Further Observations Concerning the Person and Death of Hans Landis

Through our good friends B. Louwr and H. Vlaming we have obtained a certain extract from a letter dated in the year 1659, July 19-29, from one of the preachers at Zurich, who witnessed the death of the aforementioned martyr. We have thought it well to add it here, that is, as much of it as is needed here for fuller information.

"Further, you remember," he writes, "that Hattavier Salr. witnessed the beheading of Hans Landis, which I also still remember well, having seen it myself in the Wolfsstadt. The whole matter is as fresh in my memory as though it had happened only a few weeks ago."

He goes on to speak of his personal appearance and of the manner of his death, saying.

"Hans Landis was a tall, stately person, with a long black and gray beard, and a manly voice.

"When he, cheerful and of good courage, was led out by a rope to the Wolfsstadt (the place made ready for his execution), the executioner, Mr. Paul Volmar, dropped the rope, and lifting up both of his hands to heaven, spoke these words

"'Oh that God, to whom I make my complaint, would have compassion, that you, Hans, have come into my hands in this way. Forgive me, for God's sake, for what I must do to you.'

"Hans Landis comforted the executioner, saying that he had already forgiven him, and that God would forgive him too. He knew well that he had to carry out the order of the authorities. He should not be afraid, and see that nothing stood in his way.

"Then he was beheaded. After his head had been struck off, the executioner asked, 'Lord bailiff of the Empire, have I executed this man rightly, according to imperial law and sentence?' Otherwise it was customary to say, 'This poor fellow,' and so on. As though he believed that he died saved and rich.

"The people were of the opinion that the executioner, by dropping the rope, meant to show Hans that he should run away. It was also generally said that if he had run away, no one would have followed him to stop him." So far the aforementioned extract.

Further Statement. It is also fitting to give here what has been told to us by credible testimony, namely, that when the aforementioned Hans Landis was standing in the place of execution, to be put to death, his dear wife and children came to him with mournful crying and lamentation, to take a last and final farewell and leave of him. But when he saw them, he asked them to go away from him, so that his good resolution and the peace of his heart for the death awaiting him might not be disturbed or taken away by their weeping and grief. This being done, and having commended his soul into the hands of God, the quickly descending stroke of the sword put an end to his life.