The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-19
THE FALSE DEMETRius.
Strange Story of the Priest who Md
Himself the Gar of Russia.


Himself the Gar of Russia.
Foremost in point of date, romantic
interest, success and kingiy attributes
Of the many '.pretenders' who in times
past have endeavored to seize the crown
Of Russia, stands Dmtri Ivanovitch--
or, as he has variously been called. The
False Demetrius," the Young Demet-
rius" and "Demetrius the Impostnr."
For centuries his identity was as much
a mystery as was that OF ''the Man In
the Iron Mask" the author of "Junius"
and many other historical enigmas. Re-
cent research, however, has completely
demonstrated the falsity of his preten-
sions, and yet has stamped him as the
most successful, the most daring and
the most capable adventurer that his
tory can poinrto
Ivan. the Terrible, having in fit Of
passion slain his eldest son with his own
hand, left the throne by viii to his sec
end son, Feodor, q weak and incapable
prince, who soon fell under the domino.
ton of his mothers brother, Boris.
Godunov. OF VANS second marriage
ON infant son still survived, bearing the
name of Dmtri, and who, failing issue
of Feodor, was next in succession to the
throne. In 1891 it was suddenly an
nounced that young Demetrius had
committed suicide in the town OF Cg-
itch, and that the persons responsible
for his safety had persisted in the tumuli
that followed his death.
Seven years after Feodor died and
Boris succeeded to the imperial power,
The mystery with which he had sur.
rounded the death of the boy Demet.
RUS was we'll calculated to favor the
ambition of any impostor clever enough
TO take advantage of the credulity and
ignorance of the lower classes, and ii
was at this point that this Perkin War
beck of Russia appeared upon the scene.
He is first discovered in a mental ca
parity in the family of . Polish noble
man of ancient birth, to whom he an
nouAced himself as the actual son of the
terrible Ivan, stating that he had es
capped death by the help of a physician
whom Boris had employed to murder
him. He was young, handsome and
winning; he displayed the imperial seal
and golden cross set with emeralds-
gifts las he said) from his father; and
these, joined to his ability to shoot
ride, read and write, rare accomplish
ments in those days, suf6ced 10 enlist
numbers in his favor.
The most generally received opinion
of the antecedents Of this extraordinary
youth is that he was an unfrocked monk.
whose real name was Gregory Otriepiev;
and many think that the plot was
simply an affair concocted by the Jesu-
it's in the hope Of bringing Russia into
the pale of the Latin church.
Boris took fright and tried TO get the
conspirstor into his power. bus the pre-
tender eluded him everywhere, and was
received throughout Poland with royal
honors. At length he settled down at
the court of George Mnizek. Palatine OF
Sandomir. to whose beautiful and am
bilious daughter, Marina, he became
affianced. Aided with money by
Sigismund III. of Poland. and with Q
large force at his command, he was
ready for the contest.
Boris gave him battle on January 81,
1905, at Dobrinchi, near Orel. and,
despite the great courage and general
ship displayed by the pretender. scored
a signal victory. The false Dmitri re-
tired with the remnant OF his forces
and remained inactive for three months,
when the welcome news was one day
brought him that Boris son was do
clared his SUCCESSOR, but in a short
time proved too weak 10 hold the reina
of power. His adherents gradually fell
off. and the impostor made triumphal
entry into Moscow on the 5oth of June,
1905.
One Of his frst ects was to visit the
widow of Ivan the Terrible, who fmme-
diately recognized him az her son; but,
seeing that later on the good lady as
readily declared him an impoeoor, not
much importance is to be attached s.
her testimony.
For II months tie new car reigned
wisely end well. He displayed great
ability in all matters touching the
state, great olemency to those who had
opposed him. great gratitude TO thosa
who had favored his cause. His only
mistake was a deeper attachment 10 the
manners, religion and customs of the
Poles than TO those of the nation over
which he had so miraculously come TO
ruie A plot was formed against him.
ard il was decided to raise to the throne
pasil Suski, or Chuskoi, a defendant OF
the old car in the female line. whose
life the pretender had shortly before
spared when he had been detected in q
conspiracy.
While the car Tor car he then vasl
was celebrating his nupdals with
Marina, who had travelled from Poland
to join him, the palace was entered, ths
czarina arrested, and the czsr himeelf
seized and killed. Susli was pro
claimed emperor. and the mutnatrd
body OF Dernetrius. after having been
publicly exposed for three days. was
burned. Thus ended the life of the !
mysterious Internationally an i'm
possor. and yet one who, in his brief
space of power. proved himself a. we'll
fitted TO rule as any monarch that BE-
fore or after him occupied the place
that he himself usurpod.-Pall Mall Ca
zette.