Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
April 28, 1880
Watertown Republican
Watertown, Jefferson County, Dodge County, Wisconsin
What is this article about?
The romantic origin of the Russian surname Orloff traces to 1696 Moscow rebellion, where a Strelitz named Ivan displayed coolness by kicking aside a severed head before his execution, earning pardon and a name meaning 'eagle' from Czar Peter, securing his fortune.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A Bloody Romance.
Quite a romantic origin is ascribed to
A Russian surname that is frequently
Mentioned in history, and is now borne
By one of the czar's most distinguished
Subjects. The name "Orloff" is said to
Have been conferred in 1696, during the
Terrible rebellion at Moscow, and under
The following circumstances: The rebels
Were beheaded, kneeling in rows of fifty
At a time before trunks of trees strewn on
The ground, a good share of the butchery
Being done by Czar Peter himself, who
Struck off scores of Strelitz heads with
His own hand, and drinking a cup of
Wine between each execution. One of
Their number owed his life and future
Fortune by a singular exhibition of cool-
Ness and presence of mind. Just as he
Was about to kneel before the fatal block
He perceived that it was still occupied by
The head of a comrade. The story goes
That he turned it off with a kick, saying:
"This is my place. Make room for me!"
Peter was so struck by his marvellous
Sang froid that he gave him his pardon
And took care of his future fortune. This
Strelitz possessed no name but Ivan, or
John. Peter forthwith named him
Orel, or the eagle, of which the family
Name Orloff, or Orlow, is the genitive
Plural.
Quite a romantic origin is ascribed to
A Russian surname that is frequently
Mentioned in history, and is now borne
By one of the czar's most distinguished
Subjects. The name "Orloff" is said to
Have been conferred in 1696, during the
Terrible rebellion at Moscow, and under
The following circumstances: The rebels
Were beheaded, kneeling in rows of fifty
At a time before trunks of trees strewn on
The ground, a good share of the butchery
Being done by Czar Peter himself, who
Struck off scores of Strelitz heads with
His own hand, and drinking a cup of
Wine between each execution. One of
Their number owed his life and future
Fortune by a singular exhibition of cool-
Ness and presence of mind. Just as he
Was about to kneel before the fatal block
He perceived that it was still occupied by
The head of a comrade. The story goes
That he turned it off with a kick, saying:
"This is my place. Make room for me!"
Peter was so struck by his marvellous
Sang froid that he gave him his pardon
And took care of his future fortune. This
Strelitz possessed no name but Ivan, or
John. Peter forthwith named him
Orel, or the eagle, of which the family
Name Orloff, or Orlow, is the genitive
Plural.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Biography
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Fortune Reversal
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Orloff Surname
Russian History
Czar Peter
Strelitz Rebellion
Execution Pardon
What entities or persons were involved?
Ivan
Czar Peter
Where did it happen?
Moscow
Story Details
Key Persons
Ivan
Czar Peter
Location
Moscow
Event Date
1696
Story Details
During the 1696 rebellion in Moscow, a Strelitz named Ivan, facing execution by Czar Peter, kicked aside a comrade's head on the block and claimed his place, impressing Peter with his sang-froid. Peter pardoned him, named him Orel (eagle), leading to the Orloff family name and fortune.