The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-05-13
RAVENNA, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1858


same shouts and execrations and threats
were renewed with doubled force. A mob
was about ID enter the church and ascend
the roof, threatening to throw him from 1t
into the street. Perceiving their intention,
he requested the multitude to listen to him
few moments. Having secured silence,
he stated his readiness to surrender him.
self to the authorities, and requested that Q
strong police force should be summoned t
take charge Of him, aud protect him from
violence. His wish had been ontiripated.--
Aposse Of police had been waiting for him,
and on his descent from the rdof he was ia.
ken into custody and conveyed to prison.
Contraty to the custom of those days
when persons were left to linger in prison
for weeks and months before the charges
against them we're investigated ArenG
Kirshner was conducted to the courthouse
and accused OF the wilful murder of his son /.
Numerous witnesses testified to the fact OF
his having repeatedly kicked his son, who
stood below him on the ladder, with his foot
on the headJ that the child was thus com.
PEELED to let 60 his hold of the ladder, and
was seen falling down upon the roof. end
from the roof upon the pavement, that the
accused, after having committed this act, look.
ed dround only once, and but for amomcnt, and
then proceeded with his work as if nothing
had hOprened. Having been asked by the
magistrate what he had say in answer to the
charge, he spoke as follows: ~
ut lie well known to you, sir, and every
one who hears me is aware of the fact, that
the occupation which pursue is attended
with great danger Of life and limb. Ny boy
bad ascended the ladder behind me for the
first time. Before he nscended, I told him
that provided he held fast to the ladder, and
looked up, he need not opprehend any dan.
GER for tho only danger that could threaten
him was dizziness. likewise told him the
least mis.ster, the least motion of the lsdder,
might make him lose his balance, and that
should he fnll, nothing could save his life.
"The distance from the street 20 the top
Of the steeple is very great, and an object
at that distance is seen so indistinctIy, THAI
not one Of the witnesses would be justified
in declaring on oath, that struck the boy
with my foot. But even were I to admit
this, could plead accident: I shall not put
in this plea; ] admit that | struck my poor
boy on the head with my foot; did it repeat
edly, did it Intentionally did it in order
that he might fnII from the ladder; and last.
ly, / did all this, knowing that he would be
killed. l did deprive my boy of. life, I did
SO Intentionally, but did it TO save my own
life.
"The boy followed me up the ladder, and
for time all went on we'll. / asked him
whether he kept his eyes fixed upon the top
Of the s'eeple, or was watching my proceed,
inga, and he told me he was. After whils
he t"ld me that he could see large number
of people standing in the market place. |
shuddered when heard him say SO, and
again commanded him to look upwards
What had dreaded, came to pass.
~ am giddy |" he exclaimed.
"Hold fast, and look up, for Gods sake !"
"My head swims. am afraid shall fall !"
was his answer.
~ now felt he was lost But as he said
this; lie Begged ME help him. How could
j! / felt his hand attempting to grasp one
Of my feet. Had he done so, must have
fallen. kicked him on the head as the on.
ly means to prevent myself from falling with
him, for could hot have protected or saved
him even at the sacrifice of My own life
Had been able to do SO, would have done
it cheerfully, but it was impossible. Had |
fallen, my wife would have becot:ie widow,
my nine children orphans. was bound to
preserve my life for the sake of my family,
and sacrifice one Of my children, to save my
own life, and my wife and family from pov.
erty. If / deserve punishment productive Of
suffering, that can only end with my exist
snce. II, in addition to this have incurred
the penalty Of the law, let the law have its
course. I did my duty, do yours. am re.
signed to the will of God" .-tt.
The wre!ched father delivered this speech,
frequently interrupted by his sighs and tears,
with which the audience mingled theirs.
Arend Kirshner was discharged; but was
forbidden from exercising his profession for
the rest Of his life. and was pensioned off by
the city. II