Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-07
IN A RUSSIAN PRISON.



Horrible Experience Of the Polish Count
Norrzikev.
Especial Cor-spoodencel
NKw YORK Dec THE Polish rebellion
was yet IN It's infancy WHEN Gen AoGravie6
was appointed governor general Of the prov
incss Of Wilma. Koyno and Grodno, with alb
solure power from bis royal HlasSG, the car,
to use whatever means his rad n8eut might
dictate in stamping out the rebellion. The
instincts Of thu man were bloosithirsty in the
extreme and the tortures and means Of death
a. employed were the invention Of 4 thor
gughly dsmoralized and brutal nature. Ills
chief delight CONSISTED in the hanging Of stu
dents. a. many as fifteen or twenty perish
ing IN this manner every day- Those who
ESCAPED toe gallo1s were transported 10
Siberia l. IS estimated that 8, 900 lost their
lives by banging while fully l.. 90 found their
way to Siberia, or at least that number
started on the Journey to the far north, but 20
one will ever know how many reached their
destination alive. A most brutal Incident
IS re ated Of Gen. Mourayief, which shows
hos misplaced was the cars confidence
His adjurant one afternoon presented him
with 1 list Of the students about 10 be hanged,
and Mouravisf with a cruel laugh, ordered
that forty five be executed during the prog
ress Of hi- dinner saying that the knowledge
OF their sufferings would increase his sppe-
tite.
will here describe the dungeon life Of
Count N, with his prison title Of Ma
I2, 957, and can do best in his own words.
On entering the cell | was politely ordered
10y the chief to remove my clothing. While
disrobing the thought flashed across my
mind that possibly they intended putting me
TO death. | 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 possible,
especially If 1t was a death dealing one, as
suspense would be agony. mo, SIR he re-
piled, I'VE are not here for any such purpose;
1t is our custom 10 closely examine all prison.
ers on their arrival, ami the law permits no
exception in YOUR case" The chief assured me
that after undergoing a thorough examina-
ton they would be returned to me. with the
exception of any money or valuables might
have in my possession these would be retained
for safe keeping which meant that that was
the last | should see of them. The heavy
door was thrice locked and l. shiverIag 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 in need Of washing and two old ragged
blankets constituted my bed furnishing; the
only other article in the room was small
wooden table. A small round opening for
a window heavily barred admitted no sun
shine. Ny clothing was returned to me next
morning, but of my other possessions heard
no more. passed a miserable night, with
no other covering than the filthy bedding.
| frequently heard most heartrending
groans, which would move the stoutest
heart TO compassion, sometimes followed
by piercing screams, probably some refrac-
tory prisoner receiving chastsement for
knout and whip were no strangers. But l
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 Of soup in which quantities of oil were
floating, were placed before me. It was with
difficulty that | managed to consume a small
quantity. | was quite sure the Princess
W was doing all in her power to obtain
my release, but only twice had succeeded in
getting word directly from her. had been
in my prison six onths, ami was almost sick
with despair. when one day on being placed
in an adjoining cell, while my own was being
cleaned, | closely scanned the walls Iall
prisoners do so in tho hope of finding some
link between the outer world and myself,
when to my great joy found small piece
OF paper attached to pencil sticking out of
al aperture IN the wall On the paper was
written: Who are you, l2951i Keep up
your spirits. Do not lose heart Have You any
money and what do you most requrer |
wrote on the paper; II want to smoke, and
something to read The next day cigar
cites and newspapers We're surrepttiously
thrust in my cell 1t must have occurred
during my time Of exercise. None can I'M
derstand the joy experienced on receiving
those precious articles After this &C
casionallv received cigarettes and papers
Time passed on, aud nearly nine months lad
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 tidings from my
friends began to fear that either death or
Siberia was to he my portion when a note
was handed mo begging that be patient yet
a little longer. as friends were doing all in
their power. After this through the in
strumentality Of some unknown agency, my
life was made little more endurable | 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, and life
passed moro pleasantly until the order ar
rived for my transportation to Siberia.
Such is Mr.. Us relation Of his prison ex-
perlence. 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 NoRaAIKow