The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-22
CHIEF CROWLEY'S LECTURE.
Five of Them Intend to Become
American Citizens.
WHAT THEIR GRIMES WERE.
After Being Clothed a l'Americaine
Some of Them Will Probably
AdOrn a Museum.

immigration Commissioner Stradley re-
ceived instructions from the Federal au-
tilorities in Washington, d. G., yesterday to
release the ten Russian escapes who were
found In small boat in the open sea off
their prison in Saghalien Island six weeks
ago by J. a. M. Earle. master of the whal-
ing bark Charles w. Morgan and brought
to this port.
Commissioner Stradley proceeded to the
City Prison and having showed his Gre
dentials the ten Russians were marshaled
into the outer Office of the Chief of Police,
for they were not to be allowed to 60
without word from the local authorities.
Quite a little scene ensued. Chief of
Police Crowley had determined to i'm
prove the occasion, and about 2 p. NJ. be
appeared and before Commissioner STad-
ley and other officials delivered TO the
escapes ranged up against the wall long
address.
He told them that they were going to be
released and had their future in their own
hands. The American people were quiet
aud peace-lOv!ng by nature. but IL aroused
bv outrage were won't to become eX-
tremelv aggressive. Much trouble had
been occasioned to local government
through anarchists and members Of secret
societies of Russian origin. He was not
aware that his auditors were anarchists or
mem bers of secret societies. but he warned
them against contracting any alliance with
such associations His warning did not
apply to purely benevolent societies, but TO
societies organized for deviltIy." 1t the
men would become quiet, peaceable cti-
zens. as were many Russians in the United
States, they would not be interfered with.
The Chiefs remarks were interpreted by
). G0berman, and were received with
many protestatiOns of gratitude and
promises of avoidance of secret societies.
They said they would treasure the Chiefs
advice all their lives.
These men," said Chief Crowley. twill
mingle with their fellow-countrymen, and
these ideas will be conveyed where. hope.
they will do most good"
The men expressed the greatest satlsfac-
ton with their release. They claimed
that their treatment in prison was not to
be compared with that in Saghalien.
I'VE have been royalty treated, and will
always be grateful to the American peo-
ple," was the gst of their expressions on
this subject.
A proprietor of dime museum had
them in tow without delay, and five of
them were speedily fitted out with decent
suits at the emporium of large clothing
establishment, where the storekeeper was
induced to throw in the five suits for $50
on the representation that II would prove
n splendid lad" for his business. Some of
the suits were little large. but looked
dudsh in comparison to the abandoned
garments. a neat bat, boots and under
scum proprietor expressed his intention of
doing the same in regard to the remaining
five, who. during the Chiefs lecture, wore
their usual woe-begOne motley attire.
Five of the men have already taken out
their first papers declaring their in tention
of becoming American citizens. They are :
Mathew Sherbakov. Harlampi Nikiten,
Steven Bushkoff, John Heckert, Stanislaus
Voynakorsky.
C0ntradi ctory reports regarding the
"crimes" for which the ten men were i'm.
prisoned az Saghalien have been widely
current Yesterday Commissioner Strad-
ley saw no objection to giving out the aft
davits officially secured from each Of the
men upon the evidence on which thew
were released by the national authorities.
The statements. synopsis of which is
given hereafter, are especially interesting
as affOrdlng an idea of Russian crime
and the proportion of punishme Mt 10 ted
out therefor. The correct names of the
men are now for the first time published,
Stanislaus V0vnakorsky, a Russian Pole. 81
wears old, in 1881 was soldier. serving as a
cook for a Russian officer; one day when
drunk the officer had ME arrested. and Slapped
me three times in the face and / slapped him
back was tried by court-martial and SEN
fenced to serve ten years Oh the Island OF Sag
lalien.
john Kovaloff, % years DID, born in the city
of Harcov. In 1883 the Russian Government
arrested about fifteen Nihilisrs, workingmen in
my native city; / attempted TO take their part
aud help them, and was arrested as Nihilist;
was lred and sent 10 the island of Saghalien to
serve an indefinite sentence.
ImeIZeh Beg-Was born in Elizabeth Poll,
one of lie Tartar provinces or Russia, SO wears
old, tailor. In 1887 was arrested in my ma
tive province for this: My brother. who is a
nj of ID In Ian ffFNan "A
All alteration with man killed him. He then
fled, They blamed ne because / was his
brother. and would not tell where my brother
was. was tried. spent TWO years IN Russian
prisons and six years on the island of Saghalien.
Meshedy Sahalad, 20 years Old-AbOut i've
years ago, In the city. of Boku. province of
woman that NJ slept with. but didn't do
it; kept me IN prison for about three years,
and Then sent me TO the island Of Saghalen for
six years.
Mohammed MelIch, 80 years old, born in
Persa-Came from Persia TO Boku. city 10
one of the Tartar provinces OF Russia, in 1887
slept with woman In that city; il is a Tartar
law that If q man sleeps with woman he must
20 TO prison; was kept In prison for ten or
twelve years. and then sent TO the island for
three years.
John Heckert. Prussian. "a years old-Tak en-
TO prison by the Russians in May, 1858, for
passing counterfeit money; was sent 10 the
island OF Saghalen for eight years.
Steven Puskk off, born in State of Simbirsk In
Russia; was soldier detailed TO attend to
Government horses in the State of Basrabe
about September. 1885. was detailed on picket
duty cn the Russian frontier opposite Rouma-
MA; was my duty 10 see that nobody passed
the line; man came along, and i'm accordance
with law asked him three times ''Nho is
theTe?" but lie did not reply; ii was my duty
TO stop him. The law is when one passing by
does not reply TO the questions TO stop him by
shooting at his feet. Being very much excited
l shot the man and killed him; tried and sen
fenced to the island OF Saghalien for fifteen
years.
Hariamp Nikifen, 81 years old. In 1889 l