New-York tribune., 1908-01-09
ONE BRIGAND'S RECORD.
LONG LIST OF MURDERS.
Arson and Robbery Also Charged
4 gainst Mid Russian Prisoner.

Charged with having committed more than
twelve murders and having attempted as many
more and also with having burned houses ana
committed countless robberies. Jan JanoH
Pouren. a mild hammered man. whom the nus
sian authorities want arrested by United
States marshals in front of his nome NJ o-o
East 18th street. yesterday
When he was brought before United States
Commissioner Shields in the Federal Building
ne was charged by NJ De Lodygensky. the hus-
sian Consul General, with the long hst OF
crimes picture taken by the Russian ponce
authorities was shown him, and he ad1nltted
that he was the original of the likeness he
spoke only Lettish. the language of the province
of Lfvonia. Pouren and his accompilces are
said to have conducted their operations near
Riga He will be held until the extradltloh pa
pers have been obtained
Consul General De Lodygensky told Comrnls-
sioner Shields that the prisoner and his gang
had terroriZed the entire section of the coun-
trv where he lived, and that numerous otner
crimes could be charged against him. Ihe
complaint only cited some of his crimes 20 sho"
the United States authorities what kind OF
man the prisoner was.
Pouren has been living with woman at the
address in East 10th street He was employed
as engineer on a drill engine in the Pennsyi-
vania tunnel work He tried to escape the mar
waved his handcuffed hands, trying to explain
that he was innocent
Pouren uses eight other names, It is SAID anu
has been living under the name Of Martin Mar
tinson in this city for the last eight months'
Michael Byrnes. former Assistant United States
Attorney. was assigned to his defence
John P. Murray counsel for the Russian gov
ernment in New York, was in court with large
portfolio of papers etc, which he said contained
evidence against Pouren The latter is alleged
10 be one of band of six which levied tribute.
under threats of death, upon the people OF ftls;|
in the province of Livonia. Affidavits in Mr.
Murray's possession say that from eight to ten
days were allowed each victim to pay the money.
and that the gang operated in much the same
way as the familiar Black Hand of New York
The marauders usually set fire TO the house
after pillaging it. and in most instances killed
the occupants il is charged.
In the list of offences with which Pouren is
charged it is alleged that June 22. 1906, at
Riga in Livonfa Russia, he broke into the home
of NJ Kalnin with his gang, carrying away
property All were armed with revovers and
poniards. the complaint charges, and threatened
the inmates of the house with death L IS
| ck ed that on the night of June %, 1906,
Pouren with confederates, attempted to Kill
Youroff DOmbrowsky; that at midnight OF June
| n the accused. with associates, set fire to the
Inn Lobes in which persons were living, threat
ening the inmates with death if interfered with;
| that on the same night he and his confederates,
| after breaking into the Inn Noloby. set hre 10
it. that on the same night also they made what
| came near being successful attempt 10 murder
| one Andreas Roumpe; that at I'D O'Clock on the
| night of July -, 1906, Pouren and his assocl-
ates forcibIy entered the dwelling OF Peter
! SmaIkaiss in Riga. threatening the inmates
with death if interfered with; that on July %,
1906 they broke into the home of Andreas
Snedye carrying away considerable sum OF
money and threatening if the authorities were
Informed to return and burn the home TINS
they did on the night of August D. 1906, II IS
charged.
1t is also alleged that at midnight on August
e 1906 Pouren and his cOnfederates broke INTO
the dwelling of Ammo Lett; that on the night OF
August % 1866 they shot and killed Martin
Pontnin: that later the same night they
broke into the home of Yam knagulss. Where
they shot and killed both Knaguiss and his VIE
in the presence of the couples two small chii-
dren. that on the night of August IS l9oo' they
forciblv entered the home of Mats Apnann ana
.to- nd killed Aumanu.