Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-26
MASQUERADED AS A MAN
Long Career of Deception Re-
veaIed by Finding Autobio-
graphic Notes-Extracts
From Strange Docu-
ment.

CHICAGO, June 26.-The life secret of
''Nicolai De Raglan" for years secretary
to the Russian consul at Chicago, who,
after masquerading as man for eighteen
years, was found, after her death in Ari-
iona in December, 1865, to have been a
woman, was revealed yesterday. The story,
never before published, containing her rea-
son for starting out on career of de-
ception that proved her one of the most
accomplished actresses in the world, and
disclosing Russian scandal that has been
hidden for years, Is contained in her diary
and correspondence
1t is story almost without parallel for
amazing features, Showing the pluck, re-
sourcefulness and cleverness of the woman,
who began with elaborate and during
scheme to blackmail her mother and force
from her the secret Of her own parentage
and her mothers suddenly acquired for
tune, and who then found it nece ssary to
go through life disguised as man. and
making good the bluff" under al cir
cumstances, even when her. sex was dis
puted.
Deceived Procurator.
Linked with the early chapters Of her
story is the name of NJ. Constantine Peto-
witch Pobedonosteff, procurator of the holy
oyAoO WIZ LUZ years was Inc QOmlnallnR
figure of Russia in many fields of activity
The procurator was deceived by Nicolai, a
she dubbed herself upon assuming mascu-
line disguise and after a private Interview
M. Pobedonosteff, who was a careful man,
stood sponsor for her and swore she was a
man.
Nicolai even started criminal proceed
ings against her mother, and when she fed
before the final medical examination neces-
sary to the trial, M Pobedonoster found
himself In an embarrassing position and
suddenly hushed up matters to avaid a
scandal
Letters from Anna De Raglan. Nicolai's
second wife," and the widow who re-
Gently tried to establish fact Ter con-
tention that, Nicoai was man, in order
that she might inherit the small estate,
show that the widow was in pos session
of Nicolai's life secret. and when Nicolai
minded her Of it frequently. Mrs. Anna
De Raglan admits making a compact with
Nicolai by which the latter paid her SIS
week over and above all her expenses
De Raylan's memorandum books show
her to have been a poet She wrote both
Russian and English verse.
Quest for the Mystery.
The diary and letters revealing this
astounding story, and solving the mystery
that has baff1ed Chicago investigators and
emssaries of the Russian government, were
discovered by Michael Feinberg clerk
In the law Office of Gardner. Stern & An
derson Of Chicago. attorneys for James
Reddck, public administrator. Most of the
documents and all of the diary are in the
Russian language. Feinberg was sent to
Phoenix to prove the sex Of De Raglan, to
controvert the claim Of Nicolai's widow"
to the estate. He discovered SO much of
the life story Of the remarkable woman
in making his official investigation that he
became fascinated by the quest for details
and traced back the steps in her life one
by one. each adding to the mystery, until,
accidentally. he discovered her diary among
her effects left at the Phoenix Hotel, where
she lived. Feinberg brought the diary and
the letters to Chicago. and as a result of
two months of tireless investigation has
discovered that De Raylan's mother is still
living in Kiev, Russia. An effort Is now
being made by Mr.. Reddick to find the
mother, who is the sole rightful heir to
Nicolais $1,000 estate.
The diary, and a letter from her mother
received through go-between more than
year ago, show De Raylans real family
name to have been Taletsky. Her given
name is not shown by any Of the docu'