The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BAYERISCHE HIASL (PRONOUNCED HEE-UH-SELL)

IN BAVARIA THERE LIVED A MAN NAMED MATHIAS KLOSTERMAYER. HE WAS
KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE ALPS AS THE BAYERISCHE HIASL. HE WAS THE
LEADER OF A BAND OF MEN WHO ROBBED FROM THE RICH AND GAVE TO THE
POOR.
AT THIS TIME, OTHER GANGS EXISTED IN THE AREA. WHENEVER THESE
GANGS WOULD TRY TO ROB A FLOUR MILL OR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT,
THE BAYERISCHE HIASL WOULD FIGHT THE GANGS OFF.
OVER THE YEARS THE BAYERISCHE HIASL AND HIS MEN HID OUT DURING
THE DAY AND CONDUCTED THEIR BUSINESS AT NIGHT. THEY SHOT AND
KILLED PEOPLE AND FOUGHT AGAINST PROVINCIAL GUARDS.
THE BAYERISCHE HIASL WAS CAUGHT AND SENTENCED TO DEATH. AS HIS
PUNISHMENT, HE WAS TIED TO THE TOP OF A WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL WAS
SPUN UNTIL IT TORE HIM APART.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN