Sharp County record., 1888-02-02
OFF TO SIBERIA.
Cut OF Forever From Wife, Family
and Friends
Lifelong Sufferings of the Cars Subj cots
Who Are Doomed to Exile-Escapo
Impossible, and Its Attempt
Means Death.

Exile IN Siberia has ceased to have
many of the horrors il once possessed,
for the reason that the family and
friendly ties in Russia are not what
they are in most countries, and the
people who commit otfenses against
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 will
not accompany the exile; and since a
Siberian exile is legally dead and his
wife is instantly allowed 10 rcmarry,
the lot is very hard one.
Usually when q suspect is placed on
examination or trial and is permitted
to make defense he employs his at
torney under contract like this: If
sentenced to Siberia the fee shall be
1000 roubles; if only years impris-
onment, 5000 roubles; if acquitted,
10, 600 roubles. The trial is then con-
Quoted under the principles of the
Russian proverb, THE cause is de-
cided when the court receives q
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 y prisoner suspected of crime
against the Crown is acquitted.
Since Russia is many times y longes
expanse of country than the United
States, and Siberia is in its northern ex-
tremty, the trip of the exile is
tedious one. The time required is
from six to 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
than others. From the moment of
sentence the subject is under the care of
officers. Exies are modified at Mos
cow, and have few days in which to
close up their affairs, say their fare
wells, and prepare for the journey.
1t is not often that an exile knows
TO which part of the immense expanse
of territory known as Siberia he is
destined till he arrives, and inasmuch
us he is cut off from communication
with family or friends, he is like one
who drops into chasm on Mount
Blame 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 q
drop of water that disappears in the
ocean.
The exile who can afford to do So
and there are many persons of wealth |
and influence who thus meet Imperial |
contempt-equips his own private
caravan, has livelied or special
guards, passes through the villages on
the way, faring sumptuously for he
has certain time in which to report
10 his off Ger, and makes Of a usually
sad journey one not altogether devoid
of pleasure. The poor man or
woman, however, is chained to
the string of convlcts, loaded
into rickety vehicles at the end
of the rail or water trip,
and lumbers along like funeral pro-
ccssion, 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-
ricted 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 cxiles are
required to work in the mines. This
is not true. OAlY portion are sem
fenced 10 the mines-!hose who are
CONDEMNED TO hard labor Exile in
Siberia means, as general rule, only |
inforced life in certian eXpanse of
country The government allows a
pension to the exiles sufficient to |
scantily clothe and feed them. The
allowance is about six roublcs n
month. or less than So. 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 wild country, surrounded by wild