On the Holy Night, Schwarzenbachers were crossing the bridge at Töbeli and saw two men who had no heads and looked like pillars of fire; there was also a large, black dog with a fiery eye. The churchgoers were sweating with fear and asked a Capuchin Priest for advice. He told them what to do if they wanted to save the poor souls. When the two headless men reappeared, they followed the Capuchin’s advice. Gratefully, they wanted to offer their hands to the churchgoers, who offered a log instead, which burned immediately. They then said: “We were Markenrücker; you have now redeemed us.” Thereupon they disappeared and were never seen again.
N. Senn, diary.
Editor’s note: A Markenrücker appears to be someone who move boundary markers in order to steal land from a neighbour. As there are plenty of stories in this volume featuring them and their punishments it was clear a practice that was common and source of discontent.
- Die Markenrücker.
In der heiligen Nacht gingen Schwarzenbacher über die Brücke beim Töbeli und sahen zwei Männer, die keinen Kopf hatten und aussahen wie Feuersäulen; auch ein grosser, schwarzer Hund mit einem feurigen Auge war da. Die Kirchgänger schwitzten vor Angst und fragten den Kapuziner um Rat. Dieser sagte, was zu tun sei, wenn man die Armen erlösen wolle. Als die zwei Kopflosen wieder zum Vorschein kamen, befolgte man des Kapuziners Rat. Dankbar wollten sie den Kirchgängern die Hand reichen; diese boten statt der Hand ein Scheit, welches sofort brannte. Jene sprachen dann: “Wir waren Markenrücker; ihr habt uns nun erlöst.” Darauf verschwanden sie und wurden nie wieder gesehen.
N. Senn, Tagebuch.
Picture generated by Midjourney AI with some editing
Tales from the Swiss Mountains / Märchen aus den Schweizer Bergen 