Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-09-05


became sworn foes 70 Parma and the
king. He gave and took no quarter,
and his men, if captured, paid their
ransom with their heads On 1.-THE 18th
OF March, 1856, he captured the city OF
Weril by neat suatagem. The citi-
zenS, hemmed in on all sides by
marauders, were in want .of many Of
the neceSSaries OF life-among other
things, of salt. Martin had, from time
to time, sent some Of his soldiers into
the place, disguised as Doors from the
neiShborhood, and carrying bags of
that article. A pacific trading inter
course had thus been established he
tween the hurghers within and the ban
ditti without the gates. Agreeable re-
lationS were formed within the walls,
and party of townsmen had agreed
to cooperate with the followers Of
Schenk. One morning train OF way
onS loaded with soldiers neatly covered
with salt, made their appearance nj the
gate. At the same time fire broke
out most opportuncly within the town,
The citizens busily employed them
selves in extinguiShing the flames. The
sailed soldiers, after passing through the
gateway. sprung from the wagons and
mastered the watch. The town was
carried at blow. Some of the inhah-
itants were maSsacred, as II warning to
the rest; others were taken prisoners,
and held for ransom; few, more for
tunate, made their escape to the citadel.
That fortress was stornied III vain. but
the city was thoroughly sacked. Mean
time, Haultpenne collected Il force of
nearly 1000 men, Doors, citizens and
soldiers, and came to heSiege Schenk in
the town, while at the same time attacks
We're made upon him from the castle.
1t was impossible for him TO hold the
city. Accordingly, lie loaded \ train Of
wagons with his booty, took with him
thirty of the magistrates as hostages,
with other wealthy citizens and march
ing in good order against Haultpenne,
completely routed him, killing num-
her variously estimated at from 800 To
1000 and effected his retreat, desper-
ately wounded in the thigh. but trium-
plant and laden with spoil, to Nenio on
the Mouse, of which city he was gov
ernor.
Toward the close Of tine year he sur
prised and carried the city of Bonn
He found one Of its gates somewhat
insecurity guarded, placed mortar
under it at night, and occupied neigh
boring plgsty with number of his
men, who, by chasing, maltreating, and
Strengthening the swine, raised an I'M
earthly din sufficient to drown the noise
of the martial operations at the gate.
In brief the place was easily mastered,
On the.7th Of August, 1889, en- the
heath of Lippe, he attacked body Of
Spanish musketeers more than II thou
sand strong, who We're protecting a con-
voy of provisions, treasure and furni-
ture sent by France to Nerdiego, royal
Governor of FreislanG. Schenk, without
the loss of II single man, put the greater
part of the Splniards and Waloons to
the sword and routed the rest. Treasure
TO the amount ofseven thousand crowns
III gold, five hundred horses, with jewels,
plate. and other articles of value. were
the fruits of this adventure.
A few miles below the fortress was
Nymegen, and toward that ancient ana
wealthy city Schenk had often cast long
ing eyes. From the earliest times 1t
had held UP its head very high among
imperial towns; hld been one of the
three chief resdet ces of the Emperor
Charlemagne, and still paid the annual
tribute of glove full CT pepper to the
German Empire.
On the evening Of the 10th Of August,
1889 there was IL wedding feast in one
of the splendid mansions of the stately
city. The festivities were prolonged
until deep in the midsummer's night.
and the harp and vlol were still inspir-
ing the feet of the dancers, when on II
sudden, in the miGst OF the holiday
groups appeared the grim vlslge OF
Martin Schenk. Clad in no wedding
garment, but III armur OF proof, with
morton on head and sword in hand, the
great freebooter strobe heavily through
the ball room, followed by nariy Of
those terrible musketeers who never
gave or asked for quarter, while the
afirighted jewellers iluttered away before
them.
Taking advantage of a dark night, he
had just dropped down the river with
iive-and twenty barges, had landed with
his most trusted soldiers in the foremost
vessels, had battered down the gate of
st. Anthony, and surprised and slain the
guard. Without waiting for the rest Of
his boats, he had then stolen with his
comrades through the silent streets, and
and torn away the lattice-work and
other slight defense on the rear Of the
house which they had entered, and
through winch they Intended to possess
themselves of the market place. Some
of the merry-makers escaped from the
house, and proceeded 10 alarm the
town; while 5chenk hastily fortified his
position, and took possession of the
square. But the burghers and garrison
were soon on foot and he was driven
back into the house. Three times he
recovered the squrae by main strength
Of his own arm, seconded 10y the hand
full Of men whom he had brought with
him, and three times he was beaten
back by overwhelming numbers into
the wedding mansion. The arrival Of
the greater part of his followers. with
whose assistance he could easily have
mastered the city in the first moments
If surprise, was mysteriously delayed.