The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-02
IN DEATH PACT.
Topeka Friends Learn of Rus
sian Prisoners Suicide.
Nan Preferred to Die Rather
Than to Live Without Girl.
WOMAN WAS DOOMED
She Took Poison Prior to Time
Set For Execution.
Exiles Now Here Once We're
Held on Like Charge.

Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Left. 800 East
Second street natives of Russia. who
were exiled to Siberia but escaped to
America, have received word of the
death of two friends They were a
young man and woman-lovers. The
girl had been sentenced to death, the
man to exile. Rather than be hanged
blythe government, the woman formed
a pact with her lover and they killed
themselves.
According to a letter received by
Mrs. Left. Riah Prisagunuck, the girl,
and Ekarhd Horn. the man. were con-
fined at Kiev. the girlhood home of
Mrs. Left. They had been convicted
of spreading seditionary literature
among the soldiers. a charge similar to
that on which Mr.. and Mrs. Left were
tried prior to ~-their exile to Siberia,
from which place they escaped and
came to America. The lovers communi-
Gated by a system of knocks or signals
and formed a suicide pact. Horn OBJ
tanned the poison and passed it through
hole in the wall to his sweetheart in
an adjoining cell. fl =:
The woman was to have been exc
cuted the following morning. Instead,
her body was found when the execu-
TONERS opened the cell. Death penal
ties in Russia generally are exacted
about 8 O'Clock in the morning t. avoid
demonstrations by prisoners, who hiss,
shout and groan as the trap is sprung.
Horn had obtained bottle of poi
son from outside, Then the girl began
drilling from her side of the wall. He
did likewise. Finally, the hole was
large enough, through which to pass
the vial.
One day he learned that the woman
was to be hanged the next morning.
The hours dragged on. Evening came.
All grew quiet in the prison. The moon
rose and gave light to the cells.
Quietly, Horn removed the lime
which covered the hole and called in
low tone:
"Riah.''
The woman answered.
Then the two stood close to the wall
where they could see each other in the
moonlight.
Horn
mo, no." she replied ST am glad to
give my life for freedoms cause.
am sorry only because have only one
life to give"
Soon the prison clock was striking.
The lovers said goodby. Horn poured
part of the poison into bottle, tied
it to a stick and passed it through the
hole to the woman.
With his eyes close to the opening he
the ce f1oorffif, bero,vl
saw her raise the potion to her lips.
She staggered and fell. AS she lay on
the cell floor a bar Of moonlight stream
ed over her face.
At first means and gasps came from
trembling form. Then the sounds grew
fainter and ceased. As soon as Horn
knew she was dead, he also took poison
Soon afterwards the guards who were
to have taken the woman to the scat
fold opened the door. There was ex-
carnations and curses. Soon Horns
completely was discovered. In death
| the government had been cheated.
st knew Riah quite WE'LL said Mrs
Left. I'VE were in school together and
were like sisters. She was beautiful
brave woman and was not afraid tc
die.
In Russia it is considered great
| lisgrace among political prisoners &c
&c hanged by the government. Many
Of them prefer to kill themselves II
was so with Riah. And her sweet
| heart, although he was NOT to die By
| The government, preferred suicide tt
l life without her."