Laukkuryssä

Inhabitants of the northern part of White Karelia sought extra income by fishing on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, and those living in the south went peddling into the Grand Duchy of Finland.

[7] The officials sharpened up in winter 1899 as the "laukkuryssäs" were found to spread baseless rumours in the countryside that the February Manifesto would lead to enactment of "Russian law" and a general land reform to the benefit of the steadless people in Finland.

Many people suspected that either the Russian government, the hated Governor-General of Finland Nikolay Bobrikov or some other party had organised the peddlers to spread rumours in order to gain support for Russification politics.

[5] "Laukkuryssäs" who had returned to their homelands held meetings in Vuokkiniemi, Kivijärvi and Uhtua in May to June 1899 drafting appeals to Governor-General Bobrikov to allow them to practice trade in Finland legally.

[5] The peddling trade grew less financially profitable starting from the late 19th century because of establishment of countryside stores.