The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-12
TALES OF SIBERIA.
Horrors of the Russian Penal
Settlements.
GEORGE REMNANTS ADVENTURES
How He Penetrated the Land Of Exfles-
Trip to kamtschatka for Rus
sian-American Telegraph.

At the Seattle operahouse last night George
KEENAN, lectured on IAN East Siberian Convict
Mine Those who have read Mr.. Remnants in
tcrestng articles in the Century. and those who
have heard of his fame as speaker. were not
disappointed, for while he does not aim at ora
torieAl effect he tells the stories OF convict life
with simplicity and directaess that leave an
ineifacesble impression. Every listener gave
the closest attention for two hours, and had Mr..
KenRan chosen to talk twice as long, all would
have been glad TO stay.
George Kennan is apparently about 40 years
old, slender yet compactiy built, and somewhat
above the average height. His features are clear
cut and full of decision, his complexion dark,
and his heavy moustache and thin hair nearly
black. He seems young for q man who has
passed through such remarkable experiences
Before Mr.. KEENAN, began speaking he was
briefly and happily introduced by Charles +.
Fishbaek, " no referred to the lecturers achieve
ments in drawing the attention of the civilized
world TO the horrors of the Siberian convict sys-
TEN.
The lecture itself was devoted particularly to
the condition of the political prisoners at the
placer mines of Kara. This place is little col
lection OF log butts and log prisons, about loo
miles from the Pacific coast in the vast Siberian
wilderness. Gathered there, 500 miles from
their Russian homes, are a lot OF common erin
inals, burglars, thieves and murderers, who
work the placer mines for the imperial govern
but near il is the prison for political"
and women of the highest education. culture and
refinement condemned to penal servitude on ac-
count of their devotion TO what Americans call
the inaiienaole rights OF man.
With but one companion, Mr.. Frost. an artist.
Mr.. KEENAN, penetrated TO the various penal set
Elements OF Siberia Great difficulties were ex-
perienced in reaching Kara. on account of the
severe weather OF that sub Arctic region, and on
account OF the terrible condition of the roads
Mr.. KEENAN, first succeeded in visiting the log
prison OF the common criminals. The men
sleep at night in what is called s'kamera," q
cell about twenty feet by twenty-five and with
low ceiling. A platform running around three
sides forms bed for twenty five thirty
prisoners. They are provided with no bedding,
and have to wear at night the same clothing as
In the day. In this kainera are only two small
windows with double sashes 50 that not breath
of air can get in. There is no provision what
ever for ventilation, and the air is sickening be-
yond the power OF language to describe. Mr..
Kennan declared that he knew of no air so bad
as that OF the Siberian prisons. The floor of the
kamera is crusted with filth aud the walls, once
whitewashed, covered with red blotches
where the prisoners have killed bedbugs. Into
such pens as these, like the fatal ''black hole
OF Calcutta" men and women accustomed to all
the refnements OF life are placed Disease, in
sanity, suicide and death are Inevitable.
Mr.. KEENAN, describes his secret visits TO the
political prisoners OF the Stree command"
These people have served out their term in the
prisons, but though out on tieket-of-leave
must still remain al the settlement. They live
in the little log huts near BY, and are not al
lowed to communicate with their friends at
home. One member of the free command was
Miss Natalie Amfelt, beautiful young woman.
educated and accomplished, and relative of
Count Leo Tolstoi. Her aged mother had ac-
companied her into exile.
2 AZ atrtt ha mir 10 aT 1eaf Mr
nan left the stage for short time, and reap
peared wearing the Russian convict dress 1t
consisted OF gray felt Tam 0Shanter hat, loose
shirt and drawers OF coarse bagging, a long
gray coat of shoddy felt, and cheap low shoes
The convict wears no underc lothing, and has
hardly enough on him to keep him comfortable
On the back of the overcoat is sewed diamond
of yellow cloth-the badge of servitude. Mr..
KEENAN, also had on the leg letters and heavy
chains which are worn during the long march
OF 5000 miles to the mines. These letters cover
the ankles with sickening testers and running
sores.
The tales which the speaker related were full
| of pathos and suffering. and several times
| drew tears to the eyes of his audience The life
of agony and the release of death in the prisons
were set forth so graphically that every one who
| heard was stirred with deepest indignation
| against the cruelty and injustice of system of
| government under which such outrages are
possible.
| Tonight the subject will be scamp Life in
| Siberia" The materials for this lecture were
gathered in part in the years from 1866 to lo6S,
| when Mr. Kennan was in kamschatka. At
| that time the telegraph line up to Alaska,
| across Boring strait and down the Asiatie coast
| was being constructed. o der settlers here|
| recall when the work was done along Puget
| sound, and the line pushed far north of the
1 British Columbia boundary.
| Mr. KEENAN,, who is at the Rainier hotel with
| his wife and his manager, VIII C. Glass. said to
| PosT-INTELLIGEScER reporter yesterday:
| AZ was with the party that went to
| do the work in KUmschatka. lot of Us were
sent up there, and though We did not actually
| begin the line we had everything in readiness
| when orders were given to stop work. Three or
four ship loads OF material had arrived, and
| tons OF wire, insulators, hardware and all sorts
| OF supplies were on the ground. One of us went
| on directly to st. Petersburg, and l was left TO
| close up affairs in Kamtschatka. That con-
| sisted of paying off the men and sending what
| / could OF the material back 10 San Francisco.
! We had to abandon good deal, and know
| left $4,000 worth of stuff in a lump After two
months make the trip across Siberia to Russia,
| 5000 miles by sled Then il that my at
| tcntion was first called to the convict system.
| "That telegraph line, by the way, to cost
| only 100000, but all of that sum spent
and at least 100000 more would have been