The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-24
EXECUTION Of THE
MANNHEIM MARTYR
VERY REMARKABLE
ScaffOld on Which He Was
Beheaded Torn Up for
Souvenirs

August Friedrich Ferdinand Won Kotze-
bue, who was born at Weimer in 1851,
and slain at Mannheim in 1919 was one
of the great men of his time, says the
Kansas City Star. He is among the most
celebrated of German dramatists, and his
originality is attested by the fact that
his works have been a mine for later
writers of all nations. He wrote 200 trag
edes, dramas and farces, and most of
them were successful during his lifetime.
His best known work is "rhe Stranger
which, 80 years ago, was as popular and
famous in the United States as it was in
Germany. He also wrote successful novels,
and a remarkable satire. in which he
took a fall out of Goethe and Schiller, who
had declined to admit him ia their So
eiety.
Kotzebue was trihe too fond of satire.
When displeased with any person or
cause he was wont to hold the same up
to public ridicule. This weakness led to
his tragic death His life was adven-
turous. Much of it was spent in the
service of Russia, and once he was BAN
ished to Siberia, but was recalled a year
or two later by the Emperor Paul, who
squared things by giving him a fine es-
tate. His later years were spent at Mann
helm, where he was employed as corre-
spondent by the Russian government, re-
porting upon matters literary, artistic and
intellectual. In these days such a post
would be considered honorable. but at
that time many people believed he was a
Russian spy. When In satirical mood
he found much amusement in making fun
of the "Bursenschaft' movement or "the
universal German students association" !"
The students took the association serious
ly, if he didn't.
n,, tn1
that Kotzebue would spend his declining
years in peace and comfort under his vine
and fig tree at Mannheim. He was pros
perous and had congenial employment,
and his genius was being generally rec
osnized. On the afternoon of that day
he went into the town on an errand, and
when he returned to his home maid
told him that a young man had called to
see him. and promised to call again. Half
and the maid showed him up to the family
sitting room. He waited there a few
minutes. and then Kotzebue entered the
room, with outstretched hand and smil-
ing face.
"You are from Mitau?' inquired Kotze-
bue.
The stranger drew dagger from his
sleeve and, crying, Traitor to the faith
erlandr' stabbed him repeatedly. Instead
of trying to escape, the murderer tried
to pacify his victims 4-year-old son, who
had entered the room and stood there
shrieking.
Kari Ludwig Sand. who committed
this cold blooded and senseless mur-
der was a student and enthusiastic
member of the Bursenschaft. Patriot
ism was more than passion with
him 1t was disease. He hated Ma
poleon with a hatred that kept him
awake at night and spoiled his appe-
tite. He spent most of his time brood
ing over the woes, real or imaginary,
of his country, when he should nave
been doing something useful
He had made some reputation as q
boy orator at the University of Err
langen, and later he went to Jena,
where his talents attracted no atten-
tion, and this soured him. II was at
Jena that he deliberately made up his
mind to be a martryr. and he left for
Mannheim armed with his dagger and a
determination to kill Kotzebue. He had
planned everything down to the small
est details His only excuse for MAX
| ing Kotzebue the victim was that the
latter had ridiculed the students as
ISOLATION.
And his plans worked out wonder
| fully well. After long years of war and
peril the people were In a hysterical
mood. and Sand was hailed as hero
and martyr. The flower gardens oil
Mannheim were desolated. that the
martyr might have bouquets. Fortu-
nately the tribunals were not carried
away by the prevailing sentimental
ism. On May 5, 1920. the supreme court
| Of the Grand Duchy OF Baden passed
| sentence upon him, decreeing that he
be executed by the sword
! May 20 was the day fixed for the
execution and the place was meadow
/ Just outside one of the gates of the
town. The news had spread far and
wide. an immense crowd streamed tc
town TO see the doings, and the SYM
rathy for Sand was SO strong and sc
| general that rescue was feared, and
a strong force of infantry surrounded
| the scaffold.
In the courtyard of the prison Sand
was lifted into low open chaise Ths
prisoners appeared at the jail window ;
weeping and wringing theiAhands. foi
they also considered him hero, anc
he bowed to them and smiled. Wher