Young Stalin (70 page)

13.
Mgeladze, p. 242—“I got the impression Stalin was illicit son of Egnatashvili.” Author’s interviews: Guram Ratishvili; and Galina “Gulia” Djugashvili adds another variant that Stalin and the Egnatashvili children were both suckled by the same wet nurse: they were “milk brothers.” Davrichewy, pp. 26–28; Mayor Jourouli in Davrichewy, “Je suis le demifrère de Staline.” Tucker,
Stalin in Power
, p. 627. Within NKVD, on Egnatashvili relationship to Stalin: GARF 7523.107.126.1–6, General N. Vlasik interrogation.

14.
Pride in father: RGASPI 558.4.663, Fyodor Alliluyev. Khrushchev, 1:301–2. Dreams clipped: “Anarchism or Socialism,” in Stalin,
Works
, 1:296–372. Three cobblers—Stalin, Kaganovich and Mgeladze: Mgeladze, p. 237. RGASPI 558.11.1549.45, valiant son: Stalin to Keke, 24 Mar. 1934. Beso tells stories of banditheroes: RGASPI 558.4.665, G. Elisabedashvili.

15.
Mgeladze, p. 242. The three sons of Egnatashvili who died of smallpox were born around the same time as Stalin; the two surviving sons, Vano and Sasha, were born later. Tucker,
Stalin in Power
, p. 627. Keke.

16.
GF IML 8.2.1.53, Alexander M. Tsikhatatrishvili. Lobanov, pp. 13–14: memoir of David Papiashvili.

2 · CRAZY BESO

1.
Khrushchev, 1:301–2. Keke. Charkviani, “Memoirs.”

2.
Keke. Moving house nine times: Ostrovsky, pp. 88–89. Violence: Kun, p. 12. Misery: Merzliakov in
Molodaya Gvardiya
no. 12, 1939, p. 37. Cossack’s whips: Stalin,
Works
, 1: 25–27. Josef Iremashvili,
Stalin und die Tragödie Georgiens
(henceforth Iremashvili), pp. 5–6, 9–12. Beso’s violence: N. Kipshidze. Keke’s violence: Hana Moshiashvili—quoted in Radzinsky,
Stalin
, p. 24. Svetlana on knife throwing, beatings by Keke quoted in Service,
Stalin
, p. 20. Beating: G.K. Zhukov,
Vospominaniya i razmyshleniniya
(henceforth Zhukov), 3:215. Chased with whip, strangling Keke, Stalin cut, treated like a dog, “Help! Come quickly!”: Davrichewy, pp. 30–35.

3.
Keke. R. G. Suny, “Beyond Psychohistory: The Young Stalin in Georgia.” Stalin teaches Charkviani children to read: Charkviani, “Memoirs.” Davrichewy, pp. 30–31. GF IML 8.2.1.10.23–47, Simon Gogchilidze. Lessons in secret, Beso drags by ears, my sister: GF IML 8.2.1.54.202–15, Kote Charkviani. Stalin speech, VVS RKKA and government on 22 March 1938: Ostrovsky, p. 55. Barberquack; too much reading; coat to hide Soso to school: GF IML 8.2.1.9, Anna Nikitin-Geladze.

4.
Keke. Davrichewy, pp. 26–31. Davrichewy, “Je suis le demifrère de Staline,” including Gori mayor Jourouli quotation.

5.
Zhukov, 3:215. Svetlana Alliluyeva tapes: Stalin on mother, “He loved her,” etc.—see Rosamund Richardson,
The Long Shadow
, p. 93. Svetlana Alliluyeva,
Twenty Letters to a Friend
, pp. 153–54, 204. Iremashvili, pp. 5–7. Beria, pp. 20–21. RGASPI 558.4.664, P. Kapanadze. Haughty, proud, Keke works for her family and Kulijanav sisters, Koba accuses Chernomazov; 1906 recruits Nato to newspaper: GF IML 8.2.1.15.266–72, Natalia Dondarov (Azarian). Keke.

6.
First day of school: GF IML 8.2.1.24, V. Ketskhoveli; GF IML 8.2.1.41, I. Razmadze; RGASPI 558.4.665, S. P. Gogchilidze. Chintz bag:
Molodaya Gvardiya
no. 12, 1939, pp. 35–37. Iremashvili, pp. 4–7. Keke.

7.
Keke. Versions of carriage accident: Ostrovsky, p. 89. Game of carriage chicken: Suliashvili, p. 9. Quack:
Alliluyev Memoirs
, p. 189. Stalin jumping: RGASPI 558.4.665, Peter Kapanadze. GF IML 8.2.1.10.23–47, Simon Gogchilidze. GF IML 8.2.1.9, Anna Nikitin-Geladze. Blue coat, red scarf, freckles: GF IML 8.2.1.9, Grisha Glurjidze.

8.
GF IML 8.2.1.54, Kote Charkviani. Keke.

3 · BRAWLERS, WRESTLERS AND CHOIRBOYS

1.
Stalin’s home: Iremashvili, pp. 8–10. Plank bed: GF IML 8.2.1.10.23–47, Simon Gogchilidze. GF IML 8.2.1.15.266–72, Natalia Dondarov (Azarian). Keke.

2.
Picturesque and savage: Imam Raguza,
Stalin
, p. 23. Ostrovsky, p. 90. Davrichewy, pp. 78–79.

3.
Street culture: Raguza,
Stalin
, p. 23. Suliashvili, pp. 42–46. Z. Gulisov,
Materialy dela opisany mestnostey i plemen kavkazy
, Tiflis 1886. Stalin’s participation, B. Ivanter and A. Khakhonov, quoted in Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, pp. 29–32, 48–50. Keenoba: GF IML 8.2.1.49.185–210, Kote Khakhanashvili.

4.
How aristocrats lived: Simon Sidamon-Eristoff,
For My Grandchildren
, pp. 21–23. Prince Amilakhvari teaches Stalin swimming: Davrichewy, p. 70. Damage to aristocracy in Caucasus; 6 percent of population in Georgia as opposed to 1.4 percent in European Russia: Jones, pp. 1–29. Wrestling bouts, Stalin, Egnatashvilis: Charkviani, “Memoirs,” p. 3.

5.
Street fighter: GDMS 2.1955–148.1–11, Comrade Stalin in Gori Church School by Sandro Elisabedashvili (cousin of G. Elisabedashvili).

6.
Stalin gang and schoolboys. Catapulting the cows, naughty, running: RGASPI 558.4.665.14, G. Elisabedashvili, and fuller versions GDMS 1955–146.1–11, “My Memories of Comrade Stalin” by G. Elisabedashvili. Gangfights, Gorijvari, singing Suliko, calm and brutal, push to extremes: Davrichewy, pp. 82–84, 72–76, 45–49, 60–61. Amilakhvari’s gardens: Raguza,
Stalin
, pp. 34–35. Gori days, Eristavi’s gardens and swimming: David Papitashvili and commander and stone slinging, sultan and ministers and Georgian stories of Saakadze and others, A. M. Tsikhatatrashvili, all in Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, pp. 3–32. Wrestling schoolboys at castle: Suliashvili, p. 12. Kamo: Kamo’s sister Dzhavaira Khutulashvili, quoted in Kun, p. 75. Tough school of swimming: GDMS 2.1955–148.1–11, Sandro Elisabedashvili (cousin of G. Elisabedashvili). Like a fish: GF IML 8.2.1.49.185–210, Kote Khakhanashvili. Wounded arm, beaten up, when Soso grows up to be a priest: GF IML 8.2.1.10.23–47, Simon Gogchilidze. Stalin beats up sneak, devoted friend: GF IML 8.2.1.54.202–15, Kote Charkviani. Explosions and catapults: GF IML 8.2.1.226–39, Petre Adamashvili. Wrestling with Tito: Montefiore, p. 470.

7.
School: Stalin gains a year: RGASPI 558.4.669, P. Kapanadze. Keke. Strong will, always with a book, painting, Greek, improve yourself: GF IML 8.2.1.226–39, Petre Adamashvili. A. Gogebashvili, in charge of Psalms, and Gendarme, quoted in Ostrovsky, pp. 91–99. Stalin best pupil: Suliashvili, p. 13; and Lavrov in uniform, Russian language, pp. 16–23. Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, pp. 35, 42, 51–58. Poems at Gori: GDMS 3(1).1955–146.1–20, “My Memories of Comrade Stalin,” by G. Elisabedashvili. Stalin threatens Lavrov with death: GDMS 2.1955–148.9–11, “Comrade Stalin at Gori Church School,” by Sandro Elisabedashvili. Beautiful alto and Shakespearean comedy: GF IML 8.2.1.49.185–210, Kote Khakhanashvili. Psalm prize, people attend weddings just to hear Stalin, grand manner, protest: GF IML 8.2.1.10.23–47, Simon Gogchilidze. GF IML 8.2.1.54.202–15, Kote Charkviani. Books in belt: GF IML 8.2.1.9, Ivan Geldiashvili. Be prepared: RGASPI 558.11.778.45, Stalin to Ordzhonikidze.

4 · A HANGING IN GORI

1.
Keke. RGASPI 558.4.662. Kun, p. 11. “Don’t worry, Mummy”: Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, p. 37. Accident: GF IML 8.2.1.10 S. P. Gogchilidze. “Detskie i scholy gody Iosefa Vissarionovicha Dzhugashvili”: GF IML 8.2.6.306. “Sore legs”—J. Djugashvili to rector of seminary, 15 Nov. 1897: RGASPI 558.4.32. Geza: RGASPI 558.4.665, G. Elisabedashvili; also GDMS.

2.
Adelkhanov incident in Tiflis: Keke, and also interview with
Pravda
, 27 Oct. 1935. RGASPI 558.4.655, S. P. Gogchilidze. See also
Molodaya Gvardiya
no. 12, 1939, pp. 43–45: Beso’s words recalled by S. P. Gogchilidze and Masho Abramidze—how Egnatashvili tried to persuade Beso. The Adelkhanov factory: Service,
Stalin
, p. 24. Stink: M. Isaev in Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, p. 45. The seminal moment, “If Beso had prevailed, no Stalin”: the phrase is that of Service,
Stalin
, p. 25. Letters mention me: GF IML 8.2.1.10.23–47, Simon Gogchilidze. Year off: GF IML 8.6.306.

3.
House on Sobornaya Street; Stalin’s rebellion: Iremashvili, pp. 7–10. Work for Beliaev: RGASPI 71.10.273. Joins Kulijanav sisters: Keke. Expulsion from school, scholarship, high marks: RGASPI 71.10.275. See also RGASPI 558.4.655, G. Elisabedashvili, and RGASPI 558.4.243, S. P. Gogchilidze. Scholarship: Ostrovsky, pp. 96–97. Pneumonia and scholarship doubled: GDMS 89, A. Gogebashvili. Reading, books, writing: Suliashvili, p. 15. Memoirs of Mikha Davitashvili, G. Parkadze and Grisha Glurjidze: RGASPI 558.4.651 and GF IML 8.2.1.9. Influence of Z. Davitashvili: letter, E. Djugashvili to Z. Davitashvili, 15 Sept. 1927, quoted in Ostrovsky, p. 93. Social improvement ambitions and influence of father’s stories of bandits like Arsene Odzelashvili: RGASPI 558.4.655, G. Elisabedashvili. Reading all night and influence of Lado Ketskhoveli, book subscription, Darwin, doubts about God: memoirs of G. Glurjidze, P. Kapanadze, G. Elisabedashvili and Demna Shengelaya, quoted in Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, pp. 50–54.

4.
Charkviani girl in love: GDMS 3(1).1955–146.1–20, “My Memories of Comrade Stalin,” by G. Elisabedashvili. Stalin on the sister—she was thirteen and he may have been much younger than her: Charkviani, “Memoirs.”

5.
Hanging: Grigory Razmadze, Suliashvili, p. 20. G. Glebov, “Ocherk A. M. Gorkogo o Gori,”
Zaria Vostoka
no. 223, quoting Peter Kapanadze on 28 Sept. 1939, and article from
Novoe Obrezrenie
, 15 Feb. 1892; Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, pp. 48–50.A.M. Gorky,
Nejegorodsky Listok
, 26 Nov. 1896.

6.
This account of Stalin’s enrolment at the seminary is based on Keke, GF IML 8.2.15.2–15. Exam results at church school: RGASPI 71.10.275. Keke’s efforts, exams, offers, fees: GF IML 8.2.1.10 and RGASPI 558.4.665, S. P. Gogchelidze. RGASPI 558.4.61. On fees of 140 roubles per annum: Ostrovsky, pp. 108–10. On entrance enrolment: RGASPI 558.4.10. Tucker,
Stalin as Revolutionary
(henceforth Tucker), pp. 80–82. Encouraged to denounce other students: see Smith, p. 37. Help from Egnatashvili: author’s interview with Guram Ratishvili, grandson, Tbilisi. Help with “famous Princess Baratov” and fees from Davrichewy: Davrichewy, p. 31.

5 · THE POET AND THE PRIESTHOOD

1.
Keke. Routine: Domentii Gogokhia,
Molodya Gvardiya
no. 12, 1939, p. 65. RGASPI 558.4.665, G. Parkadze. Jones, pp. 51–52. Kun, pp. 21–31. Philip Makharadze,
Ocherki revoliutsionnogo dvizheniya v Zakavkazi
, pp. 57–58. Tucker, pp. 82–83. Service,
Stalin
, pp. 33–37. Marks: RGASPI 558.4.17, 558.4.48, 558.4.665, 558.1.4326, 558.3.25. Trotsky,
Stalin
, p. 10. Stalin changed, pensive: V. Ketskhoveli in
Literaturnii Kritik
no. 12, 1939, pp. 103–5. Calm: GF IML 8.2.1.12, Said Devdariani.

2.
Father: Charkviani, “Memoirs.” Choir: RGASPI 71.10.404. Father sees rector and Stalin’s attitude: GDMS 3(1).1955–146.1–20, “My Memories of Comrade Stalin,” by G. Elisabedashvili. Keke at seminary: GF IML 8.6.306.

3.
Humiliating, ransacking of boxes: Stalin to Ludwig in Stalin,
Sochineniya
, 3:113–14. Good marks: RGASPI 558.4.30 and 37. Atheist in first year, Simon Natroshvili story, five roubles for singing in choir: Charkviani, “Memoirs.” Poet, burning eyes: Lev Kotyukov, “The Forgotten Poet Josef Djugashvili,”
Zavtra
no. 41 (46), 1994.

6 · THE “YOUNG MAN WITH THE BURNING EYES”

1.
Analysis and quotations of Stalin’s poetry are based on Donald Rayfield’s translations and criticism in
PN Review
, vol. 44, 1984, pp. 45–47. I must also thank Professor Rayfield for his personal guidance. Giving up poetry: Stalin to Levan Shaumian, Kun, p. 4. Stalin welcomed by cultural elite: Service,
Stalin
, p. 40. Kotyukov, “The Forgotten Poet Josef Djugashvili.” Mandelstam, Pasternak: Montefiore, pp. 117–18.

2.
Tiflis, porridge of peoples: Jones, pp. 159–63. Lima and Bombay: Jones’s description, p. 81. Tiflis:
Baedeker
, pp. 465–71. Founding of Mesame Dasi,
Kvali:
Jones, pp. 49–50, 66–70. GF IML 8.2.1.9, Anna Nikitin-Geladze.

3.
Books: GF IML 8.2.1.9, G. Glurjidze. From Stalin, Tolstoy, etc., G. Glurjidze, G. Parkadze, G. Glenov, quoted in Kaminsky-Vereshchagin, pp. 66–71. Stole from bookshop: M. Chaureli in
Vstrechi s tov. Stalinym
, pp. 156–57. Hugo’s
1893
hero and
Vanity Fair
, see Tucker, pp. 85–87, 132. Nekrasov and Chernyshevsky: Radzinsky,
Alexander II
, pp. 91 and 157–60. Dostoevsky: Rayfield,
Stalin and the Hangmen
, p. 22. Gogol, Saltykov, Shakespeare, Maupassant, etc.: A. A. Gromyko,
Memoirs
, p. 101. Beria, p. 143. Stalin, Gogol: Stalin,
Works
, 1:151. By heart: K. Voroshilov,
Rasskazy o zhizhni
, p. 247. Seminary reading, woodpile, inquisitor Abashidze, reading at night in church: Iremashvili, pp. 19–21. Punishments: RGASPI 558.4.48, 665 and 53. GF IML 8.2.1.12.176–83, Said Devdariani.