The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-06
LurHER A PRISONER,


On the 4th Of May, 1921, as he was on
his way from Mohra, where he had been
visiting friend, at Wallinshausen, he was
suddenly met In the midst Of the forest by
knight in full armor. Being recognized
he was compelled to change his outfit for
that OF q riders, and mounting horse,
sped away to the Wartburg with his cap
tor.
Situated on the very summit OF the
"Queen OF Thurinzias mountains"-reached
by winding paths through forest and ra-
vine-with perpendicular walls Of rock ex-
tending far below its base, overlooking the
whole surrounding country, stands the
castle, the. very perfection OF a fort OF the
middle ages. Built in l076-its eighth CEN
tennial Just passed-by one OF the earlier
Landgraves Of Thuringia, who, we learn
from The grandmothers Of the neighboring
hills, chasing stag to the top Of the noun
tains, suddenly inspired by the
grandeur OF the prospect, stopped and
exclaimed, "Watch hill, thou shalt be
Watch CITY," Soon after. the towers OF the
Wartburg verified his exclamation. It is
teeming with history, tradition, and legend.
From its courts many warrior bold has
gone forth to cast his fortunes in the wars
Of the Holy Land, in It's halls many q
minstrel has sung the charms Of 'fair
lady, and many apoet has lived and written
to make it interesting, long before Luther
came to make 1t famous.
THE REroRMER's CELL.
On that night in May-in the prison
house Just beyond the draw-bridge-was
Luther thrown and held as q State criminal,
under the name Of "Yunker George" It
is with reverence, undisguised, that one
enters this historic cell. Here a great
work was begun-a work that wrested
power from despotism, that changed there
iigion OF q nation-that wrought
out the salvation OF myriads
Of souls; out Of the darkness and
gloom OF this room, when Luther watched
and prayed, a light went forth which illu-
mined the earth! Is 1t any wonder that
one fingers, thinks and is reverent
Is II not enough to make one bow down
and worship. Dark and uninviting, one
can carry his thoughts back through the
ages; come face to face with Luther and
Il
dreary 1t must have been as day after day,
he worked at his translation. The
room Ia not more than u feet fquare, with
an altitude Of about 13 feet, and Is lighted
by one narrow window, out OF which Lu-
ther could sse perpetual barriers 10 his es.
cape. The floor is stone, the ceiling planks,
as are also the walls, with the exception Of
one, which is q rude kind OF plaster.
INTERESTING TO RELIC HUNTERS.
1t was against this wall, tradition, says,
Luther threw his leaden ink.bottle at the
devil when he appeared to tempt him from
his work. Pilgrims have nearly demolish.
ed this-as eager for relic OF the place
they have Clipped bit by bit containing a
little ink land may be little devil) until
much is gone. The result Is years ago the
space which Luther's ink blackened, was
carried off and, now, 80 the tale goes, to
meet the requirements, at the beginning
OF each season, the guide sprinkles the wall
with ink. Many creature leaves the
Wartbury all thinking himself rich in this
treasure Of yesterdays making. Sad is
the truth, although the obliging guide de-
nies 1.-THE table on which Luther wrote
his Bible Is destroyed, carried away by the
vandals all over the world. But in its place
is one intimately connected with him,
upon which he often ate and played when
child. 1t was presented To
Wartburg by members Of his family,
come years since. However, Luthers
yeritable chair Is still there. It isa fair
sample OF all the chairs Of the sixteenth
century-straight, high backed and en-.
grayed. Isuppose no pilgrim ever entered
the room who did not sit In this chair,
place his pedal extremity on the foot-stool
and resolve to lead better life. The foot
stool Is part OF q whales backbone and
actually has great hole worn in it from
constant use. Hanging on the wall Is Lu.
ther's coat Of mail, used at various times
and in various adventures.
TIE IDENTICAL BED.
His bed is in as good condition as the
nights, centuries ago, 1t held the sleeping
genius. Standing in one corner, a
four posted, capopied affair, 1t is
really quite gorgeous considering the
surroundings-an old stove, part Of which
was there in the Reiormer's time, and
which looks more like monument than q
fire place, remains In the corner next the
bed. Under the window Is q beautifully
j. covered trunk which contains collection
OF the Oldest editions Of the Bible. A
gothic chest holding the records OF the
. evangelical conference Is near 1t. It ID
needless to say Luther never saw the two
. latter. Hanging on the wall opposite the
entrance, and, also, above Il, are seyeral
!. paintings, medallions and engrayings
inost Of which are Of Luther, his parent
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