A MURDERER AT THE PLAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2513, 18 August 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A MURDERER AT THE PLAY.

Ernkst Possart, the German tragedian, was in 1861 playing an engagement in the St-adt Theatre in Breslau. While there a murder was committed which the police worn totally unable to fathom. An old knife-grinder lived in a frame house on the outskirts of the town. His name was Autrer, and be lived alone. During the day lie worked at his trade, and at night shut himself up in bis house and associated with no one. He made money and was looked upon as a miser by alt who knew him, and it was generally supposed that he had much money secreted in the house. On the nipht of January 20th the inhabitants of Breslau were thrown into great excitement by a fire. It was found that Auger's house was in flames, and when the fireman arrived they could not find the miser anywhere. After the flames had been subdued Auger's dead body wan found lying on the floor. He had beon murdered in a brutal manner. The police tried to find the murderer, but could not gain the slightest cloe. One of Possart's play's was Gottschalk's "Tho Nabob." It was an Indian tragedy, founded on early Indian history, during Lord Olive's roirime. The time of the drama was 1757, and the plots and negotiations of the East India Company and the Nabob were represented. Possart played the part of the Indian Mattali. In tho second act he attempts to assassinate Lord Olive, President of the East India Company and Governor-General ef India. Possart's was a powerful piece of acting. He tried to steal quietly upon Clive and stab him. Just as he was about to strike the fatal blow he was caught, and immediately buried the dagger, which was meant for Lord Clive, in his own heart. The play used to be a very popular one in Germany, and the part taken by Possart was one of his best performances. On January 30th "The Nabob" was played. The house was crowded. In the front seat of the gallery was a young subordinate officer, Sergeant Geissler. His sweetheart, Anna Richter, was with him. During the first net of the play the audience became greatly interested. In the second act the excitement was intense, and Geissler was very much worked up over it. He sat as if entranced as lie beheld the plotting of the young Indian against the Governor. He watched eagerly every movement and his nerves were strained to their very greatest tension as Mattali was about to kill Lord Olive. He sat with his gaze fastened upon the actors, and when the Indian was seized before he struck the fatal blow Geissler started and becamo greatly excited. Miss Eichter spoke to him, but he did not heed her. He alternately flushed and turned pale as ho watched the remorse .And disappointment of the you»g Indian. Great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead as the dagger was turned towards the Indian's heart, and as he struck the blow Geissler leaped from, his seat, and with a loud cry rushed bareheaded from the theatre. The confusion in the theatre was great. The curtain was hastily rung down. Some left the house, and many others wondered what had happened. When quietness was restored the play proceeded. Sergeant Geissler ruahed from the theatre to the nearest police-station, and there gave himself up as the murderer of the grinder Auger. He was locked up, and within a few days tried. He confessed how he had murdered the miser in order to steal his gold, but bad been unable to find the money. Then to destroy all evidence of the crimp, he had fired the building. He said he was forced to make the confession by Possart's powerful portrayal of the feelings of the mimic suicide. He was sentenced to death, but the higher courts commuted his sentence to imprisonment for life on account of bis having confessed. Lately the Governor of Bavaria pardoned Geissler after he had been imprisoned for 27 years.