Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-24
EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.
How Nihilist Eluded His Guards
by Cutting OF His Thumb.

The recent outrage by the Siberian off
Gals in fogg:ng two women brings to
mind an episode of the daring escape of
Siberian exile at Moscow; as told the
writer by an Englishnlan, apropos of his
residence in that city for some two years.
s'The exile, = said he, was the leader Of
band of nihilists noted for their daring
He had many aliases, but was generally
known as Petroyski. Physically he was
one of the most perfect men | ever saw
He was of dark complexion, stood over
six feet high and was built in proportion
1t seems that he and part of his band had
been captured in connection with some
plot the authorities had unearthed and
had been sentenced to life seIvitude in
the mines of Kara. Knowing only too
well what this meant, the men had be-
come as desperate as Gagged lions by the
time they reached Moscow, and were
willing to take any chances TO effect their
escape
If | remember correctly, there were
about thousand prisoners in this oavsi-
cade, and they were guarded by regi-
ment of st. Petersburg soldiers. Unlike
the other prisoners, Petrovski and his
party were handcuffed to each other.
They were under double guard, as it
was known that they would make an at
tempt to escape should the opportunity
offer. No chance offered, however, until
the day of starting for the mines arrived.
The soldiers who were guarding the party
appeared to be rather under the influence
| of liquor, and were not so vigilant as
fStaI stood 1u tka cfaar, of small
inn within ten feet Of Petrovski and from
the expression of his face knew some
thing was in the wind The officer who
had charge Of this part of the prisoners,
who was noted for his brutality, had
mounted his horse and stood near the
party. The guards had walked off some
distance and were conversing together.
saw Petrovski working at his handcuH.
and then | saw him draw a common din
ner knife from his jacket
'The movement did not attract atten-
tion and he then turned slightly, so that
his back was toward the officer Then
saw that he was going 70 attempt one
of the most desperate escapes ever heard
Of. The man was certainly ampuiating
his thumb with the table knife, so as 10
allow tne nauucuH 70 SIP over DIS manu- 2
He worked at il, never finching, until
the thumb dropped at his feet. The blood
was flowing from the wound in a stream,
but he tied il up with rag after draw
ing the skin over the wound, and had
slipped the handcutf off. IIiscompanion
was aware of his movements, but stood
like a statue. The suppressed excite
ment was suffering from, together with
the daring bravery that Twas witnessing,
almost made me faint. l saw that the
dare devil was as pale as sheet, but
without the slightest sign of fear
He stood for moment irresolute, and
then began a slow side movement toward
the mounted officer. When within a few
feet he turned with the fury Of a tiger
and, Selling the officer, dragged him
from the horse.
Before the guards could recover their
senses he had mounted the horse and
started off at a run down the street. A
fusilade of shot followed him but he
escaped them all His friends aided hin,
and he eventually made his way TO Paris,
where he still lives, with his wife and
family, but minus his right thumb.