The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-11-15
Body Of Alexander Missing
When 1t Was Opened by
Order of TIE Soviet.
EMPEROR WAS ALIVE IN 8O'S
Reported Dead in 1925, Expiated
Fathers Murder by Long Wander
lnQs-Became Guest of ST.
berian, Who Told Story.

| Alexander / In the Peter and Pau
fortress in Petrograd was opened b.
order Of the soviet, the coffin wa
found to be empty. 1t was recalle,
that his widow did not, as is the in
variable Russian custom, come to pra.
by her dead husbands body, although
she was in Taganrog, where the czal
was supposed to have died. The coffir
was nailed down and taken on the Ions
J journey to Petrograd, where, cOntrar,
| to custom, no lying in state was per
| m1tted. What was the explanation OF
these mysterious Incidents? What was
the explanation Of the empty coffin?
Through the courtesy Of the editor
Of Reval paper l have been shown a
manuscript which claims to solve the
mystery. The writer is a man who in
the eighties of the last century was
well known in Petrograd apd occupied
an important post In one Of the gov
eminent departments. The document
reads as follows:
Tells Amazing Story.
"In 1884 a Siberian merchant named
Semen Chronov, whom I had known
grad and told me that Gear Alexander
I, who was supposed to have died in
Taganrog in 1925, had just died in ST.
IBERIA, where he had lived as Chronov's
guest.
"ChronOv WAS a man Of consider
able substance, owner Of two gold
mines, with reputation for straight
dealing and good life. He was GER
tainly witness in whose word the ut
story seemed so incredible that l hest
tated to accept it. He then handed me
photograph and packet sealed with
the imperial arms which he requested
me to convey to Gar Alexander III.
The photograph was that of an old
man of great dignity, with high fore
head and long, flowing white beard.
whom | remembered having seen at
Chronov's house in Yenissei on the Oc-
packet, he said. contained the late
czar's private pare
Little by little got the whole story
out of him. One night ali old gentle
man knocked at his door and asked for
for the night. He took a
fancy to his guest and pressed him to
stay on with him. The stranger agreed
after some demur. He gave his name
as Feodor Kusmitch, told many tales |
lges to holy shrines spent much Of his I
line In earnest prayer and reading |
# the Scriptures and was content with |
he simplest fare.
HE enjoyed very good health until |
MS last short Illness, Notwithstanding
lis extreme old age. When he felt
leath approaching fast he called
Jhronov t. his bedside and unveiled
In amazing story. He told him he was
Gar Alexander l who, tormented by
emorse for his completely in the MUIR
Ter of his father, Paul l, had decided
O renounce the throne and all worldly
antilles. He had seized the opportun-
ty OF the sudden death of a soldier Of
is personal guard who was of SINH
ar build and not unlike him in fea-
ureS. This was the man who was
uried in the Fortress Of Peter and
'aul in his stead. Since then, until
|
liable house he had led the life Of q
ilgrim, wandering from shrine to
brine, seeking in prayer and self alb
egatiOn Divine pardon for the terrible
rime into which ambition and love of
over had led him. He gave ChrOnov
Is portrait and sealed packet, re-
uasting that they be given the reign
lg car.
"A few hours later he died. Chro-
trust upon him, and having no rela-
ons with the court, bethought him of
e as an intermediary. ,
'The subsequent happenings amply =
IRE out the truth of the extraordinary
DRY.
Il gave ChrOnOv letter OF introduce
On to friend of mine, who was gen.
al adjutant, and he presented the
berian merchant to Grand Duke .
adimir Alexandrovitch, who, i'm >
essed by his story, took him to the .
ar. The packet contained convinc- =
3 proofs. An order was given to the a
en- metropolitan, to have the coffin o
the reputed Car Alexander /
ened, and to take out the body he
)uld find therein and give it decent Y
+erment elsewhere. The governor of &
missed was instructed to see that the =
ave of Feodor Kusmitch be taken &
Oper care of, the costs to be charged &
perpetuity to the privy purse Of the =
gning car" 3
Boys Fish for Chickens. 3