The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-28
Romance OF Bngand's Vendetta,

A story comes from the town OF Tulcea
that reads like some old Sandman ro-
nance
For many years a brigand named
Lachfnsh was the terror of the district
lying between~that town and Sulina, at
the mouth of the Danube, and the port
of Kustendjie and the Black Sea.
His tale was a curious one. OF good
family. he fell madiy in love with
beautiful Roumania girl, the daughter
of an officer Refused by the girls re-
lations, he attempted TO abduct her, but
was frustrated in the attempt, and dur
ing the fight which ensued he by mis-
take shot his sweetheart. He then swore
TO take a big revenge on his fellow
creatures. and successfully the relations
OF the dead girl became his victims.
In vain police and military endeavored
TO hunt him out and take him, living or
dead. In the Businesses of the woody
hills of the Dohrugea he hid himself,
and there defied his would-be captors for
years.
He gradually became sort of modern
Robin Hood, giving part of the proceeds
of his brigandage TO the peasantry, and
in this way was always well informed
of the movements Of the armed parties
engaged in the search for him.
So feared did he become that single
persons began to be afraid to make the
road journey between Sulina or Con-
stanza and Tulcea, and when carrying
valuables always travelled armed and in
parties. Nevertheless, Lackinsh would
often hold up big parties ssingle-hand-
ed, and his desperate deeds would make
an exciting book.
Armed to the teeth, he would suddenly
appear among the trees at the roadside,
and the slightest hesitation TO his order
to put all arms in a heap in the road
brought a shower of bullets from his
two Winchester carbines Unfortunately
among the party.
The writer, when riding once from Su-
lima to Tulcea. met man and entered
into conversation with him:
You are English?"
yes"
"Ah, that is the land where one mar
ries for love only, is it not 50; and
where parents do not interfere with the
loves of their children?'
Eyes, that's So"
do you know why I askf''
mo"
Look and you will understand
The man opened his coat, and in a
cartridge belt were stuck four heavy re-
volvers, besides a knife. Il am Lach-
inski; had you been 'Boyar' (meaning
a Roumanian of the better class, I
should probably have killed you! On
your English word Of honor do not say
to any one you saw me. Goodnight
He turned into a path among soma
maize plots. Ten minutes later ! met
a party of mounted militia. Had I met
anyone?" mo. not for an hour"
Goodnight Goodnight"
Later I received postcard thanking
me. 1 believe the man was actually
watching, and within listening distance
when the soldiery accosted mel
Now, Lachinski was joined by two or
three such outcasts as himself, and TO
their debit are put some thirty cases Of
brigandage, generally coupled with muir
der of the victims.
In 1886 Lachnski was finally captured.
A Russian of the name of Rybacoff, ltv-
ing near Tulcea who had often hidden
the bandit, tempted by the large rewards
offered for his capture, having persuaded
the robber to hide in his cellar, informed
a party of cavalry.
On their arrival to demand his surren-
der, Lachinsh barricaded himself in the
cellar and withstood a days siege, kill
ing and wounding a number of the cav
alrymen, until, in the afternoon, chance
shot broke his thigh; even then, as he
lay disabled, he shot soldier with a re-
volver. He died next day of loss Of
blood.
In 1898 Rybacoff paid with his life for
betraying Lachinski. He was murdered.
no doubt, by one of the now disbanded
brigands. They were never captured. al
though strict search was again made,
every individual being well known.
But at last for the murder of a Turk
ish woman who, 1t is said, was in Ry
bacoff's service at the time of Lach-
inski's capture, a few months ago, nine
men were arrested.
A little boy who had witnessed Ry-
bakoff's murder was beaten by one of
the bragands, and gave information
against all the band. They are now all
under arrest, and will, no doubt, pay
for their misdeeds in the salt mines of
Tugela But who knows whether this
will be the end OF the vendetta?