The record-union., 1891-11-26
SIBERIAN EEILES.
Their Condition Graphically Described
by George kennan.
He Tells How He Outwitted the Rus
sian Ofncers and Learned the Sc
crets of the Prisons.

George Kennan, the lecturer, must have
felt greatly pleased at sight Of the throng
of Sacramentans that assembled at the
Congregational Church last evening to
hear what he had to say concerning his
visit to the Russian prisons in far-otf
Northern Siberia. The church was
crowded TO its utmost capacity; there was
not even standing-room, and many who
desired to hear him were turned away.
1t is estimated that there were fully two
thousand people present, and they were
treated to an exceedingly entertaining
recital of the lecturers travels.
Sparrow Smith, of the Sacramento Lect-
ure Association, introduced Mr.. Kennan,
who, after a few brief Introductory re-
marks, began the story of his hazardous
trip to and through Siberia.
Mr.. Kennan and a companion, a Mr..
Frost, made the journey to the Lower
Diggings after wearisome trip of sew
eral days on horseback over the snow
clad mountains of Northern Russia, the
thermometer ranging during the time
from zero to fifteen degrees below that
point.
THE OBJECT OF THE TRAVELLERS
Was to obtain an insight into the affairs
of the prisons, and particularly to pay
visit to the wards where the political eX-
lies were confined. The speaker said he
realized before starting that his under
dking was to be a risky one, and one
which might result disastrously to him
self, so he first notified the American
Minister at st. Petersburg that he would
telegraph him at intervals, in order to
keep him informed as to his whereabouts.
He took this precaution in case the worst
might come, and he be thrown into prison
Tor violating some Of the rules. Indeed,
he had in his possession correspondence,
maps of the prisons, houses, ETC., which,
had they been discovered, would have
been sufficient cause to justify the Off
Gals in placing him in chains for life.
His purpose was to hire apartments for
himself and his companion where they
might be alone and apart from the prison
officers, but he could not find accommo-
dations, and had to be content with ac-
cepting the hospitality of the commanding
officer of the prison where
THE COMMON PRISONERS
We're confined. His movements were
watched with great deal of curiosity
and mingled suspicion during the first
week of his visit, but he endeavored al
ways to make himself agreeable and as
open as he possibly knew how, so as to
remove all doubts in the minds of the
frankness.
In company with the head official he
visited the prisons, which he said were
reeking with filth and vermin, and ex-
PEELED odors that were not only sitting,
but poisonous.
In rooms twenty feet square and seven
feet high there were, as a general rule, thirty
convicts confined in abject misery. There
was not the slightest ventilation when
the door was closed, and the occupants
were compelled to sleep on sloping hunks
of hard word, without a pillow or sin
gle piece of bed-cOvering. In fact, they
worked and slept in one dress, and the
letters were
NEVER TAKEN FROM THEIR ANKLES.
No underclothing is provided, and all
that is worn is shirt and pants of light
colored and fine fabric, the Tam
O'Shanter hat and the large gray over
coat. a sort of slipper is the only cover
ing for the feet.
Mr. Kennan had a great curiosity to
hold a private conversation with some of
the political prisoners in penal servltude,
but in order to do this he was well aware
of the fact that he would have to do so
secretly and violate the most stringent
regulation of the prison. He had letters
in his possession for several Of the con-
victs of this ward, and resolved to see
them and hear their stories.
of the Captain of this section of the
prison, a very shrewd, cold-hearted
and suspicious officer, who could
be cordial to no one. He un-
bosomed himself SO completely to this
official, however, that he gained his con-
tidence to great extent, and finally sue
ceeded in getting him intoxicated. After
his interview he stole down TO the house
of a young lady prisoner, one of those
who had served out her term, and was by
necessity living out the
REMAINDER OF HER LIFE
In the colony of the free command. He
bewildered her by his presence, and she
was astounded when she learned that he
had escaped detection and was a friend Of
the exiles. Her aged mother was living
with her in the dank and dingy cabin,
and the picture of the old woman, with
her sorrowful face, tear-stained eyes and
sunken cheeks was pitiful one.
The young lady called number of
companion convicts into her house, and
there one evening they crouched around
Mr.. kennan and heard what he had to
say and the news he brought from the
homes of many. Here he learned how
the
OFFICERS HAD LIED TO HIM
Regarding the treatment of the prisoners.
lie found many insane, and almost all in
q wretched condition from exposure and
ill-treatment.
The lecturer graphically described his
visit and the various interviews he had
with the officials, in which each was try
ing to deceive the other. He learned how
thoroughly prisoners were searched
when they were brought to prison. Not
only were they stripped, but their
mouths, ears and teeth were searched.
The Captain informed him that on one
occasion he found piece of deadly poison
IN the hollow of prisoners tooth. Sc
curely fastened in the cavity with wax.
The lecture throughout was highly en-
tertaining, and the audience was well
pleased.
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