drop of water that disappears in the
ocean.
The exile who can afford to do So
and there are many pers ons of wealth
and influence who thus meet Imperial
-contempt-equips his own private
caravan, has livcried or special
guards passes through the villages on
the way. faring sumptuously. for he
has n certain time in which to report
TO his officer. and makes Of usually
sad journey one not altogether devoid
of pleasure. The POOR man OF
woman, however. is chained to
the string of cOnvlcts, loaded
into rickety vehicles at the end
of the rail or water trip,
and numbers along like funeral pro-
cession, going around settlements,
and seldom being allowed to stop.
Their fare is salt meat or fish. black
bread and tea. Patriots. conspirators.
thieves, murderers and persons con-
victed of every crime are linked to-
gether, travel on the same level. fare
alike. sing the same songs if they do
not have the same thoughts. and oc-
-cupy the same country for life
1t is generally believed. outside OF
Rus sia. that all Siberian cxiies are
required TO work in the mines. This
is not true. Only 4 portion are sem
fenced 10 the mines-ihose who are
condemned 10 hard labor. Exile in
Siberia means, rs a general rule. only
lnforced life in 4 certain cXpanse of
country. The government allows a
pension to the eNileS sufficient to
scantily c,othe and feed them. The
allowance is about six roubles
month. or less than S.. This will
procure place to sleep and coarse
food. Once here, it is next to impos-
'sible to escape. The exile in the
first place is landed in the heart
of a wild country, surrounded by wild
animals. little or no civilization. and
it is out Of the question to think of es-
cape. even though the exile is provided
with food and raiment for The long
journey.
Once in Siberia the exile is the Same
as in Jail, with the exception that he
has the open air and plenty of room in
which to move. Inasmuch rs no fire.
arms. excepting those in the possess
sion of the officers. are allowed in the
country. and the colonies are kept
small. it is not now possible for a sue
cessful uprising. Ii tho exiles were
permitted to comlningle freely, get to-
gcther and had an opportunity to Or