Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-10-14
A HUNGARIAN HERO
Seeing His Mother, Sister, and His 3etrOth-
ed Shot Down Rather Than Betray His COun-
New York Graphic

New York Graphic
A Paris correspondent Of the Graphic
writes: There has just died in an insane
asylum at Buda-Pesth man whose story
recalls one of the most terrible episondes
of the struggles for Hungarian independ-
ence in 1S4S.
Ferdncz Renyi was schoolmaster, and
at that time about q. years of age. He
was high-spirited, lively, kind-hearted
and the idol of his pupils. He was quite
an expert at playing the fiddle, and his
services were much sought after by the
young people of his native village to en-,
liven their fetes. He could also sing, and
many of his songs were of mighty patri-
otto character.
The young man lived with his mother
and sister, but was engaged to charm
il g young girl, and soon expected to be
married.
Just then the Hungarian government;
having proclaimed its independence.
called for volunteers. Renyi offered him
self and was accepted.
One day, after having fought like a
lion at the head of a detachment, he was
made prisoner by the Austrians. Led be-
fore the notorious Gen. Haynan, Renyi
refused to disclose the position OF the
main body of the Hungarian army. Hay
nan, however, was not to be fOiled in his
quest for information, and, to accom-
plish his end, resOrted to Ons of the most
barbarOus acts that has sUllied the rec
Ords of modern warfare. Finding on IN
quiry that his prisoner was a native OF &
neighbOring village and that he had q
mother and sister, he ordered the latter
to be arrested and brought to his head
quarters. They were confronted with the
young man.
IF you want the lives of these women
spared" Haynan then said to him, you
will give me the information have asked
for"
Renyi made no reply. He trembled
violently, however, and his eyes filled with
tears, but he did not yield.
Don't speak. my son." cried his aged
mother; do your duty without reference
to me; have at most but short time tC
live"
And the young girl added:
IF you betray your country your name
will be furnished, and what should [ dc
without my honor? Don't speak, Broth
er Ference. Be calm; l shall die brave
lyr'
Renyi continued silent In few mo
dead by order of the brute in general:
uniform.
Still another test remained, and Hay
nan did not hesitate to apply it. He had
Renyi's fancee brought before him, an6
threatened her with similar fate. The
latter was afraid to die. On hearing
what would happen to her if her lover did
not yield, she threw herself on her knees
hpsnT1rht TO bo,
Speak, Ference" she cried. ''See. ]
am young, I love you-dor't let them kill
me. By speaking you will save yourself
as well as me, and when we are free we
shall go far away from here and be hap
Ply. Speak, my beloved, and save thy
Wife
And she seized Reny1's hands and
wcung them with the energy Of drown.
ing man grasping at straw.
Renyi was convulsed by his overpower-
ing emotion. Suddenly he showed his
fiancee from him and turned away. Az ain
the wretched girl pleaded with him, but
her lover was silent. Then the soldiers
seized her.
"Accursed one!' she exclaimed, ''my
curses rest upon thee. Thou are my MUIR
derer!"
When the horrible scene was ended
Renyi was taken back to the apartment
where he was confined, but it was discov-
cred that the poor fellow had lost his rea-
son IN undergoing the terrible ordeal to
which he had been subjected by his saw
age captors allowed him to live after they
had robbed him of all that made life toll
cradle
Over his grave Hungary should erect
its grandest monument, though, doubt
less, he has already found an imperish-
able one in the hearts of his country
men.