A royal huntsman’s tragic end. That’s what the Busse-Stein commemorates. Before you stands this memorial a somber reminder of a life cut short. This unassuming stone in Empelde a Ronnenberg district tells the story of Wilhelm Busse a royal huntsman.
In 1842 in the Empelder Holz a forest rich with game Wilhelm encountered four poachers. A deadly confrontation ensued. Busse was fatally shot. His body was hidden but later found by a farmer. The ensuing trial led to the conviction of the perpetrators. One was hanged. Three others faced lengthy prison sentences. The Busse-Stein is a testament to this tragic event a symbol against violence.
The memorial itself is a remarkable piece. It’s crafted from Deistersandstein a local sandstone. Its design is similar to Ernst von Bandel’s Eltendenkmal in the Deister mountains. It’s about one and a half meters high. The inscriptions detail Busse’s life and death. They speak of his loyalty and dedication. His death underscores the dangers faced by those who protect the royal forests.
The Busse-Stein’s location has changed throughout history. Initially in the Empelder Holz the forest was cleared. The stone then stood in an open field. Later it was moved near a potash mine’s waste heap. Finally in 1995 it found its current home a plateau overlooking the former mine site. It stands as a poignant reminder of a royal huntsman a brutal crime and the enduring impact of violence. The Busse-Stein a silent sentinel in the landscape. A place for reflection on a life lost too soon. A constant reminder of the price of duty.