The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-21

Rome, Berlin, ana otnef centres OF culture
and pleasure. At about the age Of 80. when
he returned home. his fortune was exhaust
ed, his estates mortgaged and sold, save
one farm in Volhynia. He could live re-
Specially if he Withdrew to that farm, but
unfortunately he had never learned to work
or to restrict himself in his enjoyments.
He had always had great admiration fol-
the lawless and unrestrained life Of high
wayman; his favorite reading consisting OF
books describing the daring deeds Of the
knights Of the middle ages and Of heroes
like Rinaldo Rinaldini. One Of his college
comrades testified that, while he was yet a
youth, Krukovsky knew no greater pleasure
than to dress himself like q bandit, and
mounting swift horse. ride out in the
country and brighten the farmers out OF
their wits. He possessed great mimic tai
ents, and could disguise himself beyond
recognition in whatever form he chose. He
friends by appearing as an officer of the
army. as an old farmer. as peddling Greek
or 40 trading Jew. His voice and facial
expressions were 30 we'll adapted to the role
he chose to assume that none of them knew
him until he threw off his disguise.
When, on his return to Russia he found
himself ruined man he organized small
band of robbers of his two favorite foot
men and one laborer. The first operations
were made in the government of Kiev,
where wealthy rural gentlemen and trav-
elers became the prey Of Krukovsky and his
small band. He made it rule for his fol-
lowers never to shed blood unless in self
defense in struggle for liberty, and never
to rob traveller OF more than half of the
ready money he had on his person. few
weeks after his first sally his band was cap
ant. Nothing was heard Of Krnkovsky for the
next two years. All at once the wealthy
landowners OF the districts Of LUX, Du-
bensk and Vladimir Volhynsk. received let
tiers in which they were politely requested
to deposit certain sums OF money at places
minutely designated. and they. were told
that if they refused they would be severely
punished. The letters were signed by Kruk-
ovsky. The name Of the hiGhwayman was
sufficiently known by that time. and most
Of the landowners resignedly satisfied
ters, and one sent notice to the police au-
thorities. In q few weeks the five lost
their shops and granaries by by fire, and
the manor of the other was DESTROYED. 40
that he and his family barely escaped with
their lives.
This deed sent terror through the whole
region, and Krukovsky was 80 emboldened
that he oftentimes appeared in the small
towns without disguise. He was now the
chieftain of large band Of robbers which
he had organized in Gali0a, and he made
the highways of Volhynia and adjacent re-
by the ladies for his personal beauty, as
we'll as for the courteous and obliging man
ner in which he treated them, Only one
lady. 10 known whom he treated rudely,
She 10 an elderly widow, possessing large
estates in the district Of Berestetchka.
driving out to call on q friend. He retained
her in the forest and sent her footman 70
demand of her relatives q ransom of 300
ruhles. The relatives informed the police
authorities. A watch was placed at the
spot where the money was to be deposited,
For six weeks nothing VA he1rd
Of the captured woman. Then her
eldest son, whose property is ada
cent to that Of his mother, received nrom
her letter which bore an Austrian postage
stamp. She wrote that she was kept lin a
Immediately to certain place, she was
doomed to death by starvation. This time
the demand was properly compiled with.
The poor woman reached home in such
condition that her people hardly knew her.
She said that K1ukovsky and his men had
treated her very oourteously the first two
days abe had been among them, but after
ward they compelled her to make long
marches through the forests, and to ileen
on the bare ground or in missrable doQ
kennels. and gave her only bread and
benefactor. Peasants, Who Lost their
property By fre, or were unable to work On
account of sickness, received liberal snr..
port from him. He once heard that \ M.
bleman In the district OF Etrokhov va
deeply IN debt and that all his property
To convince himself Of the true state Of 81
fairs of the poor man and to find ont the
names and addresses Of his creditors, Kru-
kovsky knocked ct his door one evening in
the guise OF commission merchant and
for the night. He was kindly treated. and
in conversation with his host he learned All
that he wished to know. Three days later
the nobleman received all his outstanding
notes, cancelled. together with visiting
card from the hlRhwayman, upon which was
whom you accorded Hospitality while YOU
we're In trouble"
He once spent several days in succession
in the city Of Dubno, changing his 0uise
and iodginRs every day, but the chief Of
police got information Of his whereabouts,
and repaired TO his inn with q body Of Cos
building and in the corridor, and the ON
Ger. with two Of his man, began searchino
the place. While the search was bejn9
made an army odicer Of high rank appeared
in the corridor. The soldiers presented
armA The army ofacer passed By them
with the usual military courtesies, and
ordered the soldier at the door to hail .
cab for him. The order vas promptlv
obeyed. and the military ofRoer drove
on. Then the chief OF police
came out Of the place disappointed man;
b bad searched the establishmant from
garnet 70 callax. and found no trace Of
Krukovsky. A few hours later 10 received
note from the hiehvsyman, in which he
va highly compliment upon the sxosllsnt
mllsafy training Of his men. The army
The Volhynisn Kinaldo often meddled
With other peoples husinso. He was once
informed that the daughter Of . vealthv
noblsman Wa required 81 hsr parents 70
marry man she did not love. On the dav
the marriage was to take place Krukoveky
with his band intercepted The eroom's
party, and kidnapped the groom. 4 large
rsvard vas o6esed for ~ Fobber's capture.
Detanhmsnts Of Cosaek's sooursd o. for
- the hiRhvayA and bvvaya, but no
ease q - ose eroea q hi eaptnn eoeld