The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-02-02

an old chapel. The origin is un.
known.
Old Saalfeld was the noteworthy
boundary city of Thuringen, and
was known and fortified by Duke
Rudolph, of Thuringen, in the year
634-4O. Even Charles the Great
admired the location of this city SO
much, that after his victory over the
Sorbes in S06, he improved and
strengthened the place much. In
874 this place and the Sorbenburg
was taken by Ludwig, the German,
who resided here. Again in 925 as
King Henry 1. came here to hunt, he
took fancy to this place, took ii
and surrounded it with double dit
ches and high walls, and 81 towers,
some Of which remain standing al
the present day. ItWss here where
those rough but customary tourna-
ments were held, among the warlike
knights. 1t became a place of note
from the many important courts and
gatherings of a remarkable nature
which were held here. In 1899 and
1902, the castle was destroyed, but
again rebuild by Herman of Thu.
ringen, who used it as a robber-
castle, and for this reson it was de-
stroyed by order of Rudolph OF
Hapsburg. But four towers re.
mained standing, of which two were
torn down in 1856, to furnish stone
for the old bridge. In 1850 the cas-.
tie became private property, and re
mains so. Many were the sufferings
of this brave old city by fire, water
and plunder, contenting hosts and
elements, but especially in 16l9-5O
by the 80 year war. In 1910 $4,000
warriors, under Duke Leopold en-
camped within and aroud the city.
In 1892 to 1915, the city again suf-
fered much, especially,by the French
in 1906, who plundered and destroyed
much. Afterward a terrible epidem-
ic of typhus desolated the city and
country in 1917. But since then,
she has enjoyed comparative peace
and considerable'prosperity in her
large manufactures, agriculture and
other enterprises, which has raised
Saslfeld to a state of eminence and
wealth, to which this new rairoad
will add much.
Having exhausted the wonders of
hereabouts, we started for the great
battlefield, where the great battle was
fought between French and Prus-
slams in 1906, so disastrous to the
latter, who lost their commander,
Prince Ferdinand Louis. A fine
monument is erected on the spot
where the Prince died. On the spot
where he received his wound, plain
stone is erected, under large linden
tree, which bears the following in
scriction:
"Here fell, fighting for his thankful fatherland,
Prince Louis Ferdinand, Of Prussia, October %,
1906"
A little further, we came to another
finer monument of bronze, 26 feet
high, resting on q marble base and
bearing the same inscription. tire
presents Geuir, with crossed legs,
the right hand pointing to heaven,
while the left holds a laurel wreath.
The face mournfully turns to the
place where the Prince received his
death wound. Behind lies a Tyre
with broken strings, to indicate the
lost musical talents of the Prince,
which were great. As the story of
his death may be interesting to some
of your readers, will give it correct
" in short form.
GAS the Prince, on that eVentful
day, was endeavoring to restore Or
der among some of his flying
soldiers, he was recognized by his
comanding person and richly adorn-
ed uniform, by French officer. The
latter, anxious and ambitious for q
great deed, rode up to the Prince
and demanded his surrender. As it
had been ordered by the commander,
previous to the fight, not to accept
nor give quarter, the Frenchman, in
answer received a severe sabre cut
across the face, accompanied with an
insulting epishet. The Frenchman,
made furious, gave him a thrust in
to his chest and deep cut into his
head, but had to hy, on the approach
of some Prussian Hussars. One OF
the Princes staff attempted to rescue
him, and bleeding and fainting,
dragged him 60 stepts to the place
where the present monument stands,
where he was compelled to leave
him dying, in the hands Of his enc
mics. Two French Hussars robbed
him of his clothing, and the victor
took his papers and sword, which he
laid at the feet of the Great Hapole-
on, who, overJoyed at his victory and
result replied My friend you have
delivered yonr country from its
greatest enemy He promoted the
victor on the spot and showered 9th
er distinctions on him"
The body Of the Prince was
brought to SaaIfeld, embalmed be-
fore the altar in the Jonannis Church,
and buried with. knightly honors
within its vaults. In 1911 the body
was removed and deposited in the
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