THE KISHINEFF HORROR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 230, 26 September 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE KISHINEFF HORROR.

A DETECTIVE'S STORY

A Russian newspaper recently announced the discovery of the murderer of the young peasant Michael Rybalenko, who was alleged to have been murdered by Jews for ritual purposes. This death of Rybalenko was one of the causes of the anti-Jewish outbreak ,at ,Kisiiincff, and excited against the Jews the orthodox population of the district of Dubossary and of the whole of Southern Russia. The following is an account of the manner in which the real perpetrator of the crime, an uncle of the victim, was discovered: — One of the best known agents of the Secret Police, named Matveieff, was despatched by bis chiefs to Dubossary, and as he knew the Jewish jargon spoken there, disguised himself as a Jew, went among the people, and made a minute inquiry, with the result of establishing the fact that they were not Implicated In the murder. They themselves suspected the parents of Michael Rybalenko, who. It was alleged, had an interest in removing him, aa they would thus Inherit some property. Matveieff next disguised himself as a Russian'peasant and began to frequent the public houses. In one of these he made the acquaintance of a certain Antoine Tlschenko, who was employed at a market garden near to the one in which the body of Rybalenko had been discovered. Conversations with this man soon convinced the detective that he must hare been an accomplice In the crime, and that the deed must have been perpetrated by a person named Timostchnk, an ancle of the victim, who had fallen on evil days, and probably desired the death of the youth In order to bring Into the family the Inheritance already spoken of. The detective thereupon made the acquaintance of Tlmostchuk, and began to pay court to his eldest daughter. He pretended to be a peasant who had become rich through booty from Klshineff, and thus gained the confidence of Timostchuk. After plying him with drink one day, he began talking to him and Tlschenko, and tried to nettle them by remarking that the Inhabitants of Dubossary were a pack of fools for not having taken advantage of the death' of Michael Rybalenko to organise an onset against the and Jews to become rich at their expense, as was done at Kishlneff. Tlschenko explained that this was impossible, as they had to keep quiet, being themselves the authors of the crime. He then related the details of the murder. He said that, after securing his assistance, assuring him that he had nothing to fear, as suspicion would fall on the Jews as desirous of procuring the blood of a young Christian for their Passover festival, Timostchuk enticed his nephew to his house, made him intoxicated with brandy, and then knocked him down with a heavy article, with which he struck his victim's head. He then made several incisions In the lad's throat, in order to make it appear that a Jewish ritual murder had been committed. The body was then hidden in a cellar for two days, when it was thrown Into a neighbouring garden, on the banks of the Dniester, where it was eventually discovered. On the strength of this secret confession, Matveieff at once informed the legal authorities, who ordered the arrest of Timostchuk and Tisehenko. The latter repeated his confession to the Examining Judge, while the former persisted In protesting his innocence. A search, however, was made at his house, which brought to light, incriminating articles, such as the knife with which he had made the cuts in the throat, the clothes, stained with blood, which he had worn on the day of the murder, etc. The two men are at present in prison at Odessa.