A SAGHALIEN TRAGEDY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4396, 29 June 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)

A SAGHALIEN TRAGEDY

Private intelligence from Saghalien, partly confirmed in the offical “Amur Yedomosti,” pictures the state of things in the convict island. The authorities, finding that the convicts did not produce as mucu work aa is desired, ordered them to labour on Sundays and other Cnurch -holy days. The prisoners by mutual consent revolted. The prison chief then resolved to have all the convicts flogged, there being about 100 of them, including women. The prisoners wer e led out into the yard, there to await, half-frozen, half frightened to death, for the arrival of the executioner. At last the gates opened to let in a cart laden with birch and other rods. Shrieks and groans resounded from amongst the prisoners. The soldiers and warders, with loaded weapons, stood watching them, and waiting for the appearance of the prison chief to give the word for the commencement of the execution. When he came into tho yard the convict Sokolenko made a sudden rush towards him, loudly swearing,and creating a commotion among the prisoners and guards alike. The prison chief at once discharged his pistol at Sokolenko, who fell, on the spot. In the melee that followed mere convicts were shot and wounded; others were stabbed. How many victims of that tragedy there were is still a secrat. the affair oeing now in the hands of the local procureur.