Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-03
THE NEWS BY THE CHINA,
Execution of Franz Muller-The Murde,

OF MIR Briggs Confessed by Muller.
The China's mail brings the particulars of
the execution of Franz Muller for the murder
Of Mr.. Briggs.
MULLRR's CONFESSION.
The following are published as the precise
words of the final con versation between Null
ler and DIR. Cappel, Minister Of the German
Lutheran Church
genblicken stehen Sic vor Gott; ich frage Sic
nochmals, und yum letzen male: Sind Sic
schuldig oder unschuldig Muller-Ich bin
unschnldig. DR.. Cappel-Sie sind unschul-
dig! Muller-Gott weiss was ich gethan habe.
Dr Cappel-Gott weiss was Sic gethan haben
weiss er auch, dass Sic dies Verbrechen
gethan."
TRANSLATION.
Dr. Cappel - Muller, in few minutes
you will stand before God; 1 ask YOU again
cent!
Muller-I am innocent.
DIR. Cappel-You are inpocentl
Muller-God knows what 1 have done
Dr. Cappel = God knows what Won have
done. Does ne know also that you have COM
mltted this crimel
Muller-YeS, 1 did 1t.
MULLER's LAST MOMENTS
.or Dr: Gappel writes to London paper the
following account of Muller's last moments:
"Soon after entering his cell on the last
morning asked Muller again whether he was
gulity OF this murder. He denied it. / then
said, Muller, the moments are precious. we
must turn onr minds wholly to God: / SHAH
questlon you no more about this, but my last
WORDS TO you will be, Are You innocent!'
lie renamed silent for minute or two, but
presently exclaimed, his eyes full of tears and
claspl ng his arms round my neck, Do not for
sake me; stay with me to the last was so
struck with this that consulted with Mr
Jonas, the governor, whether the final oues-
uon should be put in the pinioning. room or on
the seafold. We decided for the latter
NY own nrm conviction, derived from the
closest personal intercourse with the prisoner,
is tnat murder was not premedtated; but that
muller, In want OF morey, and Welding to a.
suooen temptation, attacked his victim for the
SAKE OF robbery, and finished, In the despair OF
the moment, by killing him either with his
own hands or causing his fall from the rail-
way carriage. | recellect particularly on one
occasion, when represented to him the crime
as nKely TO nave taken place in this way, he
answered not, but gaZed at me intently, and
impressed me at the time with the belief or the
correctness OF my suppostion.
81 generally observed that Muller was most
earnest in protesting his innocence when di-
rectly charged with murder. Statements such
as never having been in North London rail-
way train he made only in answer to pointed
questions, and, it seems, in order not to contra
dict previous similar assertions. His manner
simple, gentle, and apparently open and truth.
ful-Was such as easily to deceive even expert
enced Observers, and the wonderful self.pos.
session OF this most remarkable character was
never more strikingly manifested than by his
fencing with words, the rope round his neck
and the white cap over his face, when about to
confess MS guilt at the very last moment
LIS ioSe tWo were all peace and
prayer. He repeated what he had said bsfore,
.If l had died six months ago should have
peen lost but now l entirely rely on Gods
mercy: have done with the world, and am
ready to leave it, He stated all recent events
mad at times appeared to him like q vision or a
dream, adding that he had passed in solitude
through many terrible hours since his arrest in
America. He was full of meekness and resie-
nation, forgave freely all his enemies, ouested
me to write to his father that he should die a
happy and repep tant man"
Advices from Germany report grear excite.
ment on account Of the execution of MuJisr
The conduct OF the British Government was
bitterly denounced, and it was Thought At Rer
lin that there was danger for time OF an attack
ON the British Legation. The German people
l1rmly believed in Muller's innocence ce. The first
accounts puolished at Berlin of the execution
made no allusion to Mulleris Confession, but ft
was subsequently announced, and OF course
had tranquilizing effect.