The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-09-02
HORRIBLE FANATICISM.

rative of the Atrocities committed in the
Canton of Zurich, in 1928, BY a Fanatcal
Association" The details are Of SO horri-
bic nature, that one would be led todiscred-
it their authenticity, had they not been pub
licly and jurisdically proved before the tri-
bunals of Zarich. The following is an alb
stract of the principal facts In the nor
thern part of the Canton of Zurich is a little
village, or hamlet, named Weldcnbuch, the
inhabitants of which amounting to about
five and twenty families, are employed in
agriculture. Amongst these, the family Of
Jean Peter was considered to be the most
prosperous and happy, until the deplorablc
event which has plunged them in misery and
ignominy. Marguerite Peter, aged twenty
eight years, one of the six children Of Jean
Peter, had acquired for some years back,
amongst the fanatics of the country rcpu-
taton for sanctity. She was considered a
woman endowded with supernatural l,nowl-
edge, and intrlsted with mission from hea-
vcnto relume the torch of faith..-lier natnl-
al enthusiastic temperament had been cxcit
cd and nourished by the prcachings Of certain
itlncrante missionaries to such pitch, rs to
give her, in the ignorant eyes of those around
her, an air OF inspiraton--By this means She
had inscnsibly acquired most unboundcd
influence over her father, her brothers, Sis
ters, and servants, and had even succeed
ed in forming numerous assemblies of per-
sons of both sexes and all ages. who in these
pious orgies, delivered themselves up Is the
most revolving practices that folly and sll-
pefstltion can suggest.
On the 18TH Of March, 1928. al : o'clock
IN the morning, the neighbours of Jean Peter
were surprised to find, contrary to his usual
early hapits, his house closed, and the win
dows carefully blinded on the inside-On
approaching they heard noise, as if pro-
ceeding from violent blows of hatchet
mingled with the confused cries Of various
persons, and at length they heard the follow
ing exclamations--" Invoke all the angels
above Invoke all the holy prophets I'm
plore the aid Of all;seraphims Courage strike
1t is villian-it is a murderer-strike vigor-
ously "-These strange sounds and rxclama-
tions continued until two o'clock and were
succeeded by perfect silence, which lasted
until nine o'clock, in the evening, when the
same sounds recommended and continued
until midnight, when a profound silence en-
sued. At ten o'clock the next morning these
lugubrious noises and exclamatons again be-
began, and the neighbours could distinctly
hear the blows OF hatchet as they were struck
against the beams and posts of tie house
AT two o'clock the noise became so loud and
furious, particularly from the upper story,
that all the inhabitants of the villages gather
ed rsund the house, but none Of them dared
to approach, for fear of a formidable watch
dog, chained near the door. At half past
seven O'Clock the noise ceased, but recom-
menced at midnight with rcdoubled violence
From Peters bedchamber the voices Of men
and women were heard CRYING out, Have
pity on US l--succour us God all powerful -
deliver us--strike-it is villain, SSc.' After
in vain Sommoning those inside to open the
door, the baillie ordered one of tho windows
to be burst in, and on light being introduced
through it, there were seen five men leaning
against the door to prevent it being forced
open, man apparently dead was lying on
his face OH the floor, a group of men and wo-
men lying upon each other near the door,
and close to them women upon her knees,
who was slapping with the palm Of her hand
the body OF the man stretched on the floor,
and exclaiming at each slap" Have pity,
have pity !"
On the door being forced open, the men
urged on by the women, ehdeavourea TO re-
sist the gen d'armes whilst Marguerite Peter
continued to slap woman near her, Crving
out, Have pity, Lord !" Two men and two
women were then discovered lying il such 4
manner upon the ground, that the head OF 4
man was i'll the lap of woman, and the head
OF woman in the lap of man. The Gen
d'armes being ordered to lead Peter olt Of
the room, the men and women Joined in re-
sisting them, but when, III spite OF their
efforts he was brought out to the porch of the
house, they all hung upon him drew him to
the ground, and formed a circle round him
all closely hugging and embracing each other.
When Peter attempted to answer the oucs-
tions of the Magistrate, his daughter Malp,l-
erite raised her voice, and said to him--'s Fa-
ther, do not answer him, continue only I'd
pray" She then added Let us die. shall
quit this life like Christ" The others Chin
ed in with Lord deliver us Lord have
pity on us"--The Baille seeing that it was
in vain to attempt bringing them to reason a,
that moment, ordered them to be left in The
porch OF their house, and told the crowd IL
retire gen d'armes being placed in front O
the house. At four O'clock in the morning
OF Friday, the 18th, they appeared to be
somewhat Gained, and at their request were
permitted to enter the house. This was how
ever only deceitful calm, for on their beine
left alone, Marguerite Peter ordered the
prayers to recommence, 10 prevent as she
said, "Satan getting a victory over Icsns
CHRIST" Theseprayers were continu ed with.
out interruption till about seven o'clock or
Saturday morning.
At 10 O'Clock the same day, a great mum.
Der OF persons, many of whom had been spe.
cially sent for by Marguerite had assem-.
hled in the house. Marguerite made then
ascend into one of the upper rooms. md thor,