When was it published?

June 2, 1738 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News June 2, 1738

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Burgher Master Harddorffer, Burgher Master Besserer, M. De Besserer

Q: What keywords are associated?

Ulm Murder, Burgher Master Killing, City Council Dispute, Political Motives, Personal Grievances

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 2

What is this article about?

In Ulm, Burgher-Master Harddorffer is being questioned after killing Burgher-Master Besserer during a council meeting. He provides three weak reasons: long-term vexations documented in a journal, opposition to his promotion, and blocking his son-in-law's council entry. The public watches for consequences.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

Ulm, Feb. 23. We have begun to question the Burgher-Master Harddorffer, concerning the Motives which induced him to commit so desperate an Action, as to kill the Burgher-Master Besserer in the Council; and he has given Three Reasons for it, which have been found very weak: The first is, that he observed the Burgher-Master Besserer made it his Study to vex him upon all Occasions, that he has been grievously offended and insulted by him, and that he has kept a Journal of all the Injuries he received from him for these Ten Years past; the second Reason he alleges, is, that M. de Besserer opposed him when he was making Interest for the Post of Burgher-Master; and the Third, that he hindered him from getting his Son-in-Law received into the City Council. The Publick is very attentive to the Consequences of this Affair.

What sub-type of article is it?

Political

What keywords are associated?

Ulm Murder Burgher Master Killing City Council Dispute Political Motives Personal Grievances

What entities or persons were involved?

Burgher Master Harddorffer Burgher Master Besserer M. De Besserer

Where did it happen?

Ulm

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Ulm

Event Date

Feb. 23

Key Persons

Burgher Master Harddorffer Burgher Master Besserer M. De Besserer

Outcome

burgher-master besserer killed; harddorffer's reasons deemed weak; public attention to consequences

Event Details

Burgher-Master Harddorffer killed Burgher-Master Besserer in the Council and is being questioned about his motives. He gave three reasons: Besserer's vexations over ten years, documented in a journal; opposition to Harddorffer's bid for Burgher-Master post; and hindering his son-in-law's entry into the City Council.