FIENDISH MURDER OF GERMAN MISSIONARIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3329, 11 January 1898, Page 3

FIENDISH MURDER OF GERMAN MISSIONARIES.

TWO PRIESTS HACKED TO PIECES. By Telegraph.—Frets Association.— Copyright. Received January 11,1a.m. Sydney, January 10. Information of a terrible murder of German priests at Yen Chow Fu, Shantung, has been brought by the China steamer. It appears that a troublesome band of ruffians, the Tatao Hui, or Great Sword Society, had been exhibiting a threatening attitude for some time past, and on several occasions they had shown decided signs of hostility to the missionaries, but not such as would lead to the opinion that unusual violence was meditated. However, the superior in charge of the mission warned the missionaries.

The murder occurred on November 1. The.mission premises were surrounded by a howling mob only too evidently bent on mischief. Late at night the small community retired, but they were awakened by the excited natives bursting into the mission. While plundering was being earned out by one of the party, another, but leas numerous, band made for the Fathers themselves. In the excitement one of them, an elderly man. managed to get away, but Fathers Heule and Nies were knocked down and murdered as they lay on the ground. When the bodies were discovered by the terrorised native servants they were lying almost where they fell, and with very little clothing left. This was not deliberately torn off so ranch as out to pieces by the countless stabs which were inflicted. When the blood-soddened remnants of the clothing were removed it was found that there was scarcely a space to lay a shilling on any part of the bodies without covering a wound. From head to foot both bodies wore stabbed through and through.