The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-19
HE WAS LET OFF.
Petroff, Alias popoff, Was
Untrutfful.
HIS CAREER IN THIS CITY.
Father Honcharendo Gives Some Facts
Regarding the Ex-Census
Agent.

The iaDominious expulsion OF Ivan Petrotf.
special agent of the Census Bureau, on the
order of the chief OF the department, with the
approval of Secretary of tie Interior Noble,
has excited considerable interest in this CT y
where Petroff lived long time and was
well known among the Russian colony.
The charges against Petroff were Of most
serious nature, and appear to have been SUB
stantlated. judging from the quick and un-
ceremonious dismissal of the offender on the
discovery of his offense. The charge against
Petrcff was the furnishing of false informa-
ton to the State Department on Alaskan
affairs ia the matter OF the Boring Sea
controversy. He had been intrusted with
most delicate and responsible work, re-
curing the strictest accuracy and truth,
for on the information furnished the Gov
eminent OF the United States depended
considerable, as il was incorporated In the
case sent to the court of st. James, form
ing part of the arch upon which the claim
of this Government rested.
There are many others familiar with
PetrOff's methods, habits, history and char
acter who are inclined to believe that he
only ran up against rock WI ich has lain in
his path for long while and against Which
he was bound 10 stumble IN time.
Among the latter is the wel-known Co.'S
sack exile, priest and Republican. Father
Agapius H0neharendo, publisher Of
nihIlistic journal scattered throughout the
world, and founder of the Russian Re
publican Benevolent Society known as
Deeembrist
Honchareudo is well posted on Russian
affairs and knows tile private history of
more Russians in this country than any
other member OF his colony.
A CALL reporter yesterday paid q visit
to the home OF Father Honeharendo. which
is situated on a han which stands in the
shadow of Mount Diablo. about seven
miles from Hsywards. He has resided on
a tract of fifty acres in this lonely spot for
twenty years.
When the reporter asked Father Hon
chaTendo II lie knew Petrol and could fur
nish any information about him, the aged
nihist smiled and said:
~ know it is something bad. What has
he done?"
The visitor informed Honcharendo of the
latest phase Of PetrOff's case and its inglor-
Gus termination.
That does not surprise me-" returned
n 0nchaTeDdo. IL would not speak Of him
If he were one Of US, but he Is not, and has
never been. He Is a neutrality-suspicious.,
unsteady, unreliable. No, be could not be
trusted. Like all Adventures. he turned
with the wind. Unsteady ana shiftlesS he
would always 60 with the side on which
there was money. l am not surprised TO
hear he was bribed with British gold and
falsfed facts like traitor.
''But what could one expect from such
men, said the Russian ex-priest, shrug-
ging his shoulders, but without directing
his question to his bearer, as If he were re-
volying in his mind the past career of
PETROL. Did he not do the same for the
Alaska Fur Company and pull wool over
the eyes of those in Washington about the
number Of seals killed?" he asked his
listener, who did not respond.
WAS he paid for it? brlbed, as they call
United States Senator. Miller, was his friend.
He il was who got him appointed to take the
census of Alaska"
The reporter asked Honcharendo if he
would tell what he knew of PetrUff's life, and
he answered that he would.
$50 begin with, first met Petroff in New
York in 1867. was member of promi-
nent Russian society there then composed of
the best people"
PETROL was not Pstroff then He went
under the name of POpOff. That was his
name when / first met him. Alaska was
then being eeded to the United States.
Fop0fI, or as he Is now known as PetTOff,
1a2 an opportunity to become Russian in
tertreier for General Rousseau, the United
States COMMISSIONER. IN order 10 gel this
however. he had 10 belong to the army. So
lie Joined it under the nameof Popoff. Then
| lost sight Of him, ana came to San Fran
cisco. After the settlement OF the Alaska
purchase be became tired of the little pay Of
a soldier and deserted. He came TO San
Francisco after he deserted, but his name
then was Petrof. That Is why he has
always succeeded in denying that he ever
deserted The army.
"Petroff began his career ia San Fran
cisco under very favorable auspices" con-
tinued Honcharendo. 1.-The Russians at first
took TO him, and he was secured a place in
the residence Of the Russian Bishop on
Greenwich street at that time. The Bishops
name was Nicholas Korviegen, who treated
Petroff with great favor. which was lire
turned.
'Petroff next became a composltor and
worked on various papers. From the print
ing desk he rose 10 the position OF reporter
and writer. During the Russo-Turkish
war he was employed on the Chronicle.
Petroff went to De Young and told him
that the Russian Government would give
him large subsidy If he would print art
cles favoring the Russian cause. Petroff
took large leading editorial bodily from
the New York Herald and palmed IL off as
his own. II was printed, and James Gordon
Bennett threatened TO raise a row, so
PETROL was discharged.
Then he returned to printing. and finally
left that, securing employment with the
Alaska Fur Company. Through its iDtu-
ence he secured the position OF Censns
Agent TO take the census OF Alaska In 1880.
when Governor Swineburne was ap-
pointed Governor of Alaska in 1885 he wrote
ne asking me for information of a reliable
character regarding Alaska"
HoncharendO still keeps this letter and
showed it TO his visitor.
81 gave bin all could and afterward he
incorporated my information in bis report.
lie would not accept Petroff's census as
reliable. The Alaska Fur Company wanted
PetTcff to be Swineburne's private secre-
taTy, but Swineburne had found out that be
was untrusIworthy and unreliable.
The next step OF Pstroff's was to become
connected with Banerofts Bureau, translat-
ing Russian documents. While there his
wife, whom he had deserted, bothered him
by asking for money 10 live on; but he had
none for her, as he always squandered it.
Bancroft told my wife that Petrof was I'M
reiis ble and could not be trusted.
For these and other reasons" said Hon
cbarendo, II am not surprised that Petreff
falsiied facts, for he would jump at any,
thing where there was money"