Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 187, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1919 — Page 3

RUSS NOBLEWOMAN DESCRIBES ATROCITIES OF THE BOLSHEVIKI

Hundreds of Persons Tortured in the Most Inhuman Fashion Before Being Put to Death and Their Estates Pillaged and Mansions Razed—Thousands Die From Hunger All Over Country.

New York, —“We do not hope any longer; we die!” The despair to which bolshevik misrule has reduced Russia is thus epitomized by a Russian noblewoman widely known throughout her country, in a remarkable picture of events in her country contained in a letter received recently in New York. Her castles and estates plundered or razed, her fortune vanished and her friends and family murdered, this titled woman is moved to remark that “three years ago, my second daughter and her husband died, he having caught cold in the trenches. Then I was in despair; now I envy them.” “I beg of you never to mention my npme; I wrote frankly to you counting on your discretion,” is the plea which fear of bolshevik tyranny moves the unfortunate woman to place at the close of her letter to her friend, a. New York woman of prominent and influential family. "Excuse the incoherences; I write with my heart bleeding, knowing that I shall never be able to give you the faintest idea of the sufferings that thousands are enduring.” A graphic tale of the' misery that spreads itself over Russia is unfolded in the letter. Wholesale pillaging and murder by bolsheviki, Germans, Finnsand others swept the land dear of its wealth. Both the noblewoman who wrote the letter and the woman who received it are.well known. The danger involved fer the former makes it advisable that not only the names of the persons but the names of the localities mentioned be withheld from publication. The letter in full reads as follows: “My* very”very dear Mrs. B .j—J__ “At last I am able to write to you and to hope to hear from you. “I will endeavor to tell you briefly the personal events of these terrible last years. But how to begin? How to give you the faintest idea of the unimaginable atrocities committed by the bolsheviki? Speaking of ourselves, I will tell you that we have lost everything. The bolsheviki have stolen all our fortune, boxes of silverware, precious objects, personal remembrances which undoubtedly are now destroyed. Freed to Flee From Home. “Three years ago my second daughter and her husband died, he having caught cold in the trenches. Then I was in despair, now. I envy them. The year 1917 in autumn, we had to flee from M , and come to the city, where .we lived under the reds’ regime until the arrival of the Germans. “You have probably read in the pa-

Potatoes Without Vines Are Grown by Girl

Kutztown, Pa. —Lizzie, -daughter of Jefferson Hoch, discovered in their potato patch that a number of seed potatoes failed to produce any vines on top of the soil. She was surprised to find the seed potatoes in every hill had clustered around good-sized new potatoes, that the entire vitality of the seed potato .was transferred to the new ones, and that there was no vine growth above the surface of the potato hills. The mother potato was still in the hill, but had given up its substance to the young potatoes, which were already so well matured that they could be u ped for a meal. •

SPORT ON SHIPPING BOARD VESSELS

The sailors on the merchant vessels operated by the shipping board have plenty of amusement in their times of leisure. The photograph shows a boxing bout ata shore station.

I pers that the reds had sent to Siberia I 300 Russian barons, and also some bourgeoisie; some died and the others returned two months after. “Although under our roof lived a military guard of bolsheviki or reds, good luck kept us from sharing their lot. I cannot describe the last days. After the arrival of the Germans a list was found of about a thousand persons, in which we were, who were to be shot the very next day. “The reign of the Germans lasted exactly seven months; they annihir lated all our hopes, they accumulated taxes upon taxes;' carrying away all the food to Germany, leaving the people of our cities to starve. “No discipline, corruption everywhere, no administration. Only those who deliberately closed their eyes to evidence failed to see that a country thus plundered and so badly treated was not to remain long under their rule. But, alas 1 How many were blind! “Then came the great catastrophe; the German troops fraternizing with the bolsheviki at W ; surrendering to them cannon, war ammunition, and refusing to fight. The Germans even damaged the cannon to the Esthes troops, which had been formed hastily and were incapable of defending themselves, having nothing, absolutely nothing! Reds* Rule Was Worse. “Then, for another year the country was at the mercy of the reds, and it was worse than the first time. “The Bolsheviki had with them Chinese and Red Lettes, who were terribly cruel, and those formed the guard of the unfortunate emperor and his family. “On the 28th of November we learned that W— — had fallen; that the Germans were leaving us in haste; and, as the German general commanding at R— —, had, at the request of the Lettes, refused the formation of troops with the men of the country, we were.left without any defense. “The lights of the electric projectors of the enemy’s ships already illuminated our shores; from the castle’s tower we could see everything; there was not a minute to be lost. The trains were running only for the German troops; it was then necessary to risk traveling by the inland ways, through dreadful roads and in a country in for when the Germans took possession of the provinces they took care not to punish their friends, the bolshevik! ; so that we were compelled to see and to live with the people who had stolen and pillaged our properties. The Germans did nothing to find out the revolutionists and to protect us, nothing! “After having packed in haste the strictly necessary things, our small caravan started at five o’clock in the morning; it was dark and the roads were frightful. “We arrived at R —— on the second of December. We were able to stay four weeks at our home, then in great haste we had to embark on the boat sent to Finland for the fugitives and we arrived at Helsingfors. Lassitude, troubles, and emotions of all these weeks -overwhelmed at last my poor husband. “Fortunately we found two rooms in a hospital; there we lived for two months, being often hungry, and when we could get some food it was execrable.

“The high prices of living in Finland are unbelievable. A pound of tea, which ordinarily cost from five to fifteen kronen, cost from one hundred to

t .J • THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

Files Suit on Herself, Then Argues Own Case

Mrs. Alice Viola Parsons, a Denver beauty specialist, appeared before a jury m Judge G. W. Dunn’s division of the county court in more roles than it Is given most persons to play in court. She Is plaintiff, defendant, plaintiff’s attorney and star witness in a suit brought by herself against the Instant Anti-Wrinkle company, of which she holds 40 per cent of the stock. The suit is being contested by other stockholders in the concern. Mrs. Parsons claims that the company obtaned valuable wrinkle eradicating formulas from her and has withheld her salary. She asserted that she had no money left from the venture, and so was obliged to act as her own attorney.

a hundred and fifty marks; a kilogramme of sugar one hundred marks, etc. Also Finland tried to get rid of so many people she had to feed, and, as the bolsheviki who come up to 28 kilometers from R- had been repulsed by the Finn troops, which had at the last moment come in aid to the Letts and to the volontaire corps of Balthes-Germans, the Finns then ordered all fugitives to leave the country within six days. However, we received, on account of my husband’s bad condition, permission to stay until h« would get better. “Going back was an impossibility, the situation being still very grave; a second expedition was no longer possible for the strength of my poor husband; moreover, we had nothing left. Our large city house was taken and turned into a hospital by a Russian volontaire corps. M devastated and blundered! First by the bolsheviki, then by the Esths, whom the Germans left unpunished; then.by the white troops and the Finns, who were fighting the reds, German properties being left unmolested. Family Lost Everything. “Last year our estate had suffered, but our magnificent castle with all its dependencies had been respected. Now all have pillaged it. The Finns being more civilized stole the most beautiful things—paintings, bronzes, . antiques, etc. Finally the 36 masters’ rooms and the 11 servants’ rooms were plundered. What they could, not take away they smashed or burned. We lost everything. Not a sheet, not a plate br a glass exist, and when our intendant complained- to the minister of state (a Thesthe), he answered him that naturally in war time everybody wanted to have some souvenirs. The whites pillaged, as I hear, 80 estates, and they were supposed to be our defenders!

“Friends here obtained for us the permission to come to K , where We found two rooms in a family. We hope soon to find some occupation, and sell some furs that I could take with me, for unfortunately my beautiful laces are Also in Petrograd. “I do not know whether you have an idea of what the bolsheviki have done everywhere whenever they had to retire. At W —— they killed 82 people; we have lost friends, acquaintances and our excellent and noble doctor. Ab most all were tortured before being put to death. Before shooting Doctor L they broke his two legs. To the old Baroness H., seventy-two years old, aftei having opened her stomach, snatched out her intestines while alive, They killed priests, doctors, nobles, merchants, worsen, children and peasants. They made several persons dig their own graves, forcing them to undress; a carriage was waiting to take away their clothes. Then they tortured every one, breaking arms and legs, crushing the limbs, snatching the intestines, gouging out the eyes, scarring the cheeks, and they even burned two persons alive. “There were three large pits; they tossed pell mell in one of them the living and the dead, and then these monsters jumped into the pit and trampled under foot the unfortunates until they w*ere lifeless. ‘Twelve persons were so crushed and disfigured that they could not be recqgnized. And all that is true!

• “After the corpses had been exhumed the doctors and the officers of the state took photographs of each, after having examined everyone of them. Russia Awaiting the Allies “At D , at W , etc., whenever, the Reds were repulsed—note, I pray you, that I say ‘everywhere’—the same tortures w’ere inflicted to the unfortunate ones. I shall not try to describe the horrors of other places, for It has been the same everywhere, “At D , hundreds have been thrown under the ice of the river, yet a clement death compared with the others. “Thousands, die from hunger in all Russia; bolshevism reigns everywhere. We had hoped to be delivered by the Germans; and they having failed/ we hpped for the allies; now, as an officer who has escaped from Petrograd was telling, we do not hope any longer, we die! • “Russia is anxiously awaiting the help of the allies, for she alone cannot conquer the terrorizing bolsheviki.”

CATCHER RAY SCHALK IS GIVEN LOT OF CREDIT FOR EXCELLENT SHOWING OF SOX

Chicago baseball commentators are giving a lot of the credit for the present fine showing of the White Sox to Ray Schalk. Naturally, being used to a high-class brand of backstopping from Ray, one doesn’t hear so much about him as when he was breaking in as a new sensation, but George Robbins, in Chicago News, declares he is catching at the “top of his career,” and results seem to indicate it. • The White Sox pitchers are going grandly, and every one knows the secret of a pitcher’s success lies in good handling from the receiving end. Schalk Is catching practically every game his team plays, hitting well over .300 and seems to have lost none of his speed and dash.

MEYERS QUITS AS MANAGER

Former New York Giant Catcher Resigns as Leader of New Haven Club in Eastern League.

John “Chief” Meyers, former New York and Boston National catcher; has resigned as manager of the New Haven club of the Eastern league, which post he has held since the opening of the present season. It was announced last night that Danny Murphy, formerly of the Philadelphia Americans, and more recently manager of the New Haven and the Hartford

“Chief" Meyers.

teams, has been appointed of the local team. Business interests prevented Meyers from devoting all his time to the team, it was stated.

PLAY TWENTY-THREE INNINGS

Chattanooga and Atlanta Indulge in Long-Drawn-Out Game—Merkle Play Was Cause.

Chattanooga and Atlanta went 23 innings to a tie in th# Southern. It took a Merkle play to make the game go the long distance, as the needed wallop arrived in the nlneteenthnvith two down. The sacks were full and Griffith of Chattanooga singled, but Marshall, who was on first, repeated Merkle’s famous play and omitted to touch second, making the third out.

BASEBALL NOTES

Sam Rice is the leading swatsmith of the Washington club. • • * The St. Louis Cardinals are beginning to win back the fans. ♦ ♦ ♦ Some baseball teams seem to think there is plenty of room in the cellar. Pat Moran surely has his Redland brigade going like real champions. Fred Thomas is playing a bang-up fielding game for Connie Mack at third base. • • • *- There is no getting away from the fact that Dode Paskert has lost some of his Speed. “'» » „ Duffy .Lewis is beginning to play the kind of ball that was to be expected of him. ♦ • • Jimmy Austin has more pep than many a recruit, in spite of his long service in the leagues. * * * New York is making a real threat for the pennant now and there is a reason for the Yankees’ success. ♦ • ♦ * Babe Ruth is among the aristocrats of the batting business, but as a left fielder he’s down among the proletariat. • • * Memphis finally disposed of Joe Slattery by selling him to Tulsa, where he hopes to find the pitching more to his liking. Percy Haughton, late president of the Boston Braves, Is to return to Harvard university in the fall as football coach. *• * i President Martin of the Southern league has dismissed Umpire Schaefer and taken on the veteran Ed Lauzon in his place. , * * * The Memphis dub returned Jimmy Corney to the Chicago White Sox with thanks after Jimmy had played a couple of games. ; ’ ■ * • • • The Yankees are going in for the hit-and-run pretty heavy, and as a result they are scoring more of those they used to leave on the bases. „♦ * * Cincinnati fans mobbed Umpire Charley Moran the other day. Since ft happened after Cincinnati went dry they can’t lay it to booze selling at the Cincinnati ball park. ■- ■ * * * Kid Gleason is quoted as saying that Eddie Cicotte has everything that a pitcher should have. Other clubs will agree and add that he also has something that no pitcher should be ab lowed to have, L

CLEVELAND INDIANS’ OFFER TURNED DOWN

Bid of $12,500 for Pitcher Leonard Is Refused. —— r—’■ . ——Li ... Manager Miller Huggins Turns Former Boston Red Sox Hurler Over to Tigers for $2,500 Less Than Jim Dunn Offered. Can you Imagine a ball club disposing of a pitcher -for $2,500 less than the highest bld? Well, such a thing probably wouldn’t happen in any business other than baseball, but such Is the case of “Dutch” Leonard. President Dunn of Cleveland wanted the services of “Dutch” Leonard for the Indians. When it became known that New York was willing to dispose of Leonard the Cleveland magnate at once started to angle for the services of the star southpaw. Dunn realizes that the one and only weak spot on his ball chib . Is his pitching staff. It has been said that a pennant-winning clilb must have a crack southpaw. Working on that theory, Dunn set out to do business with the New York club. Now, it so happens that Miller Huggins of the New York Yankees 19 hopeful of winning an American league pennant for Gotham this year. Huggins is a wise old owl and full well realizes that Cleveland and Chicago loom up as the strongest contenders, with the Boston Red Sox as still a possibility, despite the bad start of that club. No one knew any better than Huggins what the coming of Leonard would do for the Cleveland club.. It would have just about made Cleveland the one best bet In the American league, Huggins realized that he could not afford to so strengthen the Cleveland club and thereby jeopardize to a great extent the chances of his team. It Is a matter of record that Jim Dunn was willing to pay $12,500 for the services of Leonard. He knew that “Dutch” would get him back

“Dutch" Leonard.

several times that amount at, the gate if he made the Indians a stronger pennant contender, if not a winner. Yet Frank Navin of the Detroit club bought Leonard for SIO,OOO, an even $2,500 less than Cleveland was willing to pay. The Detroit club at the time the deal was made was going poorly. The pitching staff of the Tigers was in far worse shape than that of the Indians. New York realized it could sell Leonard to Detroit, strengthening that team, yet in no way lessen the chances of the New York club to win. A mere matter of $2,500 in such a case meani nothing to the millionaire owners o', the Yankees. Such is the tale of why Leonari was lost to Jim Dunn, even though he was willing to raise the ante of Frank Navin.

CONSISTENCY A JEWEL

The New York Sun pertinently remarks: “When Chris Mathewson and Branch Rickey played ball each had clauses put in their contracts that they would be exempted from Sunday ball games. Matty coached on Sunday, but Rickey does not go that far. He won’t even manage a team on Sunday. But suppose all his.players took the same attitude? What then? -Seems to be a ‘conscientious objector’ on the question of Sunday ball and yet not averse to profiting therefrom. To be entirely consistent Mr. Rickey should have no connection whatever with any organization that aids and abets Sunday baseball for profit.”

PLANS OF FATTY ARBUCKLE

President of Vernon Teamjto Use Players In Baseball Picture—--1 Has Good Talent President Fatty, Arbuckle of the Vernon club is going to use his players for something else besides. stunts on the diamond. He is framing up a feature baseball picture, in which the Vernon players are to be assigned roles. Arbuckle' says there is a lot of good movie talent on his Tiger team* but that may be just bull to coax them Into die picture.