Of the Aforementioned Persecution Itself, How It Occurred, in the Year 1637

After the previously mentioned proceedings of the Swiss authorities against the true believers in those parts had taken place, and these believers could not answer as the authorities wished, since their consciences did not feel free to do so, the previously mentioned authorities, especially those of the city of Zurich, in the month of May, 1637, sent out their beadles in great numbers, who with raging and storming, cursing and swearing, cutting and chopping, like ravening wolves among a flock of sheep, violently entered the houses of the believers, and took with them nearly all that they could get, sparing no one; young and old, men and women, pregnant women, and mothers with infants, well and sick; among whom twelve brothers are especially mentioned by name, in the writings of the friends from Zurich; all of whom were imprisoned in the city of Zurich, in a very damp prison, called Othenbach, with some criminals; where much grief, vexation and misery befell them, solely for the steadfastness of their true faith. Some of them, who could not endure the severity of the imprisonment, the lack of food, and other hardships, died in bonds; some, however, escaped, by the help of God, unknown to the authorities, through the prison being opened, without doing violence to their faith; which matters will be treated more clearly and in fuller detail in their proper place. Compare this with Jer. Mang., folio 3, B.

NOTE. In the year 1637, in the month of May, three brothers, two of whom are named Jacob Rusterholtz and Peter Brubach, were summoned to a certain place and kept prisoners by the high bailiff of Wadischwyl. There was also imprisoned at this time Hans Landis the second, a confirmed minister of the church in Horgerberg; as also his daughter, Margaret Landis, who remained imprisoned about sixty weeks in Othenbach. In the meantime the authorities sold their property, realizing seven thousand guilders from it, which they kept for themselves.

Again, one Rudolf Egly, who two years before, namely, 1635, had been imprisoned with two other brothers in the council house at Zurich, but had escaped, was now, in the year 1637, imprisoned again, his house destroyed, the children driven out of it, and everything sold; from which about five hundred guilders were realized, which the authorities also took into their possession.

Afterwards his wife, Martha Lindingerin, was apprehended and confined at Othenbach, in a very damp prison. For a time she was very harshly treated, and also severely tempted concerning the common money belonging to the poor of the church, of which her husband had charge; for she was taken into the torture chamber, and the executioner was sent for and placed beside her, and she was threatened with severe pain and torture if she would not point it out.

As a result she weakened, and gave the information they wanted, whereupon she was released, and the property of the poor saints was seized, amounting in money and notes to about two thousand rix dollars.

But when her spirit, as it seems, could not rest, and she lamented this with great sorrow, she was, a considerable time afterwards, apprehended again, and imprisoned in Othenbach; but she was, with a good conscience (by breaking out), on the Friday before Easter, together with others of her brothers and sisters, delivered from bonds.

Compare both tracts, namely: Mangold and Meyli.

NOTE. Continuing, we shall now show from the first mentioned tract of the Swiss elders and ministers what persons, as far as we have learned of them, were apprehended during this persecution, and also how it terminated with them.