Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-11-26
The Women Of SchOrnd0rE.


In the southwest portion Of Germany
is the village of Schorndorf Although
now little more than mere postal sta
ton, it was formerly one of the strongest
fortified towns of Northern Swabia, and
the pride of the beautiful valley of the
Rems.
After the treaty of Westphalia when
the Bishoprics of Metz, Tul and Verdan
were ceded to France, the idea entered
into the French mind to search carefully
through the public records for the names
of all towns and cities which during any
former period had been the property of
either of the three Bishoprics, and to de-
mand them from Germany as portion
of the rightful spoils. Although this
preposterous demand failed to be pre-
sented in its original shape, it led to a
series of aggressions which finally cul-
minated in that devastation of the Pals
in 1888 and 1889 by the French armies
under the direction of Montclas cad
Melac.
Mannheim, Rastaat, Baden, Heldel-
berg and many other places were already
in ruins, and the French forces were
rapidly advancing toward the boundaries
of Swabia, their thirst for robbery and
destruction increasing with every step
The Government of Wurtemburg, in
the hope of saving Stuttgart, delivered
all the towns of Northern Swabia into
the enemy's hands, and the only fortif-
cation which had not been destroyed by
the French troops was that of Schorn-
dorf, to which the people looked as a
last hope.
The French commander sat confident
ly in his camp at Esslingen, laying plans
for his winter quarters in Wurtemburg
The Royal Commissioners had already
left Stuttgart to give orders to Schorn-
dOrf to fling open its gates to the invad-
ing host, and the French gave little heed
to this last stronghold Of the Wurtem-
burg Government, so sure were they Of
its speedy surrender. But exactly at
this point was the invading army to meet
its check; for within the walls OF Schosn-
dorf WIS a determined man, and, what
was still more important, determined
woman!
The man was the commander Of the
Notifications, Peter Krummhaar. AL
though he had received the royal com
mand to make q slight show of resist
ance, and then surrender the city, he re-
fused to obey.
AT length special messenger ap-
peared from Stuttgart stating that the
French commander had given orders to
burn the royal residence and take i'm
mediate possession of the city, unless
Schorndorf complied with the demands
made upon it. But, in spite of all de-
mands and orders, Krummhaar remained
firm. He had strengthened his forces
by drawing in large numbers of patriotic
villagers from the surrounding country,
and was determined to hold out until the
imperial army arrived. But treachery
and cowardice were so rampant in the
highest places that Krummhaar found
his strength growing less and less. At
length he summoned meeting In the
| Town Hall of all the officials and lead.
ing men, to consult upon the possibility
of continued defense.
Frau Kunkelin, the wife of the Mayor
of the city, was tall woman of about
| fifty years, whose word was law with all
the women in Schorndorf. OF firm,
| upright character, she had made herself
universally beloved and respected Her
patriotism was of that kind which al
lows nothing to stand in its path but
sacrifices everything to the beloved coun-
try. She suspected that the voice of the
City Fathers would be for surrender, and,
secretly following them to the council
hall, she hid herself to listen. As she
had feared, the patriotic determination
of Peter Krummhaar was overruled, and
the city doomed to fall like it's sisters.
Frau Kunkelin rushed wildly from the
hall. Sending messengers through the
town, she summoned all the women to
assemble before her, armed with what
ever they could lay hands on. 1--WE
have not laid up riches for these rascally
Frenchmen to live and grow fat on"
said she, "and Stuttgart will see that
Schorndorf will not be humbled in the
dust, like Tubingen and Asberg."
An army of women was soon assem-
bled. Armed with every conceivable
weapon, from broomstick TO sword,
they presented very strange appearance.
Then, with Frau Kunkelin ut their head,
they marched to the Town Hall, and
broke in Upon the solemn conclave of
their husbands. Frau Kunkelin, advanc-
ing toward the astonished City Fathers,
made them q speech, in which she called
upon them to protect their homes, clos
ing with these words, addressed to her
husband himself: ~ will kill you with
my own hand If you act the part of u
traitor"
After announcing their intentions,
the women proceeded to take possession
OF the Town Hall, and, organizing them
selves into companies, held strict guard
over the gates Of the city For two days
and three nights the town remained in the
hands of the women, the City Fathers,
"on pain of DEATH being compelled to
obey their commands. Meanwhile, Peter
Krummhaar was assisting the women in
every way. Every moment was step
toward salvation, for the imperial army
was rapidly approaching. The moral
effect, too, of this patriotic uprising Of