The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-16
BUTCHER TREPOFF DIES
FROM NATURAL CAUSES

had issued his fs nous manifesto In the
fall Of 1908. promising the people a
share In the Government. Holding the
position OF Master Of the Palace and
In league with the court intriguers,
who were determined TO restore tho
old regime, he constantly had the Em-
reror's ear.
Like his father before him. Trepof
was a police master with all thar the
name involved in Russia, and the story
Of father and .son Is full Of dramatic
Incidents. The elder was foundlinE.
Who his parents were was never
known.
He was found one morning as baby
upon the back doorstep OF a German
family. by whom he was taken In and
rlayfully given the name of Trepon
German for doorstep). The father en-
tered the Russian service as an agent
OF the famous Third Section and dis
tinguished himself as a member OF the
secret police.
During the height of the Nihilist con-
spiracies In the late seventies. 1t was
to him that Alexander IL. confided the
task of unearthing and running down
the terrorists plotting against his life.
The fight between liberalism and re-
action then as later under Trepof's
son was in full swing, and then as later
the energies of the police was directed
against the student agitation.
Dmetri followed his fathers footsteps
in the police Department.. He at
.racted the attention of Sersius. the
Governor General Of MOSCOW and the
Lad by him was named Police Master
Of Moscow. Trepoff soon became scr-
gius's right arm In fighIiaI the tevo.
lutionary student agit Ion OF which
the ancient capital was the hot bed
Trepoff's life WAS many times attempt-
ed but he always escaped.
When the Grand luke Serguis was
| assassinated, he was named Governor
General of Moscow. But at that time
revolutionary agitation was RAMPANT
In the capital. Later TT ,poff was sum
Lmoned to st. Petersburg and given
the command of the Imperial Guard
and made Governor General OF the
city.
He took up his residence in the win
ter palace and became, in fact, II not
In name, director Of Russia Anarchy
prevailed when he arrived. An upris-
ing on large scale was momentarily
expected. Thousands had fed the city.
But with Trepoff In the saddle. the
aspect of affairs changed. Troops nlI-
ed the streets and dead walls were
placarded with notices that the slight
est disorder would be suppressed with
out mercy. And, under his iron hand.
the city became quiet.
During those trying weeks, plot ar
ter plot to kill him was discovered and
frustrated. Two Of his own nieces
We're involved in one conspiracy. In
fa;t they attempted to execute the
sentence of the terrorists.
But in his dungeon like room, In the
palace. where no bomb could reach him
save by shattering a dozen walls, with
the telephone constantly at his side,
he issued orders and received reports.
HIS personal courage was beyond all
question. He had almost q contempt
for death. Il am no fool" he said to
the Associated Press CORRESPONDENT. a
few days after he assumed the dictator
ship, i am no fool to be pottse in
the street have work to do and /
propose to to 1t. I have given my word
to my Imperial Master to maintain the
tranquility of the city, and 1 will
answer for the preservation of order
with my life"
The strain told upon him and during
those memorable six weeks the lines
of his face deepened and his hair and
beard became streaked with gray. He
continued at his post throughout the
summer. and although Their was much
political excitement not a single riot
occurred.
Trepoff made a pretense of acquiesc-
ing in the manifesto of October of that
year, and in Whites elevation to the
Premiership, but in reality he was only
awaiting a favorable opportunity to
give battle the forces of the new re-
gime. And. when the orgy of liberty
which followed the manifesto was in
full blast. threatened to sweep away the
foundations of the government. even
Witte was glad to turn to the great po-
lice master to restore order. He accom-
plished his task and was hailed by the
reactionaries as the saviour of the sit
uation.
Personally, Trepoff was at this time a
handsome man of about As, tall, square
shouldered. with close cropped hair and
beard. his whole face anr figure instinct
with life and alertness.