The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-09-26
huoSiA'S FRA DIAVOL0.
AN ARISTOcRATIC AND VERY
SLIPPERY BANDIT.
Asked Charity OF the Oniosrs Who Were
After Him and Again sent . Let
ter by Soldiers to tho
Chief OF Police.

For years past man. Kroukowski.
has been In the habit OF carrying on
nocturnal warfare upon the rich mobiles
OF VolhyniA In Russia Being tho
son OF rich parents who lived in
the Podolsk government he received
IN excellent education. When his
fortune began to slip away from him
he organized band OF ybrigands. the
principal officers OF which were his
coachman. his Wallets and some mou-
jiks on his own estates, says the Now
York Sun. Then he set out for the
Eejoff government and commenced to
take the castles OF the mobiles by storm
or strategy. according to circum-
stances In short time, after a few
skirmishes with the cars troops, he
found himself and his band surrounded
and nothing seemed left for him but
death or surrender. The troops. how
ever. only succeeded In capturing a
comparatively small number OF the
brigands, and their establishment was
great when 1t was discovered that the
chief had escaped. Then they remem-
man. bent with age, asking charity OF
the officers. was permitted to pass
through their lines. That bogus old
begger was Kroukowski
Two years slipped by and nothing
more was heard OF him until suddenly
he appeared at the head OF another
band of robbers which he organized
and equipped for service in lGalica,
where his exploits were recommended.
OF course he never remained very
long in one place. and his movements
were singularly rapid. He came upon
a community like u blizzard, and his
boldness knew no bounds. At Loutsk
and Doubno it was shown in the evil
dence that he often used to walk about
the streets and flirt with the ladies;
but every time that the police got
wind of his presence the search for
him proved fruitless. One night, how
ever. the authorities became aware OF
the fact that the celebrated bandit was
In littlo inn at the outskirts of tho
village OF Kevertai. The troops were
Immediately called out The place
was surrounded and all the doors care
fully guarded. Suddenly Russian
officer in full uniform appeared. With
an air OF authority he asked TO see the
officer in command of the troops.
The latter approached him respectfully
and told him the object OF his visit.
The handsome officer seemed surprised
ut first and then smiled at what he APP
peared to regard as hoax. Then he
requested the young lieutenant in COM
mand to be SO good as to give letter.
with which he presented him in the
politest manner possible, to his friend,
the chief OF police.
The lieutenant took the letter.
promised to deliver it, and saluted
The fine looking Russian officer stalk
ed away after having returned the
military salute with which the troops
honored him. When the lieutenant
got back to the village with his men
and reported, he handed the chief Of
police the letter which he had received
from his brother officer. The latter
opened it and read in French the fol-
lowing:
.Kroukowski chief OF brigands.
presents his compliments to the chief
of police"
The unfortunate lieutenant lost his
rank for allowing himself to be duped.
Kroukowski also followed the ex-
ample of his Italian confreres in max
ing prisoners and demanding a high
ransom for them. One OF his prison.
ers was the daughter OF prominent
Russian count. The count paid the
ransom and got back his daughter.
He then proposed to the outlaw to
marry his daughter, and promised
that IL he did 80 and returned to an
honest life he would do his utmost to
secure his pardon. and would succeed
beyond doubt But Kroukowski re-
piled that he regretted exceedingly
that previous engagement put it out
OF his power to comply with the
counts request. He was very much
in love with another lady.
The authorities then went to work
to discover that interesting young
lady. They found her. and watch
was placed upon her house, where, at
last after desperate fight, Kroukow-
ski was captured.
Although his fights and duels were
innumerable. there was no evidence
to prove that he ever committed
a cold-blooded murder. That was
about all that could be said OF him.
except that he was charitable rob-
Der, and his gifts to the poor were
princely. As he earned his money
easily he parted with it lightly, and
he was great favorite with the mou-
jiks to whom he really owed his
facilities for fooling the soldiers and
the police for 80 long a time. But the
court sentenced him to penal servitude
for life. and his appeal to the car has
been unanswered. He will be sent to
the island OF Sakhaline where he will
be chained to some other convict In
the gold mines from which no prison
err has ever yet escaped.