Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-23

Witnessed The police was sent for, aud mum
ber Of persons, with all dispatch, proceeded to
the mysterious spot which was pointed out by
the laborers. AT first it seemed as though the
men must have deceived themselves or were car
rying on practical joke, for at the spot indicated
there appeared TO be nothing like hole In the
earth, as the grass covered the ground oil round
about. On closer investigation, however, q tlii
was found in the grass in the form Of a square
1t was the top Of trap door covered with turl.
On forcing this open and descending, large
cavity was discovered, from which, however, the
late oocupiers had already fed.
The hole itself, which was rooted with trees
overlaid with turf, was divided into two rooms,
the walls lined with boards--a stove, two or three
beds, o ladder, victuals, aud cooking utensils be-
ing present, and making very snug under
ground dwelling. In addition to these articles,
there were present great quantities OF objects
identified as having been stolen from various
houses in the neighboring county, in which bur
glarious rObberies and murders have been com.
mitted Axes, fire arms, and other weapons,
as well as a considerable number OF thieves
tools, were likewise found.
The police now found themselves on the right
track Various circumstances-the description
given by the peasants Of the occupiers OF the
cavern, well as indications found in the cavern
i;self--led to the suspicion that the person so
seen was none other than the notorious work
/
tured to be the leader of the band Of robbers who
had so long infested the neghborhood. Against
him and his crew the search was henceforth
specially directed. Maasch had been for some
| time laborer on the estate of Deacon, near
Pyritz, in which neighborhood he was born. He
was never married, and had been published fire.
quenty for theft. He was q scoundrel Of the
lowest modes Of life, aud sprang from family
| hereditarily criminal He had Aed from che
place mentioned above on account Of the discov
cry of new thefts committed by him, and had not
been seen for several years. At first the efforts
oi the pulioe to take him were completely foiled.
and he was strenuously aided in his concealment
by the rest of the band, consisting for the most
part Of his family.
His mother and brother (hIariin) lived to-
gether at Solomon, Pritz, about six English miles
from the retreat in the forest. They and
Martins wife were speedily seized and thrown
into prison on suspicion. In their dwelling were
found an axe, on which traces of blood were still
discovered, and quantity Of articles belonging
to the same robberies as did those found in tho
hole in the woods; 80 that at length those that
had committed the Baumgart murder were in
the hands Of Justice, if we except their leader,
Karl Maasch. On microscopic examination of
the three axes from the hole, and the fourth
found at the house Of Martin, unmistakabletraces
of this horrid six-fold murder were perceived.
On one axe stuck small portion of human
brain on all four human hair, mingled with
cotied blood. The hair agreed completely with
that of the murdered persons, and that Of the
servant maid was identified with particular clear
ness.
On one Of the axes there still cluug red wool
len threads precisely similar to those Of the
material of which Mrs. Baumgart's nightcap was
made, and which she wore GU the night Of tht
murder Another axe still retained traces of tht
children's bedclothes The wife of Martin sealed
her guilt by hanging herself in prison, Rftel
having been accused Of participating in thi
Baumgart murders. The principal party, how.
ever, still remained at large. He had beer
driven from the Soldin country by the exertion
made to capture him. What, however, the polls
could not achieve with their utmost endeavors
was again left to be accomplished by q happ,
incident One beautiful summers evening
citizen of Frankfort-on the-Oder observed
; drunken man 10 the public streets behaving him
self in very shameless manner. On addressing
some words Of indignant remonstrance to him
n he received an answer of the very coarsest des
!, cription, and he was compelled TO call q polio
n sergeant
i Against the latter the stranger pointed load
n ed pistol He was, however, finally overpowere
a and taken to the lookup. quantity of armI
}. thieves tools and money were found on him, an
8 it appeared that in the earlier part of the ever
ing he had been treating several workmen, whoI
with copious potatons of brandy, and had hin
self become intoxicated He finally confesse
that he was the long sought Karl Maasch, an
had only just come from committing fres
murder and robbery, in which he had taken Il
money found on him. Near Hackelberg, tv
days before, commercial man had been shot j
:, the forest and robbed of his money! the hors
~ galloped on to the village of Haekelberg, draw
ing behind them the vehicle containing the lif
less body of the merchant Maasch, who col
fessed to this murder, was delivered up at Sold
to the authorities engaged in investigating IL
\, Bsumgart murder.
z" In the course of the trial not less than oil
hundred and forty witnesses were examined, al
great numbers of depositiOns were read, Ka
Maasch confessed to have committed the thirte
murders himself, and sought to have his fello
prisoners acquitted on this ground. II this T
quest seemed like the one bright srot in the co
duct Of the chief criminal, yet it was Of no av
against the proofs adduced, that three Of his col
rides at least had assisted him in one or mo
of his numerous murders. Karl and Mar
Maasch, their mother, and Liebig, were fou
guilty of murder and robbery, and condemned
death while the fifth prisoner, Kohlschmi
y. who was convicted of robbery only, escaped vi
several years Imprisonment.