ALPINE MURDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 244, 12 October 1907, Page 13

ALPINE MURDER.

A Swiss shepherd whose ambition it was to murder a wealthy tourist and set himself up in life on the proceeds, has just confessed to an atrocious crime. Kobert Munziger, a young man employed at some works at Olten (Solenre), left Martigny on August loth for <Thamounix, by way of the Col de Balme. He never returned, and for a week guides searched for him. Finally they made upon a newly made grave. They exhumed the body, which was covered with knife wounds. The police were Informed, an 3 Miehaud was arrested, as it was known that he had sold a knapsack and other Alpine equipments a few days before. He was taken to Martigny, where ■ on Monday, August 26th, he made a full confession. Miehaud, who ..described the crime in detail, declared with great callousness that he lay in wait on the Col de Balme fov days, intending to waylay ana murder the first unaccompanied tourist who came along. He especially wanted to murder a rich Englishman, in order to leave the country with his booty and start a business in America. "Many Englishmen passed," he added plainftively* "but all were accompanied by guides or friends." Finally Mjnnztger appeared. He chad left Martigny accompanied by Jean Wer- : meOitjer, a friend, to cross the Col de ;

Balme, and to descend to Chamonnix, whence he intended to climb Mont Blanc. On arriving at the village of Trient, however, Wermelinger became ill, and remained at the hotel. Munziger went on, and when he reached the summit of the Col ' de Balme, where the path skirts some • precipitous rocks, he was attacked by Mif chatud, who was arrrned wi_■ a large • knife. After killing and robbing his victim, i Michand dragged the body to a loueiy i spot and buried it, forgetting, however, i to remove the traces of the crime.