The Delta independent., 1891-02-03
FRA DIAvOLO OUTDONE.
THE EXPLOITS OF A DARING
RUSSIAN BANDIT.
The Deeds and Romapes Of the Dick Tsrpias,
Clsud Duvals and All Their Kind Put Ia
the Shade by Ruasisa
N0blsmsu,

The adventures Of Russian noble-
man named Kroukowski, is brought
out Mt his recent trial In a Grim inal
court fl Poland, read like story OF
Fra Diavolo 9: Dick Turpin in their
palmiest days. The Russian, how
aver outshines all the bandit chiefs OF
history or romance in his experien css.
And what is more. the story is true,
given as the facts were brought out at
the trial.
Being the son of rich parents he
received an excellent education, and
spoke French like a Parisian.' He
spent great deal of his time in Paris
at the commencement OF his career
In 1881 he was living very fast life
in the French capital, and when his
fortune began to slip away from him
he organized band of brigands, the
principal officers of which were his
coachman, his Wallets, and some ten
ants on his own estates. Then he set
out for the Kejof government. and
commenced to take the castles of the
mobiles by storm or strategy. accord
ing to circumst ances. In short time,
after a few skirmishes with the czar's
troops, he found himself and his band
surrounded. and nothing seemed left
for him but death or surrender, The
troops, however, only succeeded in
capturing comparatively small num-
ber of the bri2ands. and their astonish-
ment was great when it WAS discovered
that the chief had escaped. Then
they remembered that feeble and
white-headed man, bent with age,
asking charity Of the officers, was
permitted to pass through their lines
That bogus old beggar was krou-
kowski.
Two years slipped by and nothing
more was heard OF him until sudde emily
he appeared at the head OF another
band of robbers. He came upon the
community like blizzard and his
boldness knew no bounds. AtLoustsk
and Doubno it was shown in the evil
dence that he often used to walk about
the streets and firt 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 a little inn at the outskirts OF the
village OF Kevertsi. The troops were
Immediately called out. The place
was surrounded and all the doors
carefully guarded. Suddenly Rus
sian 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 .he object OF
his visit The handsome officer SEEM
ed surprised at first. and then smiled
at what he appeared to regard as
hoax. Then he requested the young
lieutenant in command to be SO good
as to give letter with which he pre-
sented him in the politest manner
possible, to his friend. the chief OF
police.
The lieutenant took the letter.
promised, to deliver it, and saluted.
When the lieutenant got back to the
village with his men and reported, he
handed the chief of police tho letter
which he had received from his broth.
err officer The latter opened it and
read in French the following:
"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 a prominent
Russian count Tho count paid the
ransom and got back his daughter. but
was soon afterward Mortified to learn
that she was about to become a
mother He then proposed to the out
law to marry his daughter. and
promised that II he did SO and return
ed to an honest life he would do his
utmost to secure his pardon, and would
succeed beyond doubt. But Krou-
kowski replied that he regretted ex-
ceedingly 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 won't 10 work
to discover that interesting young
lady. They found her, and a watch
was placed upon her house, where, at
last. after a desperate fight. Krou-
kowski 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 a charitable robbcr, 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 moujiks. to whom he
really owed his facilities for fooling
the soldiers and the police for 80 long
time. But the court sentenced him
to penal servitude for life, and his APP
peal to the Gear has been unanswered.
He will be sent tn the island of Sakha