The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-06-15
Romantic Incidents in the Life OF
GOtfried kinkcl.

in that city, t. indulge in the follow
ing "reminiscences 0prOpoS of his event
full history, in which are brought ont
some strange and interesting facts
concerning Gen. Carl Schurz No ro-
nance could be more thrilling or
interesting.
When the Revolution of 1913 broke
out, kinkel was a Professor at the
University of Bon, and his strong
democratic opinions induced him to
take a prominent part in the struggle.
He fought, was made prisoner by the
royal authorities, was tried for trea-
son, and was sentenced to many years
Imprisonment at hard labor.
Among Krnkel's companions at this
time was young student, not yet 20
years of age, namad Carl Schurz who
was also captured, tried by codrt-
martial, and sentenced to be shot
Schurz, however, more fortunate than
his Professor, succeeded in escaping
across the French frontier, and was
safe. Kinkel was sent to common
prison, placed among criminals of the
shoes. Young Germany, still tremb-
ling with the eXcitements Of the re-
cent Revolution, learned with indig-
nation the treatment inflicted upon
the eminent poet and scholar, and
numerous petitions were sent to the
Prussian Government, praying that
his situation might be ameliorated
To all this the authorities paid no at
tention whatever, the protestations
ceased, and kinkel seemed likely to
be abandoned by his friends.
There was one, however, who did
not desert him Carl Schulz left Paris,
disguised himself in rags, and, defy
ing the scaffold, re. entered Prussia,
with an organ on his back. In the
day, he begged his bread on the high
road; at night, he laid aside his organ,
and visited the abodos of his former
companions and the friends of Ger
man liberty, to endeavor to reawaken
their interest IN the fate Of the i'm
prisoned patriot. In this way he
travelled 800 leagues on foot, playing
the organ through many towns and
villages carefully maturing his plans,
and sleeping in barns or under he'd
ges. On one occasion he was stopped
by two Prussian gens-d 'armes, who
inquired where he was going.
To the neighboring town. replied
Schurz
Would you like to earn handful
Of pfennings?" asked the others
Certainly"
Very well; come with us to our
barracks. We intend to give a dance
this evening, and the airs of your or
gan will suit our purpose exactly"
1t was impossible to decline the
offer of the soldiers without exacting
suspicion; SO Schurz accepted, with a
great sho@ of gratitude, and during
the whole night ground out waltzes
and quadrilles for battalion of gems
d'armes. Leaving, undiscovered, the
dangerous society of the military po-
lice, young Schurz continued his
Journey, and n short time subsequent
~ information reached him that Kink-
els prison had been changed. He
was now incarcerated at Spandau,
and placed under the personal super
vision Of the prison director
Late one night. when the streets
had become deserted, post-chaise,
escorted by guard of four dragons,
drove rapidly through the town of
Spandau, and halted before the prison
An officer in the uniform of Colonel
of the Royal Guard alighted from the
vehicle, and was soon In the presence
of the director, into whose hands he
placed letter from the Minister of
the Interior at Berlin, and bearing the
official seal. Receiving the packet
with the respect due to communica-
ton from the Kings Minister, the di-
rector opened the important missive,
and read as follows;
"a deep-laid plot has been orga-
nized at Berlin, the object of which is
to effect the forcible release of the
convict Kinkel from the hands OF the
authorities. We are now watching
the movements of the conspirators,
and are preparing to arrest them. In
Oidtii lONSfti, w liShSHb thc PCooA
bility of surprise, the bearer Of the
present letter, Colonel, is COM
handed to take charge of your prison
err, whom he will Immediately conduct
to the citadel of Magdebourg, and
place him in the hands of the COVER
nor of that fortress,
Upon reading this ministerial in
junction, the director of the Spandau
prison at once had the unfortunate
Kinkel awakened, caused him to be
securely ironed and placed in the
post-chaise, which set oil on the road
to Magdeburg, accompanied by the
Colonel and the four dragons, who
rode with drawn sabres. All night
long they travelled at rapid speed
fresh horses were instantly furnished
at each relay, the Colonels demand
being accompanied by the magical ex-
preston, "the Kings service" The
unhappy prisoner couched in cor
nor of the vehicle, cared not what
might be his fate-Germany had for
gotten him, and nothing could be
worse than the noisome dungeon at
Spandau. Morning came ut last, a
gray winters dawn, and the carriage
Stained The Colonel himself opened