St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-01-22
PRINCE KRAPoTkiNE
Romantic History 81 the Famous Nm
alan Nihilist.

Romantic History ~ the Famous eeus.
slan NiAilist.
Prince Krapotkine, the nihilist agf
tstor, is a remarkable man with . re
markable history, and the nihilists are
fond of asserting that he has bet
ter title to the throne of Russia than the
present car. He is directly descended
from the ancient house of Rurik, which
ruled Russia ior centuries before the
present Germ0nic dynasty of Romanoff
came upon the throne. He was educated
at the colleges of the pages in St. Peters
burg.to which only the sons of members
of the imperial court are admitted. and
afterwardstudieda at Leipsic, Heidelberg
and Zurich. proving his superior schol-
arship at each university. Upon his re.
turn to Russia he was assigned to scien-
tific work under the government and
shortly afterward became secretary oi
the Imperial Geographical society. \
few years later he entered the service
of the court as grand chamberlain TO
the wife of Alexander II.
While he was at Zurich Krapotkine
became infected with socialism and
Joined the Society Of the international
But he concealed his views and his re-
lations and served at court for more than
ten years without being discovered.
During the latter part of this period he
was in active communication and par
ticipation with the .nihiIists in st. Pet
ersburg and is said to have planned the
unsuccessful plot to assassinate the en-
peror in 1866. All this time he managed
to preserve his confidential relations at
the palace, was actually in charge OF the
person of the empress, looked after all
her private affairs, employed and dis
charged her servants and attendants
had constant access to the apartments
of the emperor and was in his presence
almost daily. But this sort of thiEe
could not last forever. A successful
raid was made upon a nihilistic as
sembly and to the CONSERVATION of the
court and the amaZement of the whole
empire, the notorious Borodin. the most
dangerous and influential agitator in all
Russia, for whom the police had beer
searching for years and who appeared
and disappeared as If by magic. when
his disguise was stripped OIL, proved to
be Prince Krapotkine, the trusted serv.
ant of the czar and the steward OF the
czarina's household.
BecaSse -Jf his imperial lineage.
Krapotkine was not executed with the
rest Of the conspirators, but was SEN
fenced toperpetual ualimprisonmenti in the
d. Do II his
lay in dungeon until it was thought
he was dying. when he was removed tc
hospital in the city, from which
friends assisted him to escape. 1t was
the habit to haul wood into the court
yard of the hospital in the fall OF the
year. when the gates were kept fire.
quently opened to admit the wagons.
The physicians having ordered that
Krapotkine should have plenty Of ali
and outdoor exercise. he was allowed tc
walk in this court, attended by single
nurse. his physical weakness being such
that no one thought he would attempt
to escape. BUTT appears that one Of hi'
attendants was bribed. Through hin
an arrangement was made to have :
drosky and swift horses outside th'
gates. and one day. when they wer'
opened to admit load of wood, Kra
potkine and the nurse slipped out. en-
tered TIE vehicle and were driven to {
place of concealment. from which they
finally succeeded in escaping to London
Krapotkine has since been foremos'
in the councils Of the nihilists. and hi.
rank and record have given him great
influence. His speeches in this coun
try. however. have not added to HI.
reputation. I heard him in New York
where his audience was small and indif
ferent. His address read well. but wa.
delivered without any force and in ;
tone of voice that was not audible II
many in the hall. In his early days HI
was famous for his dramatic and in
flammatory speeches. but now he is ar
old man, feeble and almost decrepit
and has entirely lost the fire of his
youth.-Chicago Record.