The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-09-10
THE MUTE WITNESS,
OR, THE DOG AND THE ASSASSIN.
ny MRS. @. A. soULE.


While travelling in 1887 through the beau
tiful city of Leipzig, observed, about half
league from the gates of the town, a few rods
from the highway, a wheel and the bones of
chained corpse exposed to the gaze Of every
passer.
The following is the history of that crimi-
nal, as l learned it from the lips Of the Judge
who conducted the trial, and condemned him
to be broken alive.
A German butcher being benighted in the
midst of forest, lost his way, and while en-
deavoring to gain the road, was attacked by
three highwaymen. He was on horseback and
accompanied by large dog. One of the rob.
bers seized the horse BY the briddle, while the
two others dragged the butcher from the sad
die and felled him. The dog leaped immedi-
ately upon one of them and strangled him;
but the other wounded the animal so severe
ly that he rushed into the thickct uttering
the most fearful howls. The butcher, who by
this time had dsengaged himself from the
grasp of the second robber, drew his knife and
| killed him. But at the same moment he re-
ceved a shot from the pistol Of the third, who
had Just wounded the dog, and falling, was
despatched by the thief, who found upon him
a large sum in gold, silver watch, and few
other articles Of value. He plundered the
corpse, leaped upon the horse and fled.
The next morning two woodcutters, happen
ing in that path, were surprised to find three
dead bodies and large dog, who seemed to
be guarding them. They examined them and
endeavored to restore life, but in vain. One
of them dressed the wounds Of the dog, gave
him some food, and sought some water for him,
while the other fastened to the nearest village
to inform the magistrate OF their discovery
The officer, ACCOMPANIED by several atten-
dants, was soon on the spot a surgeon exam
incd the wounds of the three bodies; they
drew up a verbal process and inferred them.
The dog dragged himself, in the the course
| Of the night when all was quiet, to the corpse
OF his master, where he was found the next
morning. He allowed his new friends to dress
his wounds, and as if foreseeing that he must
consent 10 live that he might one day avenge
the murdered, he ate and drank, but would
not leave the spot. He looked on quietly
while they dug the grave, and allowed them to
bury the bodies; but as soon as the turf was
placed, he stretched himself upon it, hOwled
mournfully, and resisted all the efforts Of the
bystanders to induce him to move. lie snap
ped at all who came near him, except the
woodman, who had tended him. He bore his
caresses, but no sooner did the man attempt to
take his paws to remove him from the grave,
than he gnashed his teeth, aud would have
wounded him severely, If he had not quickly
fled. Every one admired the fidelity Of the
dog, and when the woodman offered to carry
him food and drink every day, that he might
not perish, the magistrate proposed taking up
collection to remunerate the man, who was
poor, and the father Of a large family. With
difficulty he was induced to accept the money;
but finally he did, and from that moment bur-
dened himself with the care Of his new PEN
siOner.
The details of this horrible event were pub
lished in the principal journals of the country
J. Meyer, a brother OF the butcher, reading
some time afterwards, the advertisement Of
the magistrate, fastened instantly to his pre-
sence, saying he had fears which he believed
now, were only too well founded, that his
brother had fallen into the hands Of robbers
as he had left LONE with large sum in gold
for the purchase of beeyes, and had not since
been heard from. His suspicious were only
too SADLY confirmed, when the magistrate
related to him the singular conduct OF a dog
which he described. VI. Meyer, accompanied
by the officer and several others, repaired tC
the grave. As soon as the dog perceived hi!
MASTER brother, he hOwled, Tapped his hands
and evinced numerous other demons trations o
grief and JOY. BY different parts Of his dress
NJ. Meyer recognized the body Of his brother
! when they disinterred it. The absence o.
his watch, the wounds of the butcher and hi
uOSs LlOsC Vi IuG TWO OtlBF DOulG5, JOgeLlC
L with the disappearance of the horse, convinced
i the magistrate and the witnesses that the de
ceased had not only been assailed by the two
i but also by one Or several others, who had fle
8 with the horse and the plunder.
Having obtained permission, M. Meyer re
r: moved his brothers. corpse to his native vii
n lage and inferred it in the adjoining GENE
e terry. The faithful dog followed the body
e but by degrees became attached to his ne,
al master.
% Every effort was made by the most diligen
B. search and the offer Of immense rewards, t
e discover the Culprits. But in vain; the hor
" rible tragedy remained an enigma.
Two years had passed away, and all hope q
q solving the mystery vanished, when NJ. Meve
d received letter, urging him to repair with
g out delay to Lepsig, to close the eyes of hi
ID maternal uncle, who desired to see him befor
le he died. He Immediately hastened thitheI
Sc accompanied by his brothers dog, who was hi
/ companion at all times. He arrived too late
N His relative had deceased the previous even
as ing, bequeathing him a large fortune. II
re found the city crowded, it being the season {
Y, the great fair held regularly there twice
e. year.
at While walking one morning on the publ
Id square, attended as usual by his dog, he wa
4 astonished to behold the animal suddenly rus
ID forward like flash. lie dashed through tn
T. crowd and leaped furiously upon an elegant
ly dressed young man, who was seated in III
rs centre Of the square upon an elegant platform
: erected for the use of those spectators who dc
20 sired more conveniently to witness the popu
o lar show. He held him by the throat with !
,t firm grasp, that he would soon have stranq
ar led him, had not aid been instantly rendered
i They Immediately chained the dog, and think
: ing of course that he must be mad, strove
: kill him. But NJ. Meyer, rushing throug
the crowd, arrived in time to rescue his faitf
Il full friend, calling eagerly in the meantim
upon the bystanders to arrest that man, for /
!, believed his dog had recognized in him ii
v murderer Of his brother.
!. Before he had time to explain himself, IL
+ young man, prOfiting by the tumult, ESCAPED