The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-07-21
Selfrt oStorp,ss
JACK THE FLA YBR-
The. Robber of the Rhine

=
|. @.& 2,"i1 37a OR, r. i.sG I.ae
The. Robber Of the Rhine.
| auf sad 80 ,f99r-. s-.ry ,E,r... .r,
| Schnider- Hannes, rs he was called on
the Rhine, figured in the beginning of
the present century, and in all .brigand
history stands foremost for his daring
and the fearfuloextent of his operations.
His history would fill a volume, and !
shall not attempt even synopsis Of
that. His antipathy to the Jewish sect
was remarkable, and he never missed an
opportunity to rob ortmaltreat any whom
he could reach. ~! .js-eya ncuiIgiH ng
He commenced his career very young,
and being intelligent and handsome, be-
came a fsvorite with the gentle sex, but
for wonder selected one, beautiful
girl named Julia Bloesus,. to whom he
remained constant, and who was equally
devoted to him until his arrest anC. exef
cutIon. .GumU3 eH,fG .Erme I,at
Anlexploit of his, showing somewhat
of his odd humor, is worthy a place
here s5One day he posted himself near q
public road with only two followers, He
soon saw q caravan OF, Hebrews ;apr
broaching, who came from fair at
Kreuznacht. Theyrywere forty Eve in
number, but all unarmed, and facing them
in the road with his two men, he ordered
them to halt. q ,i,l1.#g.f a5Is .s9p+fg
He was SO well known and so: dreaded
that he was instantly obeyeds soa. .6l l,hs.
| 1Hethen proceeded to, search them but
they were eithera poverty stricken set,
or had left their gold and silver behind
forsafety, for1he only found a few kreut-
zers on the whole pafty,TI So small, in
deed, was the booty that he. ,scorned !, 20
take it, and tossed their lealhern3 purses
back to the frightened travellers, But
they were not to get off without saterri-
BILE fright ,r, .5 ~ ,,a,, -. st
He sternly ordered everybody to pull
off his shoes and stockings, land to throw
them all in a heap in the middle of the
road. .u se.s s.s.,.,1,..,.,-,.,,s
:. Ehis,they did quickly, little dreaming
what waste follows He. and his com
panions now tossed the pile to and 'fro,
completely mixing IL up SO that no pair
would remain aogether or no man know
where his OVID were. r9isa'L wqg ron
HialYNow," said the merry robber, asspm-
ring his sternest look, stake each one, of
you his own shoes and stockings, pat
them on and begone. Be- honest for
once intyour lives, and each man take
only his own. But,mafk me, l will shoot
him. dead who takes another mans shoes
or stockings. Make haste-I give you
but FIVE minutes to be shod lQuick---I
am In no humorto tarry!'' =, ~.
The Jews were nearly bereft Of their
senses by theithreat and the order, and
they threw themselves,a all together on the
mixed-up heap Of shoes and stockings,
and such an outcry, pulling and hauling,
serambling and fighting, probably never
occurred before or will again. Screech-
ling and scratching, they stroye in vain
to obey the order, until Schinder- Hannes
and his companions laughing till tears
ran, down, their. cheeks walked off and
left the poor fellows alone. ,4lyi2 s1r
Jack the Flayer, seemed to have many
qualities of a great captain; for he uni
ted all the various bands Of robbers on
| the Rhine and in the Black Forests, took
1.-The. leadership, and so. drilled them that
they would write Or rsseparate at, known
lsigns or signals, AFTER, meeting at fairs
ans, festivities in populous towns, com
mitting some bold theft, and so quickly
separating that no trace could be found
4 of them. 9gg-aq.4z s..,,. ss..sr.,,o9 80,
d1l Their heavier booty was transported
! in boats to cavern haunts; along the no
| BILE river, and in vaults of many a ruined
castle they found storage, spacious and
safe.
] He seemed to delight. in romantic ad
ventures and in defying tue soldiers and
fpolice, and his own personal escapes are
the most numerous on record. How he
slreeeived his name of jack the fFlayer, !
caunot leafn,t for in all the stories, of his
robbefies and few murders find none
4 indicative that he deserved thatotitle.a
4 And nov one Of his exploits must
n close this sketch. .sfqd s18 ssisgs',b
faf0ne day there appeared at the door OF
3 the principal tavern in; Otzweiler a2peas-
| ant Of middle age, carrying a staff. and
| wallet as if onia journey land by his side
walked a very lovely girl, scarce young
enough to be his daughter, yet too young
Lit seemed to be- his wife, zoTy.fT /,
IyiAsparty of officers, recently paid of
were making merry in the inn, and see.
ling the peasant aud his lovely compan-
\ ion, thought to- add to their amusement
lby making the ONE sing and the lother
dance. .siii as m,d nairs.I,, ;e,ge ..e-
. 81 am in no voice for singing, and my
"a sister is too tired to Dance said the stur
u dy peasant. ssWe tarry- but for food and
i rest. which we are abundantly able to pay
4 for. So mind your business, and we will
attend to our own. affairs" s..rs,. /
"a saucy jackanapes" cried a tall ma
jor. "We will tie, him by the heels, and
:. I will take care that his pretty sister has
all the food and wine she wants"
.sAgel tie himup for his impudence!' =
cried another. =, - -. a
d 4, Three or four started forW ard to seize
the peasant, when he drew whistle from
beneath his vest, and blew shrill call.
3 In an instant forty or fifty other peas
3 ants were seen to gather to the spot, and
: before they knew it, every, officer was
held helpless between two men 3ae :
"Gentlemen-pardon' me for calling
you-o of your names in respect to th'
clothes you wear, which prabably belong
/ to unpaid tailors-I dislike to chang
E your merriment. am Schinder-hannes
and this is the Lady Julia Bloesus, m,
wife. - You wear jewels and watches, ant
have. little money. Being in wine, ,yo1
know not how to take care of such val
uables,so will relieve you of the troub
: le. Also, OF your swords, lest they ge
in your way when the dance commen
ces"
Thus saying, he robbed and disarmey
:. every one of them. n
Then selecting one Of the tallest ant
leanest, and one Of the shortest and fal
test. he made the two dance a iir. one a