The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-11-15
THE CURSED HATCHET.

On the 81 Of December, 1861, Dr. Otto Won
Hopstein, regus professor of comparative
anatomy Of the University OF Buda- Pesth,
and curator Of the Academical museum, was
foully and brutal'y murdered within stones
throw Of the entrance 10 the college quad.
rangle.
Besides the eminent position Of the victim
and his popularity among both students and
town folk, there were other circumstances
which excited public interest very strongly
and drew general attention throughout Aus
tria and Hungary TO this murder. The
Pesther Abendblatt OF the following day had
an article giving "A succinct account Of the
circumstances under which the crime was
committed and the peculiar features in the
case which puzzled the hungarian police
at appears, said that very excellent paper,
"that Professor Won Hopstein left the uniyer.
sity about half past 4 in the afternoon, in
order 10 meet the train which is due from
Vienna at three minntes after g. lie was ac.
,ompanied by his old and dear friend Herr
Wilhelm Schlessinger, sub-curator Of the
museum and privat-docent OF chemistry. The
object Of these two gentlemen in meeting
this particular train was 10 receive the legacy
bequeathed by Graf Won Schulling 20 the
University Of Buda-Pesth Ii is well known
that this unfortunate nobleman, whose tragic
fate is still fresh in tie recollection of the
public left his unique collection Of medinval
weapons, as well as several priceless black
letter editions, 10 enrich the already cele-
brated museum Of his alma mater.
THE worthy professor was too much Of an
enthusiast in such matters 10 intrust the re-
ception or care OF this valuable legacy 10 any
subordinate, and, with the assistance of Herr
Schlessinger, he succeeded I'm removing the
whole collection from the train, and slowing
away In a light cart which had been sent
by the university authorities. Most Of the
books and more fragile articles were packed
In cases Of pine wood, but many Of the weap-
ons were simply done round with straw, 10
that considerable labor was involved In NOV.
ing them all. The professor was so nervous,
however, lest any Of them should be injured
that he refused 20 allow any of the railway
employees 10 assist. Every article was car.
ried across the platform by Herr Schlessinger,
and handed TO Professor Won Hopsten i'm the
cart, who packed il away. When everything
was in, the two gentlemen, still faithful 20
their charge drove back TO the university,
the professor being in excellent spirits, and
not "A little proud Of the physical exertion
which he had shown himself capable Of. He
made some joking allusion TO it to Reinmaul,
the janitor, who, with his friend Schiller a
Bohemian jew, met the cart on its return,
and unloaded the contents. Leaving his curl
osities safe in the storeroom aud locking the
door, the professor handed the key 10 hIs sub
curator, and, bidding every one good evening
departed in the direction Of his lodgings
Schlessnger took last look 10 reassure him.
sl.s .t.rl.t L Il.
ing Reinmaul and his friend Schiller smoking
in the janitOr's lodge.
AT II o'clock, about an hour and half
after Won Hopstein's departure, a soldier Of
the Fourteenth regiment Of jaeger, passing
the front of the university on his way 10 bar
racks, came upon the lifcess body Of the
professor lying little way from the side Of
the road lie had fallen upon his face with
both arms stretched out His head was liter.
ally split in halves 10y tremendous blow,
which, it Is conjectured, must have been
struck from behind, there remaining peace
ful smile upon the old mans face, as If be had
been still dwelling upon his new archRolog-
cal acquisition when death had overtaken
bin. There Is no other mark Of violence upon
the body except bruise over the left patella,
caused probably by the fall. The most mys
terious part Of the affair is that the profess
sors purse, containing fOrty-three gulden,
and his valuable watch, have been untouched.
Robbery cannot, therefore have been the in
centve % the deed, unless the assassins were
disturbed before they could complete their
work.
This idea is negatived by TIE fact that the
body must have lain at least an hour before
any one discovered it. The whole affair il
wrapped in mystery DR.. Langemann, the
eminent medico jurist, has pronounced that
the wound Is such as might have been inflicted
by n heavy sword bayonct welded by pow
erful arm. The police are extremely reticent
upon the subject, and IL is suspected that they
are in possession Of clew which may lead 70
important results
Thus far the Pesther Abendbatt The re
searches Of the police failed, however, TO
throw the least glimmer of light upon the
matter There was absolutely no trace of
the murderer, nor coud any amount OF iBge-
nuity invent any reason which could have
induced any one b commit the dreadful
Iced. The deceased professor Wa a man 80
wrapped in his own studies and pursuits that
ne lived apart from the world, and had never
raised animosity in any human breast. II
must have been some hend. some savage, who
owed blood FOR is own sake, Who struck that
nerciless blow.
Though the officials we're unable 10 CONS
% any conclusions upon the matter, popular
suspicion was not long la pitching upon q
capegoat. In the hrst published accounts
of the murder the name of one Schiller bad
1een mentioned as having remained with the
Ianitor after the professors departure This
nan was Jew, and Jews have never been
popular In Hungary. A cry was at once
-aised for Schiffers arrest but as there was
1ot the slightest grain Of evidence against
aim, the authorities very properly refused b
sonsent % ~ arbitrary proceeding. Rein
maui. who was an old aud most respected
,itizen. declared solemnly that Schiller was
with him until the startled cry % the soldier
aad caused them both % run cut 20 the scene
of the tragedy. 80 one ever dreamed u i'm
plicating Reinmaul IN such a matter but still,
Il was rumored that hs ancient and vel
Known friendship Tor Schiller might have In
i1ced him TO tell a falsehOod In order .
pcreen him. Popular feeling ran very high
spou the subject, and there seemed danger