Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-03-08
MASSACRE OF BGRNHOLM.
A Historical Reimbursement Coward
~ vlctory--.Stortebeker's Terrible
San FrancIsco Morning Gull.

Bornholm, in the Baltic. The whole
population Of the island, numbering
less than 300 men, women and chill
dren assembled ut that early hour on
the fiat summit Of the only mound on
the isIand--a sand hill, about loo feet
high. On that summit had been
erected II large galows and several
other paraphornala of the hcadmnns
executions, even nj this early period.
when crimes were punished il AL
countries with the most barbara sever
ity, were extremely rare on the island;
for It's Inhabitants were virtuous, simple
minded, kind-hcarted, and, despite
their poverty, hospitable fishermen,
among whom theftsand deeds Of blood
shed did not often OCCUR. But on this
occasion no fewer than eleven persons
were to be put to death They were no
Bornholmers they were pirates belong
ing to the old Sortcbeker gang that had
so long kept up n reign Of terror in
many pnrts Of the Baltic and that had
recently made again from the island
Of Rugen, whore ii had its headquarters,
repeated desccnts and committed
number of abominable oulrage3 and
depredntions upon Bornholm.
On the 10Th Of June, 1899, while
nearly I'LL the ablc-bUdied men Of the
island had been out fishing, thirty mem
bers Of Stortebckc,'s gang had landed
there and carried off the sixteen best
looking young girls Of Bornhom. For
the inhabitants Of the island, especially
the women. ell Of whom, until their
forticth year, were noted Tor their pre-
possessing appearance. The Infamous
pirates had conveyed their female
prisoners to the shores Of Normandy,
where they had sold them to i'm
principed nolomcn. When the fisher
men returned to BOrnholm nnd learned
the news Of the outrage committed by
the pirates, they flew into II towering
passion, and, having vainly appealed to
the cowardiy Viceroy of Denmark.
whose subjects they nominaly were,
for redress, they took, ~ their small
wooden church, amidgreat socmniies,
horrible onth not to rest until they
had inflicted summary punishment
upon the pilAtical seoundrcls For
this purpose u large sloop, well stocked
with arms and manned hy forty OF the
bOldcst and strongest young fishermen,
was sent out under cover of the dark
moss toward Rugon, t. watch for the
appearance Of one Of Stortebekcr's
plralicul crafts.
During II violent storm raging on the
18th Of September they fell in with tho
Black Dragon, manned by eleven Of
the pirates. They boarded the vessel, |
and, after II desperate struggle they
oyerpowcred the crew, which they took |
to Bornholm, whore they arrived late
in tho Afternoon Of the 9th Of September.
Tho whole population Of the island
received them with loud rejoicings ON
the beach. When the prisoners, who
appearance, tho crowd broke into loud |
execrations, They were recognized Ms
having participated in the descent upon
the island. Among them was young
'firas Bcragger, u dcsp erado ofthe worst
kind, and III especial favorite of Claus
Stortcbekcr, the chief Of the formidable
pirates of the Baltic. The only prison
on the island was u small cave that had
been dug into the sand. Into that cave
the prisoners were hurled, and there
upon they were told that they should
be Judged Mt daybreak on the following
morning, The Judges of the l3ornholm
were called the six old men. They
were usually elected to that position
from tho wisest and most experienced
male inhabitants of the island,
On that morning the sun rose above
the waves of tho blue Baltic with I'M
usual splendor, and its rays rendered
the somewhat chilly mir on the summit
of the sandhil speedily tepid and de-
lightiul. But the people who were as
semhlod thtro looked gloomy and
monnclng. The very expression Of
their eyes showed plainly that the
captive pirates Ind no mercy to expect
Mt thoir hands. Tho six old men mado
their appearance. The crowd received
them with respectful silence. Ole
Barssen, the most aged among thom,
called ont three names. Three stall
wart young men stepped forward.
I've have selected you, said the
venerable old man To them, to act rs
cxecutioners Of our Judgment on this
occasion. Bring forth three of the
prisoners
They stepped 70 the cave and dragged
out three Of tho shaekled pirates. The
latter looked wrctched enough. They
knew what fate awaited them, and they
trombled vislbly rs they were brought
before the stern judges. Tho six old
mon said nothing u them; but Ole
larsscn shouted out
Doesanyhody recognize these prison
erSP'
Several women hurried forward
"Wc do We do" they cried.
nfThcso three mon were among those