South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1853-04-29
TIE MUTE WITNESS.
Or, The Dog and tie Assassin.
BY MRS. c. 4. SOrL:.

By MRS. c. /. sorL!:.
While travelling in 1887 through th,
beautiful city Of Leipzig, observed aLou,
halt league from the gate Of the town, Z
few rods from the highway, wheel and
the bones OF chained corpse exposed tc
the gaze OF the passer.
The following is the history of that Grim
inal, as learned it from the lips of the
judge who conducted the trial and con.
demned him to be brok. alive.
a German butcher being benighted ir
th midst Of forest, lost his way, and while
endeavoring TO gain the road, was attacked
by three hishwaymen. He was on horse
back, and accompanied by large dog
One Of the robbers seized the horse bv the
bride while the two others dragged the
butcher from his saddle and felIcd him.
The dog leaped Immediately upon one ol
them and sirangled him; but the other
wounded The animal so severely that he
rushed into ths tl,ickct, utlering the most
fearful howls. The butcher, who by this
time had disengagrd himself from the
grasp of the second roo&er drew his knife
and killed him. But the SAM r?oment he
received shot from the third, he who had
just wounded the dog, and falling, was
despatched by the thief, who found upon
him large sum in gold, silver watch
and few other articles Of value. lie
pl"ndered the corpse, leaped upon thu
horse and fled.
The next morning two wood cutters,
happening in that path, were surprised to
find three dend bodies, and a large dog,
who seemed 10 be guarding them. They
examined them and endeavored to restor.
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 his discovery.
The officer, accompanied BY several attend
ants, was soon on the spot surgeon ex-
amlned the wounds Of the three bodies.
they drew up verbal process and inferred
them.
The dog had dragged himself in The
course OF the night, when all was quiet, 10
the corpse Of his master, where he was
found The next morning. He allowed his
new friends to dress his wounds, and as if
foreseeins that he might one day revenge
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 replaced, he
stretched himself upon it, howlcd mourn
fully, and resisted all the efforts OF the by-
ISLANDERS 10 induce him to move. He 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 at
tempt to take his paw 10 remove him from
the grave than he gnashed his teeth, and
would have wounded him severely, if he
had not quickly fled. Every one admired
the fidelity of the dog and when the wood
man 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 large family. With diff
Guilty he was induced to accept the money;
but he finally did, and from that nome ut
burdencd himself with the care Of his new
pensioner.
The detai!s Of this horrible event were
published in the principle journal, of the
country. Mr.. Meyer, a brother Of the
butcher, reading some time afterwards the
the advertisement Of the magistrate, has
tened instantly TO his presence. sa wing he
had fears which were not only TOO weIi
founded, that bis brother had fallen into
the hands Of robbers, as he had left horne
with large sum Of moary in gold for the
In NF h.o kaI
heard from. His suspicious were only too
sadly confirmed when the magistrate re-
lated to him the singular conduct Of The
dog, which he described. Mr.. Meyer, at.
conpanied by the officer and several 9th
ers, repaired to the grave. as soon as the
dog perceived his masters 5rolhrr, he
howled, Tapped his hands and evinccd nu-
merous other demonstrations Of grief and
joy. BY different parts o! his dress, Mr..
Meyer recognized the body Of his brother
when they disinterred it, The absence
Of the gold and the watch, the wounds OF
The butcher and bis dog, those Of two other
bodies, together with the disappearance
of the horse, convinced The magistrate and
The witnesses that the deceased had moi,
only been a:sailcd by two, but also BY one
or several others, who had fed with the
horse and Plunder.
Having obt,insd permission, Mr.. Meyer
removed bis Brothers corpse to his native
village and inferred him in the adjoining
cemetery. The faithful dog followed the
body; out by degrees became attached 10
his new master.
Every effort was made by the most dill
gent search and the ofltr Of immense re-.
wards 10 discover the culprls. But in
vain; The horrible tragedy remained an
enigma.
Two years had passed away, when Mr..
NJ. received letter urging him TO repair
withou. delay 10 Leipzig to close the eyes
Of his maternal uncle, who desired 10 sec
him before he died. He Immediately has.
tened thitber accompanied by his brothers
dog, who was bis companion at all times.
He arrived too late. His relative had de-
ceased the previous evening, bsqueathng
him large fortune. He found the city
crowded, it being the season OF the great
fair held regularly there twice year.
While walking one day on the public
souare attended ac ,,eual by HE dor he