The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-07-21
Copyright by W. G. Chapman)
A MODERN
BORGIA

~ ~AAxA
During his long and remarkable ca.
feer, Michael Danevitch was called
upon to solve problems of a very var
led nature. In his own particular way
the man was genius; and it almost
seemed as thought nature had en-
lowed him with an eighth sense, for
he saw and grasped points which no
one else could see He was a perfect
actor, and his powers of mimicry and
OF changing his expression and per-
sonal appearance were little short Of
marvellous. He could with ease as
sumo the role of an ambassador or
a peasant woman, and he possessed to
a remarkable degree the faculty of
patience, which Is indispensable to
anyone who wishes to distinguish him
self in the detectives art.
One summer night Col. Ignatoff,
who was in command of an infantry
regiment of the line, temporarily sta
toned In Moscow, returned to his
barracks after being out all evening,
and, complaining of being very Ill,
ordered that the regimental doctor
should be sent for. When the physi-
clan arrived, he found that his COM
handing officer had vomited violently,
and was lying on the bed in state
of utter collapse. The soldier-servant
who was with him said that his mas
ter had suffered dreadfully, and de-
scribed his feelings as if a fire was
raging within him. The doctor ap-
piled remedies which restored his pa
tient to consciousness, and he finally
murmured that be believed his illness
to be due to, some iced fish soup "a
favorite Russian dish) of which he
had partaken freely. He thought it
probable that the fish from which the
soup was made were not quite fresh
On being asked where he had par
taken Of the soup, he was seized with
another spasm and died without being
able to answer A post-mOrtem ex-
animation was made, and resulted in
the discovery that death was due to
an irritant poison that had set up
inflammation of the stomach. This
seemed to be quite consistent with the
victims theory that his illness was
due to unwholesome soup.
The fish soup is very common dish
In Russia. It is highly seasoned, thick.
ened with rich cream, a quantity of
olive oil is added, and the mess is iced
until nearly frozen. AS it is only
partaken of in the summer great care
has to be exercised that the fish is
quite fresh. Any carelessness in this
respect is apt to produce serious i'll
ness. 1t was knowledge OF these |
facts which led the medical men to
conclude that the colonel's death was
entirely due to the soup. The dead
man was buried with military pomp
and splendor 1t was known among
his intimate friends that he was a
married man, but owing to "incompat-
Utility" he and his wife had long lived
apart. All his effects he left by will
to a nephew named Peter Baranof,
captain in an artillery regiment,
which was also stationed in Moscow.
: 1t was generally supposed that Col.
Ignatof was wealthy, but 1t became
known after his death that he died
worth very little. This gave rise to
much gossip, and 1t was limited that
he had squandered his means on a
certain lady to whom he had been
greatly attached Col. lgnatof had
been in his grave about twelve
months, when Moscow was furnished
with another sensation. Although he
had died poor, relatively, his nephew
had fallen heir to something like s15,'
1000. The young fellow had never
been very steady, and. after his
uncle's death launched out into ex-
tcesses which earned stern reproofs
from his military superiors. How
ever, an unexpected and effective stop
was put to his method OF enjoyment.
| Late one night man was picked
Iup near one of the gates of the krem-
hin wall In state Of Inconsistencies,
and was conveyed by police patrol
to the nearest station-house, as the
natural inference was that he was in
toxicated. He was identified as Cap
tain Peter Baranoff. from letters and
cards found in his pockets. Within an
hour of his admission he died, without
having regained consciousness. AS
no reason could be assigned for his
nremature deeease, an autopsy was
performed, and it was then found
that. as In his uncle's case, there was
violent inflammation Of the coat OF
the stomach and the intestinal tract.
In the stomach were the remains OF
some half-digested morsels OF fish;
and it YVES also made evident that a
little while before his death the de-
ceased had partaken freely OF vodka.
This led 10 the supposition that intox-
tcation was accountable for the uncon-
scious condition in which he was
found; but intoxication would not &C
count fox his death. After some dis
cussion among the medical men, how
ever. II was decided to certify that ne
had died from eating impure food.
which by it's poisonous action had set
I'm Inflammation. which had been
much aggravated by the vodka. Some
attempt was made to trace his move
ments ON the evening OF his death,
hut an the attempt resulted in was
nroof that he left his quarters be-
tween six and seven. He was in pri-