Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-04
The family has

ity by a nihilist bomb. The family has
always been eccentric.
Nominally the imperial line begins
with Michael FeOdorOvitch RomanOtf,
whom the Russian mobiles made car in
1913 10 sheer desperation over the pro-
lOnged civil wars. He was only the son
Of an archbishop, but the mobiles man
aged to trace some connection by mar
rage with Rurlk, founder OF the en-
pire. Atany rate, the horrible wars and
murders OF the preceding century had
left conflicting claims In such confusion
that there was nothing for 10 but start
anew, and so the ROmanOff was made
emperor. His grandson was Peter the
Great, who was succeeded by his widow
Catharins ], snd after her came another
era Of confusion which ended with the
accession OF Elizabeth, daughter OF Pc
ter the Great Peter III was the son OF
her sister, aud as he was the husband Of
Catharine III il is assumed that the line
Is regular from the first RomanOff
through Peter the Great.
The RomanOf blood is diluted to 3
very ine strain through frequent inter
marriage with German princesses, aud
Alexander ii married Maria, daughter
OF the late Grand Duke Of HesSe Darn
stadt Their second son, Alexander,
was born March 10, 1915. There is B
story, neither officially confirmed nor
strenuousy denied, that he gave the
blow 10 his older brother, Nicolas,
which caused the latter's death. 1t was
accidental 10 some rough "horse play"
but IL Injured the chest Of Nicolas, and
be died April "a, 1865, St the age OF %,
aud straightway everything was
changed with Alexander
Nicolas was engaged TO be married to
the Princess Dagmar, daughter OF the
King OF Denmark and sister of the Prin-
cess Alexandra, who married the Prince
OF Wales Nicolas was a man Of kindly
disposition, and for mem Der Of the In
perial RomanOffs of Russia possessed
of much culture. Alexander seems 20
have been q young man Of unusually
morose and obstinate disposition. He
was in love with the Princess Met
chereki, who was one OF his mothers
maids OF honor. She was q beautiful
girl, and Alexander had told her of
his passion. Alexander III was not
pleased With this and sent his son
away. During his absence his sweet
heart was forced TO accept an offer of
marriage from Paul Demidoff, prince
OF San Donate, and so, when the elder
brother died and it was decided that
for reasons OF state Alexander should
marry Princess Dagmar, be made no
determined opposition.
The marriage took place November 9,
1866, and although authorities conflict
about almost everything else pertaining
to the life OF Alexander III. there is no
doubt that the married life OF the
couple was almost an ideal one. notwith-
standing the unusual circumstances
which led 10 their union. Gar Alex
ander ii was killed By nihiiist bomb
March Is, ISL. aud his son succeeded
him Immediately as Gar Alexander III.
During the years that he had been
heir apparent be seems TO have neg
lecJed 90 opportunity TO 1t himself for
the exalted and srdu0us duties that
were before him. Whether his design
was 70 so rule Russia as TO make its
people happy and prosperous or simply
TO strengthen the Russian throne Is \
Question ADon which there are vital and
radical dif\rsnces Of opinion. Certain
II is that he Nhaugsd the policy Of his
father. who IN freed the serfk and had
lp maoy WAYS r Icats3 a desiSs 20 pre-
pare bis connsr for more liberal ad-
minsstration gov5rnmsp&
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