Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-12
KNOU1 AND name
About All That Now Remain of
the Original CossaCkS.

Wherever Russia has a fight on hand
there bobs up promptly to do her bid
ding the Cossack. This right arm of
the car has not the best Of reputa-
lions. Illustrated papers picture him a
savage scarecrOw mounted on wiry
looking animal, and his chief occupa-
ton is apparently the knitting and
knoudng of harmless people. Yet he
comes Of good stock.
Once upon time there drifted into
southwest Russia a tribe of runawayS
vho called themselves 'Kossaki,'
which is Tartar for free men, free
warriors or guardians. Seemingly
they lived up to the name. They pro-
tected from the Tartars the peoples in
the countries which they originally had
fed from and saved thousands Of Rus
sian women and children from slavery
in Turkey. Growing in numbers and
Importance, these self appointed guard
ian angels became everywhere feared
and respected. Their military services
especially were in request. Any nation
could command their help if its cause
appealed to the Kossaki code Of honor.
The tribe had gradually resolved it
self into two claSseS-the village Kos
Saki. who lived in their own settle
ments all over southern Russia. and
the inhabitants of the ''Setch beyond
the rapids" The former had the ad-
vantage over other country folk, as
neiGhbOring governments were too
afraid to tax them. Between wars. to
which the call came from the Setch,
the village KoSsaki titled the land. OF
an altogether different character was
the organization of this Setch. a COM
muuity of about 1900 men with per
manent headquarters in a movable
settlement (the exact location was
changed eight times in two centuries),
usually on an unapprOachable island
on the lower course of the Dnieper.
/ The Turks once tried to rush the place
but got caught in the maze of islands
/ like ra;s in a trap.
The Eetch in one respect resembled
monastery. No woman was allowed
inside it A man might not even bring
his mother or his sister. If he did he
was hanged. Here, eager 10 lead the
( Tree and simple life among their
equals. came all sorts and conditions
of men. Indeed. owing TO the law
enjoining ceibacy, the colony depend
ed for its numbers on newcomers, al
though the village KossaH contributed
recruits. Any one could join. as rank
and riches were despised, and all he
haA 70 10 70 1hTpgit
follows: Chastity. the orthodox creed.
allegiance to Russia and the south
Russian dialect No reference or In
convenient questions of his past were
asked of the intending kOssak. He
simply went to the elected chief and,
after q brief greeting. was shown to
his place in one OF the "kureni.' or
big huts. Here is thy home. three
PAGES long and two PAGES wide, and
when thou shalt die we will make it
smaller"
They had good times. though. in the
Setch. There were no maneuvers, no
organized training. no compulsory
drill Men lay or slept in the leveled
spaces between huts, enjoying. gypsy
fashion. the freedom of the open air.
Drink was plentiful and also tobac-
co. Great songs were sung, and there
was much playing Of stringed instru-
ments. Throughout the place a spirit
of good comradeship prevailed. A
popular pastime was dancing. no easy
task in cumbersome high boots Cos
tunes were OF a picturesque variety.
|. The Kossak wore a mustacbe and Oh
the crown Of his head lonesome wisp
of hair. both being worn long to en-
able him to wind the three ends round
his ears Each man went armed 10
the teeth, and the majority carried
"nagaikas" whips which are still
used.
In wartime things were different
To drink was a crime. Food. always
plain. consisted of ratiOns Of uDSooked
hOrsefesh- Military organization was
by election Of leaders. one TO every 100
men. with a colonel in command Of 8
regiment These officers had absolute
power, but authority for only one ca m
paign- Such war spells were Of fire.
quent occurrence. so much so that the
fighting business led to the extinction
OF the tribe, Peter the Great laid