The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-02
MURDERED BY NAPOLEON.
The Story OF John Palm, the Book
seller of Nuremberg.

Poultney Bigelow, in Harper
In the summer of 1906, the memorable
year of Jena, there lived in the pic
turesque old town of Nuremberg a much
respected bookseller named John Palm.
Under ordinary circumstances he would
have lived and died like many another
respectable German bookseller had not
Napoleon, by a stroke of his pen, sent his
name echoing around the world with the
significance attaching TO patriots like John
Hampden and Nathan Hale. John Palm
received one day, in the usual course of his
business, package of books consigned
through him TO other booksellers OF his
neighborhood; these books were done up
in separate packages. addressed 10 the re-
spective consignees. and John Palm had no
other connection with them than arranging
for their safe delivery. He did not know
the contents of any of these books
Amongst them, however, happened to be
one entitled Germany in Her Day OF
Shame" 1t snort, anonymous work,
commenting severely upon the manner in
which the French military administration
it evidently echoed the feeling of German
patriots, who resented the arbitrary man.
ner in which Napoleon quartered his troops
upon them.
One copy of this pamphlet was consigned
to bookseller in Augsburg. who allowed
his children to read it; through them. how
ever, 1t fell into the hands OF some French
officers who were quartered under the pas
tor of a neighboring village, and thus IT
became known to the higher French au-
thorities. On the 18th of July, 1896. Ma
cOurt-martial and shot.
This respectable bookseller was so con-
WINGED of his own innocence, and had such
complete proof that he was not the author
nor the publisher Of the book, and did not
even know what the book was about, that
he refused the abundant opportunities he
Austria or Prussia.
on the I'D of August he was locked up
in the fortress of Braunau. an Austrian
town garrisoned by French trops, about
two hundred miles from Nuremberg. He
had taken leave of his wife and children,
promising speedy return and felt confident
that his trial would be merely matter of
FORM and so it was.
He was given two short hearings. No
one was allowed to plead for him. and
within two days of entering the fortress
he was sentenced to be shot.
At IL o'clock on the 18th of August his
prison door, was opened He assumed that
he was to be set at liberty and start i'm
mediately to join his wife and children in
Nuremberg. Instead of this. however, he
was notified that he was to be shot at 2
o'clock, leaving him barely time to write
a few letters to his family and most inti-
mate friends.
The three short hours between the an
nouncement of his sentence and the putting
Ii into execution were of no use to him,
nor would they have been had the electric
telegraph been at his disposal. The court
martial decision a surprise to his
friends as well as TO himself--in fact to
every one excepting the French military
authorities, who were acting under instruc-
town begged mercy for him at the knees
of the French commandant. ignorant of the
fact that this officer was acting not as
judge, but executoner.
AT the appointed hour John Palm was
placed unon a peasants cart and escorted
beyond the walls of the town under a strong
military escort. The whole garrison of the
place was assembled to look on at the kill
ing of this plain. everyday little bookseller
of Nuremberg. No people in Germany are
more kindly and peace-loving than those of
this particular neighborhood; but even these
good people gave the French officers rea-
son to fe2r that an attempt might be made
to rescue him. and that. therefore, it was
prudent TO make as great a display of force
as POSSIBLE.
John Palms wrists were tied behind his
back, and six French soldiers stepped for
ward, aimed, and fired. Five of the shots
missed him. the sixth brought HON to the
his feet TO receive another volley, which
again brought him to the ground, crippled
and and helpless but not yet dead. Two sol sol
muzZles of their muskets against his head,
and finished the task with disgusting thor
oughness.
The story of John PALMS execution went
from mouth to mouth all over Germany.
kindling into patriotic fire the snoldering
embers of German nationality. Even the
court of Prussia made to feel that
lie sentiment. There were very many pa
triotic Germans who had looked on with
deep distrust as Napoleon encroached more
and more beyond the boundaries of France
and dictated terms more and more humili-
ating to German states; but SUCH affairs
were, after all. the business of a small
stood outside of diplomatic circles. Napo-
leon had upset many kings and raised up
many more; he had overthrown constitu-
tons and put new ones in their places; but
the popular mind the killing OF the plain
little German bookseller. John Palm.