Escape From Destiny: A Biographical Sketch of Captain George E. Prujan

By Philip J. Sipkov

Escape from Destiny: A Biographical Sketch of Captain George E. Prujan was written by Phil as a tribute to the “Captain,” a horseman Phil met as he learned to ride at the stables in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. This historical biography follows the Captain from his birth in Russia, out of the grips of communism, a

• Language: English
• Publisher: aois21 publishing, LLC
• Release date: Nov 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9780985904470

Philip J. Sipkov

A native of Washington, D.C., Phil's life has revolved around two passions - books and horses. He refers to them as the indoors and outdoors of his existence. He was a bookseller that eventually became a manager of a small bookstore. He was a stable hand or "mucker," an exercise boy/rider, and a groom for members of the the foxhunting clubs. In time he managed a small riding academy with his wife and daughter. Through it all, the books proved to be his mainstay. He has been an employee of the Library of Congress for the past 27 years. As for the horses - they are still his passion - but not his paycheck.

Book preview

Escape From Destiny

Escape From Destiny

A Biographical Sketch of

Captain George E. Prujan

By Philip J. Sipkov

Washington, D.C.

1986

A paperback version of this book was published in 1985.

Photographs reprinted with permission.

Copyright © 1985, Philip J. Sipkov. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address aois21 publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 129, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sipkov, Philip J., 1953-

Escape from destiny : a biographical sketch of Captain George E. Prujan / Philip J. Sipkov. 1st.

v, 51 p. : illus. ; 22 cm.

ISBN 0-9859044-7-0

I.Title

DK254.P78 S57 1986

947.084/092/4 B            86185184

CONTENTS

Foreward                                vi

PART ONE: Another Time - Another World (1897 to 1914)    1

Chapter I. An Era of Empires                     3

    Chapter II. Russo-Iapanese War                 7

Chapter III. Western Storm - Eastern Calm        10

PART TWO: A World Gone Mad (1914 to 1917)        19

Chapter I. Marching to War                  21

Chapter II. Subaltern Prujan              23

Chapter III. Respite in Harbin           34

PART THREE: Escape From Destiny (1917 to 1922]    37

Chapter 1. Duty. Retreat, and Disenchantment     39

Chapter II. Siberian Trek                        42

Chapter III. Onto a New World                  46

Map                                       24-25

FOREWORD

I really don't quite remember when I took my first step or even when I was able to walk without the help of my parents. Yet, every time I get on a horse and ride cross-country, up steep hills, through streams and over natural and artificial jumps, I pay homage to George Eugene Prujan, affectionately known to his friends as Captain.

I first met the Captain in 1973, when I was a junior at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. A friend of mine was boarding a mare at a stable located in Rock Creek Park. The park is situated in the heart of Washington, D.C. and has miles of bridal paths. The Captain boarded his horse there as well and gave private lessons. My friend asked me to look in on the mare when he was unable to. It was not before long the Captain and I ran into each other. Our interest in horses soon brought us into a student-teacher relationship. I never had any formal instruction in jumping and the

Captain had been jumping competitively for years.

In time we came to know each other better and a solid friendship formed. He took the place of the grandfather I never had or saw. The hours he spent coaching me on a horse and the critiques and explanations I received at the horse trials, we both attended, are priceless.

Well, one now has idea of where I received my equestrian knowledge and experience. As to the Captain's, this book will describe how he came to be a horseman and a whole lot more.

The story about to unfold is a historical biography. It is an account comprised of the personal life of George Eugene Prujan, as told by him, to, and, recorded by me, as well as research done to provide the reader with the necessary historical background and reference points.

Let us now go back to a time, since forgotten, an era few remember...

  Philip J. Sipkov

Washington. D.C.

January 1986

PART ONE

Another Time – Another World (1897 to 1914)

CHAPTER I

An Era of Empires

When George Eugene Prujan was born. Russia was the land of the Czars. These supreme rulers, who governed by divine right, led their nation on a grand quest for expansion, power, and wealth. Their whims, desires, and dreams shaped the destiny of all Russia. On July 25, 1897, the destiny of George Eugene Prujan was tied to that of Russia, for he was fated to be born at a time when the course of the history of the world would change.

We must transport ourselves back in time to another era. The thoughts, the dreams, worries, dress, books, mode of transportation, and even the entertainment of the people living during the time of George Pruian’s birth were very different from those we know today. You might say that you are fully aware of these facts. but is a full awareness possible? For if I were to tell you that George was born in Leningrad, you will probably picture a dark city on the Baltic Sea named after Lenin, the first leader of the