Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-05
RUSSIAN TANATICISM.
HORRIBLE THINGS DONE BY CEN.
TAIN PEASANT aEIiGioNiSTs.

World and Advocated suicide BY StnrvA-
tion--A MA Bund-rhe Jumpers q
Less Harmful sect.
Not al the fanaticism OF Russia eues Into
politicsi and nihiAsHc agitation, IL the state
meuts rsAde u q feoens article in an English
review by y. n Tnkni have q reasonable
fourdatfon in truth.
La the p,ovines Of Perm, heycnd the Kama
twenty years $50. - ays, there was in the
! depths II tbs forests an educated peasant.
khodkine, passionately addicted to reading.
and spendine most Of his time over religious
books, which he expounded In hm own fash.
Ion De soon convinced knaseN that the md
OF the world wa as hand, and persuaded
himself and baud Of followers tina, the onlv
way 10 save their souls was to leave the
world 20 hide m the forest, and to make an
end OF the life Of ignerliny and IN in which
they were involved His f,rst disciples were
his mother, brother, sisser-in-law and uncle
'Anti-Christ is already come" he declared.
land goes 10 and fro in tho earth The end
Of the world is ct hand; let u ny to the
forests. bury ourselves alive. and die Of
hunger and the half insane converts fell
lowed his example, a large congregation
going with him into tho woods, where the
men set out to dig actual catacombs and the
women made grave clothes Three DAYS
were shua consumed, and then all the discs
Pies, dressed In these clothes. three several
times renouneed satan and all his works.
This ceremony over, Khodkine said:
Now that you have renowned satan, you
must die of hunger II you take no nourish.
ment and drink no water for twelve DAYS
you win enter into the kingdom Of heaven.
Bhndiy they set themselves 10 follow his
command. Days Of insoIerable agony fol-
lowed, and at last the tortured women and
children began 10 cry aloud for water.
Touched by the pitiful waiting of the chill
dren, some OF the fanatics knclt TO their chief
and besoasht him for mercy for the little
ones, but he was imsnovable and refused tina
pstition, while the children writhei Ia agony
sucking grass, chewing fern fronds. and
swallowing sand. Two Of the band able 20
endure no longer. alipped away in tho night,
and khodkine, fearful that aid might be
summoned, determined 30 hasten matters
The hour Is come Are you readyr' he
said.
I'VE are ready they exclaimed.
Then, at his command, they began a mas
saere. The children were first killed and thu
bodies Of the victims buried Then the sur
vivors decided to resume the fast. but the two
fugitives having warned the police. about
this time body Of officers was seen approach
ing. The madness Of the fanatics reached ia
height, and, swearing 70 she'd their blood for
Christ, they began an irdiscrin,inase self
slaughter. The women, and then the weakest
Of the men, were killed with hatchcts, until
finally Khcdkinc and three others were tho
sole survivors. They attempted IN escare
into the forest, but were captured and turned
over to Justice.
A few years ago, NJ Tsskni SAYS, the monk
faiare enjoyed great popularity on the banks
of the Volga, ard taught that the sole mode
n salvation for man was voluntary death.
1t is impossible" he said, ito continue 10
live in this world immersed in sin and false
hood. We must seek safety in death; We
must die for Christ Large numbers Of
disciples attached themselves To this proph.t
Of death, and one night cighty-four persons
net In cavern prepared beforehand near
liver. Straw and flag ,ots were at hand. that
hey might fasten death If the police should
interfere. They began 10 fast and pray. but
me woman became sSeptical a. To the efficacy
Z death rs a means 10 salvation, and in the
iarkncss slipped away to a neighboring vii
age, where she gave the alarm to the author
ties. The inhabitants turned out en- masss
nd went toward the river Their coming
vas seen by sentinel Of the fanatics. wig
houted:
"Anti-Christ IN coming. Fly! Let us not
i've ourselves up Living into the hands OF
ur enemies
Tho mad band set fire TO the straw. and ths
easant villagers ei1drsvored to e1tinruisb
he flames. A terrible struggle followed.
he police and the villagers tried 20 snatch
ne victims from the fire; but they defended
wrestling with their would be
iviors, throwing them aside and killing
with hatchex, shouting all the
me, I've die for Christi Many Of them
ere saved in spite of themselves, however.
After these had been tried and convicted.
10 OF ths condemned, Tonshkof, ESCAPED
ON prison, and himself began to propagate
&c religion OF suicide. More than s1ty per-
rs in that same locality decided TO give
lenlseives up 10 voluntary death Wbols
IN hes--fatks:s, mothers and children
ere included ia the number. On a day
red beforehand they met for mutual rnas-
ere in the houss Of one Of their number.
sasant p. entered the house Of MS neizhbor.
- - 80 ."' mo
natics were waiting fer Kim with tbeiJ
ves, and these calmly put their heads or
block, while +. played the part Of eIscu.
,nsr. Tnen he ,xrrt To "a. harm of
her p~asapt woman. hl,ed her .nd D.,
,.,,o,,,e.,, 80. -, .o..-..,.s -, ~
- "i esH'pHoe Anieo 'ns
sas block .n .a1 800 put put -, - e';a
ulself beng subssqusp.ly killed by snosbe,
the band. so TIA: in all ,hir,y.fy. p>r>on.