Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-07-30

men were available for the construc.
ton of the castle, and II was com.
pleted in three years. II consisted Of
two parts, the Voburg and the Haupt,
or Hofburg. In the former is the So
called Ritterhaus, for the use of visit
ing knights and the main watch. The
entrance is across drawbridge over
a deep moat and through massive
gateway, which was closed by two sets
of heavy gates. To the right Of the
entrance are the quarters OF the
hlosskommandant. which are fitted
up in fifteenth century style.
On the second floor Of the Ritter.
haus are Luther's room and the "Perk.
heimer Stubchen," the latter being
sent from Nuremberg by Grand Ouch
ess Sophie in 1872. The furniture Of
the reformer is as he left 1.-THE
heavy writing table. the stone foot
stool. the big green stove and the
great bed, with its high posts. Against
the wall is where the inkwell struck
when he hurled It at the head Of
Satan. A great hole has been made
in the plaster by relic hunters who
have carried away souvenirs Of Lu.
theirs anger at the devil. At the
present rate OF disappearance It will
not be long before the entire wall sue.
cumbs to the onslaught. The stones
could resist longer the crossbows and
rams of olden times than the hordes
of annual visitors, who number be-
tween 10000 and 10000.
The room is lighted by two little
windows. Through these Luther. could
look out upon landscape which pre-
sented wealth of attractive features.
He did not, however, enjoy his en-.
forced stay at tho castle and was
glad to hasten away to Wittenberg.
Near by is the little, narrow. cup.
boardlike "Stubchen," which was occu.
pied by the reformer's friend, Will.
bald Pirkheimer OF Nuremberg. A
long, narrow hallway, ornamented
with many adages from the old Ger.
man, leads to the Reformation" room.
the walls of which are adorned with Is
pictures painted by Paufels, Thu
mann, Lining and Struys. They repre-.
sent scenes in the youth of the great
reformer, his arrival at the castle, es.
corted by mailed knights; his depart
ure as "Junker Georg," with
winters growth OF beard to conceal
his identity; his trial before the court
at Wittenberg, and others Of equal in
terest in his strenuous life. This
room is shown to visitors only by spe-
cial permission of the commandant.
Interest in the Wartburg must ever
center about the picturesque building
known as the "Landgrafenhaus." It
is three stories high, and occupies a
commanding part of the castles site
on top of the hill. The third floor is
given over TO the large festival hall,
where the Arion society sang. 1t is
beautifully decorated room, with raft
cred ceilings and walls covered with
symbolic pictures. Huge carved
benches are ranged along the sides,
and tapestries are numerous. This
hall is used only on especially festive
occasions. It's appearance is entirely
modern, although one Of the benches
is an original from the early days OF
the castle. The old building is not
without Its touch Of humor. On the
wall Of the gallery leading to the fes-
tival hall are 20 pictures, representing
the decades Of life for 100 years. They
are:
Mans history: At ten years, a calf;
at 20, buck; at 30, a steer; at 40, a
lion; at so, a fox; at so, a wolf: at
20, a dog; at 80, q tomcat; at 80, a
donkey; at 100. an ox's deaths head.
Woman's history: At ten years, a
checking; at 20. a dove; at 30. a mag
pie; at 40. a peacock; at so, q hen; at
so, q goose; at 20. a vulture; at so, an |
Owl. at On N hat. Mt 100 n deaths