Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-21

| S1aS Ill Ills very
Great Grief.
| st. Petersburg Letter in the New York
| Tribune: It is fortunate that Alexander
| III. is a man of herculean build, and of a
mind almost as powerful as his physique.
| Otherwise he would end by being crushed
under the accumulation of SORROWS which
| have cast their shadows over his reign
| and have blighted his whole life. Slight
| ed by both father and mother, who for
some reason loved him far less than any
of their other children, his infancy ana
| youth were exceedingly sad. He became
still more distasteful to his parents after
the death of his elder brother, who ex-
pired at Nice on the eve of his marriag e
from the effects of malady due to an
unintentional blow inflicted by the pres
ent car in the course of some rough
horse play. A man of uncompromising
honesty, he made no effort to hide his in
dignacion at the immortality and corrup-
| ton that were rife both among the i'm
perial family and at court here during
the closing years of the last reign. He
was thoroughly out of touch with the
| E6glmS WnlCn GnSD pICfdllOO. 1nC O1o-
graceful neglect TO which his mother was
subjected, and which ultimately led to
her death, created a deep impression on
his mind, Notwithstanding all her cold
ness toward him; and when, few weeks
after her demise, her husband actually
went so far as to contract morganatic
alliance with his mistress, the Princess
Jurieffsky, the relations between father
| nd a. hon
The tragedy which brought Alexander
III. to the throne eight years ago has
been followed since then by repeated at
tempts to assassinate both himself end
those most dear to him, and though the
| efforts of the would be murd5rers have
in each case been frustrated, the constant
| peril and the freq uently well founded dis
trust of those with whom he is brought
into contact have had a saddening effect
on his character and appearance.
The erowniag sorrow of his life mas,
| however, just come upon him. His wife
| to whom he was passionately devoted,
| and who is the most gracious and capti-
waiting woman that has ever adorned a
European throne, has become entirely
| insane. Her nervous system has already
been com pletely shattered by the repeat
ed attempts upon her husbands life and
since the terrible railroad accident at
Rorki a few months ago, when go many
of her favorite attendants lost their lives,
her mental depression has increased to
an alarming degree. She passes whole
days III absolute silence; on other oc-
oasions she refuses 10 touch morsel of
food, while at times she even fails to rec
ognlze the members of her family. Her
dementia has assumedthe same aggravat-
ed character as that which two years ago
necessitated the detention of her males
TVS younger sister, the Princess Thyra,
in private asylum near Vienna for the
space of eight months. The exrems
gravity of the czarina's case can best be
estimated by the fact that at the request
of the emperor and of his physicians,
DR.. Charcot, the famous Partisan mad
doctor, and Prof. Won Ieidesdort, the
director of the famous lunatic asylum at
Dcbling, near Vienna, who had charge of
the duchess of Clmberland's case, have
both arrived in the city en- route to
Gatschipa. Serious fears are entertained
that the empress may attempt to des-
troy herself and she is watched day and
night without intermission by the physi
clans and trained nurses. Her recovery
is extremely doubtful for as long as her
husband remains on the throne the
danger of his assassination will subsist;
and hence she will never be able to en-
Joy any permanent relief from the horri
BILE anxiety in her brain.
Poor little Marie Fedorvna was the
brightest prettiest and most charming of
the clever old Queen Louise IF Denmark's
daughters. On the morning OF her de-
parture from her fathers palace at
Frederickborg 20 become the bride of
Alexander, she drew a diamond ring
from her finger and scratched Oh the
window of her little boudour: "Mit
elskede Fredersborg, farwell. Ny be-
loved Fredensb org, farewell. There
were many at the time who made gloomy
predictions concerning the marriage.
It must be admitted however, that she
benefitted by the change for the present
czar is far more noble and sterling
character than his eldest brother ever
was though perhaps less handsome and
refined looking. No breath of scandal
has ever clouded their marital relations
and it is impossible to find anywhere
more affectionate and devoted couple
than the emperor and empress of Russia.
painful feature of the present state
of affairs is the complete isolation of
Alexander III. in his great grief. There
is al utter absence of sympathy on the
part of his cousins, his uncles, and even
his brothers. Indeed, for several months
past his relations with the Grand Dukes
Alexis and Vladimir have been decidedly
strained, and he makes no pretense of
copcealing his sentiments toward them.
He thoroughly disapproved of their con-
| duct during their recent visit to Paris,
and of the people with whom they associat-
| ed while there. What, however, particular
| " offended him was their failure to re-
| turn to Russia on hearing the horrible
| railway disaster at Borki. The catas-
| trophe had been so terrible, and the de-
| struotion of the emperor, the empress,
and their children So narrowly averted,
that it was only natural to suppose that
| the cars brothers would hasten to his
side for the purpose of copgratulsting
| him on his provideEtia escape. They,
| however, preferred 10 remain at Paris,
and noue of the cars relatives were
present here at st. Petersburg to take
part ia the unparalleled display of loyal
enthusiasm which attended the popular
welcome home of the imperial party after
| the accident.
| 1t is needless to state that their strange
| absence on so memorable an occasion
gave rise to much comment ana called
forth pointed and upmistakable token
of displeasure on the part of the sover-
| eign. During their stay at Paris the
| grand dukes had been most hos pirably
entertained by Senator Polovtsov, who
possesses a magnificent chateau ana park
in the neis hborhood of Versailles. Be-
sides being millionaire, NJ. POlovtsov