Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-01-26
HUNDREDS we're SHOT BY SOLDIERS.

I sNs1 n - \ ] y u - II
but more wf1I follow. It is now tn,
people against the oppressors and thu
battle will be fought to the bitter
end"
Crossed the FrOzen Neva.
The military authorities had firm
grip on every artery in the city. Al
daybreak guards, regiments, cavalry
and infantry held every bridge across
the frozen Neva, the network Of ca.
nails which interlaces the city, and the
gates leading from the industrial sec,
ton, while in the palace square, al
the storm-center, were massed dragon
regiments, infantry and Cossacks of
the guards. Barred from the bridges
and gates, men, women and children
crossed the frozen river and canals on
the ice by twos and threes, hurrying
to the palace square, where they were
sure the emperor would be present to
hear them. But the street approaches
to the square were cleared by volleys
and Cossacks' charges. Men and
women, infuriated to frenzy by the
loss of loved ones, cursed the soldiers
while they retreated. Men harangued
the crowds, telling them that the en-
peror had foiled them and that they
had come to act. Men began to build
barricades in the Nevsky prospect and
at other points, using any material
that came to hand. and even chopping
down telegraph poles.
Every time the troops moved the
crowds hissed them. Strikers gath
cred at the entrance of the Grand
Morskaia and on the avenue leading
to the Moika canal. The crowd at the
latter place swelled to huge propor-
tions, blocking the bridge across the
canal. The order came at 1870 p. m.
to clear them off. The colonel COM
manding the horse guards uttered a
short, sharp command; the troopers
drew their swords and advanced at a
quick trot and then broke into a gal
lop, heading straight for the Moika,
where they werel ost in a cloud of
snow. Shrieks from the wounded re-
sounded. Then came a deadly silence,
broken only by the galloping Of ambu-
lance horses. Nothing indicated the
approach of the horrible butchery
which was destined to stain the cor
der of the admiralty gardens with hu-
man blood. The crowd there persisted
in refusing to move on, clamoring for
the emperor, and continually hurling
abuse at theltroops, but attempted no
violence. Two companies of the Proc
branjensky guards, of which Emperor
Nicholas himself was formerly colonel,
which had been standing at ease in
front of the palace, formed and
at double-quick toward the
fatal corner. Events followed with
awful swiftness. The commanding
officer shouted "disperse, disperse. dis
Dersa" Many In the crowd turned to
flee, but 1t was too late. A bugle
sounded and the men in the front
ranks sank to their knees and both
fred three volleys, the first
wo with blank cartridges and the last
With ball. A hundred corpses strewed
he sidewalk. Many women were
,ierced through the back as they were
rYng to escape. The Associated press
correspondent, standing behind the
roops, saw mangled corpses of per-
IONS of all ages and both sexes strew-
ng the ground. One boy of 13 had his
skull pierced and rent by bullets.
Great splashes and streams of blood
stained the snow. Only few of the
,ictims remained alive, for the fatal
yolley was fired at a distance of not
more than 20 PAGES. The police re-
,ruited a large number of droshkies
sleighs) to carry off the dead. Heart
ending scenes were witnessed as
wives. husbands and mothers came up
0 cIaIm tneir uear ones ana were car
led off with them in the sleighs.
whole city In State OF Panic.
Fighting meantime continued at
-arious places, soldiers volleying and
the mob The whole city
vas in a state Of panic. Women were
unning through the streets seeking
ost members of their families. Sew
raj barricades were earri0d hv The