The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-04

ODESSA, Jan, 2.-Cieperal BarapolS,
who recently died at Tashkend, is gen
orally believed to have been poisoned
to prevent administrative reforms
which no was aboutto introduce in Tur.
kestau,
He had been deputOd from a high
quarIerto investigate and report upon
the conduct Of the Grand Duke Nicholas
Copstaptipoyich, the Cars cousin, who
has lived in exile in Central Asia since
tho painful drama which twenty years
ago brought about the disgrace OF the
Prince.
The grand dukes manner otllylng in
the remote Central Asian city is de-
scribed rs strange beyond measure, so
extraordinary, indeed, that many people
supposehim to be either demented or
addicted to habits OF intemperance.
His tyranny to those about him is ex-
cesglve, and all his people tremble at
their masters approach,
Lately the grand duke has had a
magnificent palace built at Tashkend,
but he lives in an old and dilapidated
building with his wife, a person whom
he married in a fit OF eccentriclty, and
whom he constantly beats.
More than once It has happened that
the prince, TO punish plewho have
offended him, has had them buried up
to their necka in the sand, while their
heads were left exposed to tho sun. Not
long ago a doctor who was subjected to
this treatment suffered 80 terribly that
he went out Of his mind. The GEAR la
supposed to have ordered an investiga-
ton OF the acts of the august exile by
General Baranok, who has just died Of
poison.
THE GRAND DUKES RECORD.
The Grand Duke Nicholas ConstaR-
tinoyitch is a son of tho Grand Duke
Constantine, brother Of the late Gear.
He is consequently cousin of Alexan-
der Ill, and was born In 1881.
This scion OF IN imperial house has
been constant disgrace to his family.
His most famous or infamous exploit,
was the stealing OF his mothers
diamonds in 1874, to present to the
notorious Mrs. Blackford. This woman
was the daughter OF we'll known
Presbyterian clergyman, Rev. Mr. Ely
Of Philadelphia. Before she left this
country her career had been one Of
continual proiligacy for dozen or more
years, during which time she had been
1tt,in r1o.nta,J hos Hsok k0oho1d ,t,,tor,
suddenlyin Parkersburg, w. Va, and
her second, young New Yorker, hav.
ing married her in Paris and atterward
separated from her.
Tho Grand Duke frequently beat Mrs.
Blackboard, and one night during the
time that the Prince OF Wales was stay
ing in st. Petersburg in January, 1874,
the &c. D." in a fit OF jealousy black.
ened her eyes and bruised her from
head 10 heel. Mr.. Blackford, holding
an American passport, claimed the
protection OF the United States minist-
err, Mr.. Jewell, which would have been
afforded her had she not at the last
moment decided upon keeping quiet,
However, the diamond robbery, 10
which she presently melted her royal
lover, brought affairs 10 u crisis. Tho
Gear banished his disgraced nephew to
the Caucasus.
He had barely got through the trou.
Bile before he incurred fresh disgrace by
secretly marrying the daughter of the
chief Of police OF 0renhurg, Thebeaa-
tiful daughter Of the 0renburg chief
travelled 10 st. Petersburg, managed 10
get an interview with the car and en-.
treated him to give his sanction to tho
marriage OF his nephew Tho imperial
kinsman could not openly yield, but DO.
lore the young lady departed for her
home he created her Countess Of .Oren.
burg. This was taken as proof that
her appeal had made a favorable i'm
preston upon him. and when he died
the grand duke was tempted to ask
Alexander Ill. to let him Yeturn to tho
capital. The request was refused.
After this the grand duke was al
lowed to return to ST. Petersburg socl-
city aud imperial favor. He took q
prominent part in tho Russo'Turkish
war and received several distinguished
marks OF honor from the czar. Soon
after the latter was assassinRted hc
again fell into disgrace. and on April 5,
1881, was sentenced to imprisonment
for life and confined for some time in
tho fortresstot Dunaborg. Six months
later his sentence was committed to
Punishment to Turkestan, where he has
since been compelled tolive. Later in
the same year-1SS3-h attempted to
secure freedom from restraint by oscap.
Ing TO British India. Ho had already
mounted for this escape when he was
overtaken and brought back.