TRAGICAL INCIDENT OF NIHILISM.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2832, 22 April 1882, Page 2

TRAGICAL INCIDENT OF NIHILISM.

A tragical incident is reported from Samura, one of the most flourishing towns in the Volga Government. Some time ago a popular preacher in one of tlio Samara orthodox churches gave great umbrage to the Revolutionary Committee of that city by recalling, with fervid eloquence, the assassination of Alexander 11. to the remembrance of his congregation and vehemently inveighing against the murderers of the late Czar. A few hours later the committee held a meeting for the purpose of deciding what punishment should bo inflicted upon the offending priest for his inflammatory utterances. After some discussion tho committee resolved that he should be put to death, and its members drew lots for the executioner’s office, which fell to a girl of 19, affiliated to the organisation only a few days previously. Upon drawing the fata! lot she exhibited some agitation, but speedily collecting herself, accepted her murderous mission with the words, “ The committee will have reason to be satisfied with the manner in which its decree will be carried out.” Next morning the doomed priest was awakened by the report of a firearm discharged in a room contiguous to his own bed' chamber. Upon entering the room in question be beheld bis only daughter stretched out at full length upon the floor, near the foot of the bed, and weltering in her blood. She had just strength enough left before expiring to confess to him that she had pledged herself to take his life, in obedience to the orders of the Secret Committee, bnt had preferred killing herself to fulfilling her oath. Exhorted to reveal the names of her fellow-conspirators she steadfastly refused to do so, and died without having afforded any clue that could lead to their detection.