MURDER OF GERMAN PRIESTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 13

MURDER OF GERMAN PRIESTS.

SHOCKING ATROCITIES. Sydney, January 10, Information of a terrible murder of German priests at" Yeu-cbow-fu, Shantung-, has been brought by a Cbina steamer. 16 appears a troublesome band of rnffians of tbe Tatao Hui (or Great Sword) Society have been assuming a threatening attitude for some time past, and on several occasions havß shown decided signs of hostility to the missionaries, but not such as to lead them to suppose unusual violence was meditated* However, the tuperior in charge of lh« mission warned the missionaries. Tha murder occurred on November 1. The mission premises were' surrounded by a howling mob, only too evidently bant on mischief. Late at night tha small community retired, and were only awaked by the excited natives barsticg into the mission. While plundering was being carried out by one party, another, but less numerous, band made for the Fathers themselves. In the excitement one o£ them— an elderly man — managed to get away, but Fathers Hesle and Nies were kaccked down and murdered as they lay on tbe ground. When the bodies were discovered by the terrorised native servaaks they were lying almost where they fell, anoi very little clothing was left onthem. This waa not deliberately torn off so much as out fca • pieces by the countless stabs which were inflicted. When the blood-soddened remains of the clothing were removed ifc waa found there was ecaiceh space to lay a shilling on any part of the body without covering a. wound. From head to foot, both bodies were stabbed through and through.