Telegram-herald., 1891-10-09
GEO. kINNAh'S STORY
He Teils or the Russian Political
Exlles IN Siberia.
THEIR SORROWS AND SuffERIseS
The Horrors OF sae Prison Peas aud the
Mines of kora and iFkoatsk-fsE-
Fibis Punishment Reelected tor
Trivial Oacaeea

t~o hours by his wonderful eloquence,
his beautiful pictures, and his pltlful
story OF tue Political Prisoners OF ST.
IBERIA"
Tie told especially Of his visit TO the
mines u Kara, situated about 1000
miles from 81. Petersburg in lonely
valley IN the eastern siberian wider
ness. After describing the hard journey
To the mines from ifkontsk, accom-
panied by his artist friend. Mr.. Frost.
he almost made his audience see the
settlement, with its hundred or more
shanues clustered around the log prison,
the barracks of the officers. the white
washed hospital, the eonvicts IN their
long gray overcoats, aud the notion
less CosSack guards.
They drove to the governors house
and were obliged 10 accept his hosp
tally, much against their own desire.
They had three objects, in view, viz:
10 see the prisoners At work IN the
mines, to make the acquaintance of n
small body of ticket-of-leave prisoners
who were known as the Free Com
mand," and to visit the political pr. Oh.
MIR. KEENAN, described the convict
prison, which be visited in company
With the Governor. The floors were
wet and shiny, and the mir foul beyond
description. In room TWENTY-FIVE feet
long, twenty feet wide and seven feet
high, were twenty'nine convicts. THIS
room had two windows, heavily grated
and was heated by one brick oven. On
three sides were shelves about six feet
wide, on which the men sleep without
mattress, blanket or pillow. There were
seven such cells IN the prison. No diff
ference Is made at Kara between the
regular convicts and the political pris-
oners, all wear chains and leg-fetters,
the prison clothes, and must take the
PRISON rations.
Their governor host kept such close
watch over them that they coIld no;
get away from him long enough to see
the Free Command" until the sixth
day, when the governor had to go TO
some other place on business. Just as
soon as Mr.. KEENAN, was sure the gov
ernor had left town he went to see the
commander in charge of the political
prisoners, and for several hours the
two gentlemen, Mr.. KEENAN, and the
commander, tried to "pull the wool"
over each others eyes.
The governor represented that the
political prisoners were kindly and
humanely treated; that they had a fine
library and many of the good things of
life. Mr.. kennan represented himself
TO be an innocent traveller, especially
interested in geology, but naturally
anxious to be correctly informed upon
many subjects connected with political
exiles. Then Mr.. KEENAN, became COM
munlcative, and told the captain eve y
minute detail of his life up 10
the time he had left America.
for Russia, how he was writing n series
of papers for the Century, how ne had
become acquainted with the editors of
the Century, what salary he expected
to receive He believes that be sue
ceeded in making the captain think
that he was such a garrulous creature
that he never could keep any kind of q
secret. The captain grew commuulca-
tive, and asked him If he had ever
searched prisoners ears, mouths or de-
cayed teeth. to which Mr.. KEENAN,
truthfully said no. and when the cap
tain told of some of the discoveries he
had made in searching them, Mr.. Ken
nan thought with horror of two china
tea cups, the small hand mirror and the
red featnered buster at that moment
secreted IN his oyercoat, and which he
was taking to some of the Free Conn.,
mand."
On leaving the captains house, he
stopped ut the home of Miss Natalie
Ahnefeldt, young lady of excellent
birth and education, who has been SEN
fenced for life for being in attendance
at a secret meeting of a political party.
A DESCRIPTION of the home of Mee
Ahnefeldt was given, and then Mr..
KEENAN, retired for few minutes, ap-
pearing again in n convict's dress, every
article of which had been worn and
given to him by some educated political
prisoner.
The dress consists of q sort of Tom
O'Shanter grey felt cap, long grey
overcoat of shoddy felt, shirt and
trousers of coarse hagging, and low
shoes that will not last day. The
overcoat serves for mattress and
blanket. On the back is small dia-
mond-shaped yellow patch. The leg
letters are rlvited on, and connected by
chain, the chain is looped up by a
strap to leather belt. The women
wear the same dress. with the exception
of canvass skirt, instead Of the draw
ers. After the 18TH of November, long
| boots are gwen them, which they may
stuff with hay, and sheep skin over.
coat.
Resuming his lecture, Mr.. Kennsn
told of his visit again during the even
ing 10 the house of Miss Ahnefeldt,
where several of the other political
prisoners were gathered. Many gave
him letters to take 10 their friends from
whom they had heard nothing for
years; but the next day when the Gov.
ernor returned she appeared so suspic-
ious II seemed best TO Mr.. herman to
destroy all the letters, 20 cave the
writers from worse punishment, and to
keep himself from probable arrest and
Imprisonment.
\ short history OF the political prison
at Nara followed, and a letter writer
by one OF its victims who SUCCEEDED wa:
read.
Mr.. KEENAN, closed with glowing
description of the attempt by the 30t
eonvlets IN the political PRISON at st.
Petersburg to celebrate the Centennla
Anniversary of Americas Indepcnd-
ence. lodged from spiritual stand
ard, II was ss extraordinary celebrs
ton as that OF Philadelphia on that day
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