Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-07-27
F|END At WORK
IN GERMAN
CAPITAL
CHILDREN FRlGHTFULLY
MUTlLATED BY MURDER Err
Crimes Against Young Girls in
Berlin Recall Work Of Jack
the Ripper" Suspect Seized
Saved From Mob by Police,

IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire.l
Berlin, July ga series of cold
blooded crimes, singularly resembling
the 'Jack-the- Ripper" murders, but
for the fact that instead Of women,
the victims were little girls, followed
one another with remarkable rapidity
this afternoon, almost in the center of
the city, and aroused the most intense
excitement and Indignation. Within
short space of time the assassin sue
cessively enticed three girl babies, the
Oldest only five years of age, into
doorways of houses and stabbed them
several times in the abdomen with a
sharp instrument. AS a result one of
the children is dead, another is dying
and the third Is dangerously wounded.
The first knowledge that the crimes
had been committed came when an
occupant of the house at the corner
OF Ryke and Belford streets, found
the body of Margaret Prawitz. aged
four. lying in the doorway, bathed in
blood, the lower part of the body hor-
ribly gashed This was Immediately
reported to the police. who were about
to proceed to investigate the case,
when reports that Bertha Lenst, aged
three, and Ella Knispel. five years
old, had been found similarly multi
ated, but still alive. in the Pinsaline
alley and Hensersdorfer street, re-
spectively
Rumors soon spread, magnifying
the number Of victims. and the inhab-
itants of the neighborhood became in
tensely excited. Mothers sought their
children In the street and made them
return indoors in fear that they
might meet similar fate. Crowds
gathered about the police station
shouting vengeance against the MUIR
derer..
In the meantime the two victims
who were still alive were sent to
hospital. Their condition is precari-
ols and they are not expected TO live
through the night.
shortly after the crimes we're COM
.mitfed q slip d apefs With d deaths
head sketched on it was found ON a
public seat in the square near the
scene. on il was seribled in a ram
bling hand:
Away, away; In five minutes there
will be a corpse. There is a child
murderer in the neighborhood. De-
liver this note to the police. I have
killed children in three different
streets"
The note was attached to the seat
by means Of sharp single scissors
blade, and Il is assumed that the
crimes were committed with the other
blade of the instrument.
All the available police and detec-
tives were ordered to seour the neigh
borhood. Some parents have reported
that their children had seen hag-
gard man about 2 o'clock. well dress-
ed and wearing a cap, offering candy
and fruit to little girls. whom he
asked to accompany him.
A man was arrested shortly after
ward who tailed somewhat with this
indefinite description. Later he was
confronted by the two wounded chill
dren, who. however. were too weak
to respond to the questions put to
them The man was then taken In a
cab. guarded by the police, to the po-
lice station. The crowd outside the
station, believing him 10 be the MUIR
derer. attempted to drag him from
the vehicle and lynch him. and he was
only saved by the policemen drawing
their swords and holding The crowd
AT bay The people then attempted
10 storm the station, and the prisoner
was removed to the central station for
safety.
Tonight the streets of the city are
patrolled by large numbers Of police-
men. The mosb intense excitement
prevails. and the people are discussing
the question whether or not the muir
derer Is still at large and whether
the bloody deeds are still to con-
flnue