The Fratricide Upon the Hochalp

The “Hochalp” (or High Alp), near Scharnitz, was some two centuries

ago covered up to the top with the finest grass and woods, and the now

cleared Fitzwald was the most beautiful forest in the whole Tyrol. It

reached up to the very summit of the mountain, which was covered with

such enormous trees, that three men could not encompass one of them

with their arms; in one word, the Hochalp was a “Cow-Heaven,” as it was

generally called by the peasants. Where now the sheep climb about, at

that time there were but cows pastured, and the cattle thrived there

better than anywhere else.

The Alp belonged to a rich peasant of Leutasch, named Simele, who had

two sons, who, after his death, commenced a serious quarrel about which

of them was to have the Alp. The younger brother was a good man, but

the other was a real wretch; and, as they could not agree, they drew

lots for the Alp, which fell to Johann, the younger of the two.

After this he married a good village girl, whom his brother Matz had

set his eyes upon, and from whom he had received a refusal. Johann

lived happily with his wife, while his brother boiled over with bitter

spite, and month after month his determination of seeking revenge

increased. He commenced a law suit, finding false witnesses, and swore

a false oath, so that the Court declared the drawing invalid, and

awarded the Alp to Matz.

Whilst all this was going on, Johann was busy on the Alp, and so heard

nothing of the judgment; and as his brother entered fiercely into the

hut, and tried to pitch him out of it, he defended himself until his

herdsmen arrived, who chased him away, after having beaten him soundly.

At this reception Matz foamed with rage; so, running home, he seized

his gun, crept in the following night back to the hut in which his

brother was sleeping, and shot him dead in his bed.

But Johann’s soul was scarcely out of his body, when God’s wrath

appeared and fearfully punished the perjurer and fratricide. A terrible

storm came on with lightning, thunder, snow, hail, and wild pouring

rains, so that everything was overthrown and inundated. After that an

earthquake convulsed the ground, and on both sides the mountains fell

into the valley, covering the Alm huts and meadows more than sixty feet

deep with _débris_. The murderer was swallowed among the falling rocks,

and is condemned to suffer dreadfully beneath them. He is still heard

very often shrieking in agony, and all the pilgrimages which his family

have made for his redemption have been in vain.

As nobody could do anything with the valley covered with rocks and

stones, the decried spot fell into the hands of the monastery of

Werdenfels, and wherever it was possible, the monks have restored

cultivation, so that new forests and meadows have in course of time

sprung up upon the ruins of the once famous Alp.

A beautiful little chapel has been erected there, in which several

times during the course of the year service is performed; but the

spirit of the murderer still wanders around and groans so dreadfully

during the night, that every one is terrified. There he must remain

until the last day, and what will happen to him then God alone knows.