Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-04-05
From the Altar to the scafold.

The novel spectacle of a priest being
found guilty of murder in the first de-
gree was presented in Judge Mitchelrs
court this afternoon. Blasius Pistorius,
the prisoner, was one of the most brill
liant 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 Immediately after the
attempted assassination of the great
German Chancellor, Pistorius received
information that led him to believe that
Bismarck proposed Furnishing him Sc
verely for his too active opposition to
his plans. The priest Just at that time
received Il letter from America, in which
he was given to understand that in the
western part of the United States he
could probably obtain the pastorate of
a 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 Nor
ristown. Here, few weeks after his
arrival, he killed Isaac Jacquette.
The farms of John Pistorius and
Isaac Jacquette adioined each other,
Stony Creek being the disputed bound
ary line, and there had long been diff
fculty between the two farmers owing
to the frequent trespassing of JAG
quette's COWS upon the formers prem
4ses when the latter brought them to
drink at the creek. On the oath of July,
1875, when boy brought the cows to
water, Blasius Pistorius, who had heard
of the trespassing from his brother,
standing on the opposite bank with
pistol in his hand, pointed the weapon
Mt the lad, as he says, to scare him.
The boy ran away, and brought back
Jacquette, who spoke angrily to Blasius
Pistorius, who in return pointed the
weapon toward him and said: a
shoot" Jacquette crossed the stream,
picked up two stones and said: ''h you
shoot I'll bring you off that bank.
Jacquette then walked up the steep
bank and dropped the stones. Blasius
Pistorius allowed the hand holding the
pistol to fall by his side. Jacquette
walked within few feet of him, and
what subsequently transpired is differ
entity related by different witnesses.
The Commonwealth alleges a deliberate
shooting by Blasius Pistorius. The de-
} fense claim that Jacquette attempted TO
seize the pistol hanging by the priests
side, and in the slight scuiile that en-
sued the weapon, which is a self-cock-
/ ing affair, was accidentally discharged.
Jacquette was large, burly man.
Blasius was tried and convicted in
Norristown in December. 1875, and on
the 8th of May, 1876, sentence of death
!, was passed upon him. Thereafter the
, Supreme Court ordered a new trial. and,
: in order that he might not suffer from
Z the feeling against him in Montgom-
ery County, a change of venue was
granted to Philadelphia. The second
} trial closed to-day.
. Pistorius was enraged to the point OF
. madness by the adverse charge of the
u 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
Il in loud voice, directed to tipstafi
d who stood near the dock, to disparagt
G his counsers management of the case
y Quivering with rage, through his
& clenched teeth he accused his counse
d of not having thoroughly commented
n upon what he considered yariances II
the testimony of the Commonwealth
witnesses. Finally the Judge had t.
order his removal until he could be
come calm.
When the jury returned, Pistoriu
fastened his glittering, bead-like eye
upon them. Their verdict was " Guilt,
OF murder in the first degree" Th
a. doomed man spoke not word, and re
IN mained, staring like a statue, seated il
ne the smaller dock, undl friend ap
," preached and addressed him in whis
mt pers. Blasius made an inaudibly reply
ld The prisoner was then taken to MOys
mensiug Prison, pending motion fo
an a new trial. Philadelphia Telegram.