The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-05
Sending Back the Women.

To-day the government officials, under
the supervision of General Colonization
Agent Speers will commence the work of
sending back to the villages the Dukhobor
women and children who have been kept
her for a week in the immigration shed
and in private buildings
A special train Of five colonists arrived
here from Winnipeg last evening and this
will be used to transport them to their
homes. There are nearly 500 women and
children who came from the Swan river
district. Owing to the fanatical ideas,
which seem to be rampant even more
strongly in the women than in the men,
it is apprehended that they will strongly
object to return, but the officials are -
termined that they shall not be burden
to Yorkton any longer.
The special train leaves Yorl<ton this
evening so as to pass the male pilgrims
during the hours Of darkness. The cost
of maintaining the women at Yorkton will
be paid by the Dukhobor money held by
the government
Slept In Straw Stacks.
A special from Solsgirth says: Last
night the Dukhobors encamped around
the town. The strangely clad searchers
for the second coming of Christ neared the
town about dusk, forerunners having ar
rived an hour or so earlier. AS the dark
ness FELL they sought various places of
shelter and some occupied stables and out
buildings, while the majority took to the
straw stacks, where. huddled together,
they remained buried and out Of sight un-
til the dawn. The effects of Monday
nights cold snap have already demon
strated that, however enthusiastic the in
dividual may be mentally. his physical
nature must succumbT to the continued
strain of religious excitement and strenu-
Gus bodily exercise.
Early in the morning several Of the
pilgrims showed signs Of breakdown. One
old man staggered from side to side as he
attempted to keep pace with his comrades.
young fellow, too, nearly fell several
times He was seized with violent cough
ing and became sick, so that he lost what
little food he had taken for breakfast.
He had to be supported on either side.
Later several old men needed help and
were assisted in a like manner until Brittle
was reached at noon. There they were
left to rest in the bush at the top Of the
hill near the Canadian Pacific station.
While the main body crossed the valley
to the town. -
On the road from Foxwarren, Immigra-
ton Agent Roy spoke to several of the
men as to what they would do with any
who fell sick.
He was expecting that they would in
sist on keeping the invalids with them, but
to his surprise they declared that they
would take them to the trains and send
them off.
ITO Yorkton?" asked Mr.. Roy.
mo, on the way we co. was the an
SWer.
Expect Revelation.
Later he learned that they intended go
ing through to Winnipeg, passing through
Portage la Prairie. What they would dc
in Winnipeg, they did not know, but from
| the remarks let drop in the broken Eng
lish at their command, 1t was inferred
that some sort Of a revelation from Christ
| was expected at the capital city of the
| province.
When asked what would be done II
Christ did not come to them there, they
| said they would go on from place to place
and country to country until He came
again.
1--WE will never go back to the villages. y
| one of them exclaimed. eve will go on
| always till Jesus comes to teach people
not to smoke, not to drink whisky, eai
meat or do wrong and fight-just be like
Dukhobors. Like Jesus, we do that
| A large crowd. of Brittle citizens turned
| out to me them, and the strangers as the!
| approached, singing their only chant
| were regarded with curiosity. The wan
| derers gathered at a street corner anC
|
| sion. 1t was to claim all as brothers ir
Christ and to urge preparations for His re-
ception.
"They just. laugh; only laugh said one
of the Dukhobors, who had harangued the
| crowd Later he said, I'VE are sorry for
them; they will be sorry when He comes. y
Purchase Food Supplies.
| They purchased nearly one hundred
| loaves of bread, all that the local stores
could afford to part with two barrels OF
apples, a barrel of biscuits, and large
quantities of corn and cat meal. These
| supplies were delivered at a bare spot or
the hill at the western side. Of the valley
where the wanderers prepared for dinner
The bountiful supply was augmented b.
| carrots, turnips and cabbages which hac
been secured from the farmers on the way
| Before leaving, they telegraphed on t.
| Shoal Lake to secure 200 loaves for to.
days dinner. but as Shoal Lake Is abou
| twenty miles distant from Brittle it is MOI
likely that the Dukhobors will reach it II
| time for the midday meal.
! Each Of the Dukhobors carries a copy
of the new testament and they seem tt
have very little desire to read the scrip
| lures in the old time.
|