New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-05-08
From the Altar to the Scaffold.

From the Altar to the scaffold.
The novel spectacle Of priest being
found guilty of murder IN the first de-
gree was presented in Judge Mitchells
court this afternoon. Blasius Pistorius,
the prisoner, was one Of the most brilliant
of that portion Of the German priesthood
in active opposition to the early and severe
policy OF Bismarck. During the time
when all Germany was braWling, and i'm
medlately after the attempted assassina-
ton OF the great German Chancellor,
Pistoruis received information that led
him to believe that Bismarck proposed
Furnishing him severely for his too active
opposition to his plans. The priest just
at that time received a letter from Amer
lea, in which he was given to understand
that in the western part of the United
States he conld probably obtain the pas
torate of g church. He sailed for this
country, and at once paid visit to his
brother, John Pistorius, who was tenant
on farm in Montgomery County, near
Norristown. Here, few weeks after his
arrival, he killed Isaac Jacquette.
The farms of John Pts orious ana Isaac
Jacquette adjoined each other, Stony
Creek being the disputed boundary line,
and there had long been difficulty be-
tween the two farms owing to the ire
quent trespassing Of Jacquette's cows
upon the formers premises when the. lat
ter brought them to drink at the creek.
On the Oath Of July, 1875, when the boy
brought the cows to water, Blasius Pts
torjus who had heard of the trespassing
from his brother, standing on the oppo-
tie bank with a pistol in his hand, point :
ed the weapon at the lad, as he says, to
scare him. The boy ran. away who
brought back Jacquette, who spoke an
grily to Blasius Pistorious, who in return
pointed the weapon toward him and said:
" shoot" Jacquette crossed the stream,
picked up two stones and said: g If YOU
shoot I'll bring you off that bank" lac
quette then walked up the steep bank
and dropped the stones. Blasius Pistori-
Gus allowed the hand holding the pistol
to fall by his side. Jacquette walked
within a few feet of him, and what sub
sequently transpired is differently related
by different witnesses. The Common
wealth alleges deliberate shooting by
Blasius Pistorius. The defense claim
that Jacquette attempted to seize the
pistol hanging by the priests side, and
In the slight scuff1e that ensued the weap-
on, which is self-cocking affair was &C
cidentially discharged. jacquette was
arge, burly man.
Blasius was tried and convicted in
Norristown in December, 1875, and on
the 9Th Of May, 1876, sentence Of death
was passed upon him. Thereafter the Su-
preme Court ordered new trial, and, in
order that he might moi suffer from the
feeling against him in Montgomery
county, change Of venue was granted
to Philadelphia. The second trial closed
to-day.
Pistorious was enraged to the point of
madness by the adverse charge IF the
Court. When the jury retired he sud-
denly arose, and, with face white with
rage, and his sharp, glittering eyes al
most starting from their sockets, began
in loud voice, directed to . tipstaff who
stood near the dock, to disparage his
counsel's management of the case. Quiz
ering with rage, through his clenched
teeth he accused his counsel of not hav-
ing thoroughly commented upon what
he considered variances in the testimony
of the Commemorative witnesses. Fin
ally the Judge had to order his removal
until he could become calm.
When the jury returned, Pistorius fast
ened his glittering, bead like eyes upon
them. Their verdict was: aGuilty of
murder in the first degree The doom
ed man spoke not word, and remained,
staring like statue. seated in the small
ser dock, until friend approached and
addressed him in j whispers. Blasius
made an| inaudible reply. The prisoner
was then taken to Moyamensing prison.
pending motion for new al.-Phil.