Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-07-15
BY HENRY P. FRY,

Copyright by Small Maynard by
ment with author and publsher.)
1t strange that in narrating events and analyzng
organization existing in the United States of America in
1922 the most appropriate introduction to the SUBJ
ec consists Of few pages from the history of Germany
during the Middle Ages There existed in medieval Ger
many secret organization which, in its highest stage of
development is said to have numbered 100000
bers-the Vehmgericht secret tribunal It's origin is
couded in obscuriy authorities claiming that the sys
tenn first founded by Charlemagne while others say
that it handed down from the most remote prehistoric
Germans but it understood generally to have first appear
ed in the year 180 in Wesphaa after which it scattered
ali over Germany.
head the Emperor, assisted by the mobiles his
court and with them of all ranks associated together
for the formation of free courts to try accused of
crimes against and property The members of the
organization were known Wissende, or initiated ones
They bound by solemn oaths not to reveal the crcum
stances of trial the sentence imposed the offender
if found guilty and in order to become of the brother
hood the applicant required to be of good character
and have two suretieS who already free judges
of initiation, usually held in outof heway
place. nduced the outsider into the organization, and
thereafter he required under his solemn oath to
reveal the facts that he member of the brotherhood
The initiated ones recognized each other by signs.
Headed by the Emperor
The Vehmgercht could be summoned at any time and
place. in private buildings in the forests in in the
open fields they occasionally held publicly but usual
y they closed against all but the initiated and the
person. The Emperor in his absence the count
noble of highest dignity presided and if unnitiaed
person ntruded, he Immediately put to death The
cre tribunal met when necessary and received complaints
which they assumed the right to any
Germany. Ordinarily the accused arrested and held
by captors for the secret trial. but he had not been
rested he summoned to appear by fastening his door
gateway the of the dreaded court which usual
y had enclosed in it small coin. he failed to appear
send messenger, he was condemned despsng the u
risdction of the Holy Vehmgericht and condemned
there little chance of his life while he remained In
Germany.
The condemnation of offender by Vehmic Court
known to the whole brotherhood in short time and
if it the father brother of of the initiated
who condemned he not only might not warn him of his
danger but bound to aid in putting him to death under
penalty Of losing his life.
Death Penalty Meant Hanging
death penalty the usual decree of the court gen.
orally inflicted by hanging When executed the victim
hanged to the tree nothing of value which he might
about him being removed and knife thrust into
ground token that the deed had been committed by
order of the brotherhood
The Vehmgricht, although irresponsible tribunal pos
sessng this extensive and dreadful authority, became
formidable that Carries w in 1871 stipulated for
official recognition Exercising its despotc dominion
under such obligations of severity, the brotherhood how
in 146 incurred the hostility of those who feared to
become its victims all those who it engine
capable of terrible oppression and association form
resist it. The result that in 1495, Max1nlan
established criminal CODE materially weakening the
tribunals Secret trials said to have been held as
paQa Gfx