The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-31
The Trial Of Bismarck's Assassin.


admission OF guilt, il was necessary that
full evidence should be submitted to the
court. Kullman, in reply to interrogato-
ries, stated that while living in Salezwelel
he joined Catholic society. He con-
fessed to previous acts of violence, such as
wounding fellow workman. He had
beer in the habit of reading both the lib
cral and reactionary journals had said
Bismarck was the worst and maddest
enemy of the church The prisoner avowe ed
himself an ultramontane, and admitted that
he had uttered threatening expressions, such
as "Beforc die another must fall" etc.
He said he first thought of killing Bismarck
last Easter. He went to Berlin for that pur-
pose, but was unable to find Bismarck resi-
Gence until he learned from the newspapers
that the prince had gone into the
country. lie then repaired to Kissengen
IN order to be near at hand, as Bismarck
had not definitely decided what watering
place to visit; procured bullets in Berlin;
often tried his pistol; recognized bullets,
pistol and map produced in court as his
property; loaded the pistol with powder,
waddng and two bullets, which he be-
lieved sufficient to kill man. lie only
ascertaned where Bismarck resided from
stranger on Sunday afternoon Police
officer KOwertZ was sworn and testified
that at the time of the attempt on Bis
marck's life lie noticed the priest Hauthal-
ter, who stood so near the princes car
riagc that one of the horses brushed against
him. During the stoppage thus caused
Kullnlan hurried to the carriage and fired.
The officer further testified: At his first
examination Kullman said, "You think, of
course that belong to the Catholic agi-
tation. | certainly belong to a Catholic So
cicty, but have not been sent hither."
On being told the conscquece Of
his crime, he replied, ~ am cared for"
Witness understood this to mean that some
accomplices before the act would provide
for his maintenance if he escaped capture.
The prisoner disputed this conclusion. He
also denied the truth of Kowertz's assertion
that his demeanor was frivolous. He de-
clared it was most cold and deliberate.
This caused a sensation in the court room.
DR.. Diruff dcposed as to the nature of the
injuries received 10y Bismarck and the i'll
ness resulting from them, The dispositions
of several physicians were read, showing
that the prince still suffered from nervous
weakness, and that he is soon fatiguei even
by the cxertion of writing. DR.. Diruif re-
reated Bismark's statement that the shot
was fired at the moment he raised his hand
to his hat. The interrogation of the plis-
oner was resumed. He said respect for re-
ligion would have prevented him from MAX
ing the attempt on Sunday, even if oppor-
tunity offered but he had frequented the
vicinity of the house much and feared Bis
marck would again escape him as he did at
Berlin.
The prisoner described circumstan,ially
what ed at the time of firing in terms
identical with those of the Indictment. He
explained that he fired at the head, because
he thought it possible Bismarck wore a shirt
of mail. After firing the shot he ran ac-
cross the road, where he remained NOM
ent, when the coachman struck him with
his whip. He intended to fly, but was
quickly seized. He learned that Bismarck
was only wounded while he was on the
way to prison. lie thought he had aimed
well, but the victim must have missed. Al
the time he had second percussion cap in
his hand to use if the first moved fire. He
was fully conscious of the gravity of his
crime, and of its consequences, but had
made the attempt because he regarded
Bismarck as the originator of the presen
religious conflict. Even though he might
not have believed that the conflict would
cease at his death, now that he thought
more of the matter he plainly saw that hi
had committed great crime.
The gunsmith deposed that two bullet!
of Kullman's pistol were sufficient TO caust
death. The police sergeant who guarded
Kullman in Jail swore that the prisoner
told him he was sorry he had not tqker
better aim, and that he, perhaps, would
have succeeded had he loaded with another
bullet. On being asked how he reconcilet
such crime with his religious professions
Kullman replied: at serves the cause
Are not our bishops imprisoned The &C
cused denied having so spoken, but witness
was positive those were his words. Anothe
policeman swore that the prisoner said
Even if did not attain the object, Their
remain enough persons set on to prosecute
it, and they will succeed. Death is mat
ter of indifference to me. Better die thai
allow religion to go to ruin Kullmal
was interrogated, said he did not recollec
these expressions, could only have said
"Many others may shoot at Bismarck bu
not that they were set on to do 1t. Wit
ness resumipg, declared that Kullman fun
ther said Bismarck would be shot With
ten years. Various acquaintance OF kull
man gave evidence as to his quarrelsom
behavior and his Indignation at the amt
catholic laws. Other witnesses deposed t
numerous threats by the prisoner agans
Prince Bismarck. District Judge Debo
deposed that he held the first examinatio
of the prisoner in the presence of Primo
Bismarck. Before commencement of tn
actual examination the prince asked Kul
man why he sought to kill him. Kullma
replied; son account of the May laws.
Bismarck said sit is not fair for fello
citizens to shoot at one another" Kul
man gave no reply to the question frol
Prince Bismarck, whether he had new
been taught his duties towards constitute
authorities. Kullman then without Il
least emotion, calmly, lndifferently al
unhesitatngly recounted the manner
which he had nurtured his plan, obtain'