The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-10-21
A STRANGE STORY OF REAL LIFE.

a STRANGE STORY OF REAL LIFE.
An Austrian Baron Found Carrying a Hod
on the New Hotel.
From the Galesburg (nl) Free Press, Oct. 81
On Thursday afternoon last, Colo
mel Carr, the Postmaster, received a
heavy sealed document at his Office,
postmarked "Vienna," and directed TO
&" Herr Carl Won Vechter, Galesburg.
Knox County, State of Illinois. United
States of North America" Knowing
that the massive letter must be film
portance, from its crested seals and
general official appearance, he dis
patched Mr.. William Post, chief clerk
of the Office, in search Of Herr Won
Vechter. Mr. Post made dilligent in
quiry of several, but could not find
any trace of the individual wanted,
until he met Mr.. John Loos, the well
known saloon-keeper on the east side
of the public square. Mr.. Loos knew
Charley Vechter; he was working
on the new hotel building, and both
walked over there, where they found
Vechter about to ascend a ladder with
a hod on his shoulder. When Mr..
Post handed him the letter, and he
had read it, the delight of the hod-
man knew no bounds. He threw his
hod full ofbrick away and embrace d
Mr.. Post, calling him his dearest
friend. The letter contained draft
for 81, 800 on the First National Bank
of Chicago, and he insisted on paying
Mr.. Post $500 for being the bearer of
such joyful tidings as the document
contained, which, of course, Mr.. Post
refused.
In the year 1857, Herr Won Vechter
being then nineteen years old, and of
u noble family, entered the Austrian
army as Lieutenant, and through reg
ular gradations, in 1860, arrived at the
rank of Major. In the month of Sep
tember, of that year, he was grossly
insulted, at levee, by the Colonel of
his regiment. Proud and high-spirit-
ed, he resented the insult, and chal-
lenge was passed between the two
officers. They met-pistols at ten
paces-and the Colonel fell! With
great difficulty Vechter eluded the
authorities, and at length escaped to
England. There he remained but a
short time, and finding no suitable
employment he embarked for the
United States, and, upon his arrival,
proceeded to Chicago. He arrived in
that city on tue day the intelligence
of the fall of Fort Sumpter flashed
through the country, and his means
being nearly exhausted, he enlisted in
the Ninth Illinois, then being organ
lied. The man who had word the
epaulets of an Austrian officer for
more than three years, carried mus
ket in the ranks of that battalion, and
was severely wounded at the sanguin-
airy battle of Pittsberg Landing.
When he was mustered out, he got
employment of various kinds, and en-
dured many vicissitudes incident to
the lot of a labaring man. He feared
to write to his relatives, as the Aus
trian Government might learn his
whereabouts and cause his apprehen-
sion under the EXtradition Treaty.
until finally he found himselfin Gales
burg, carrying a hod. on the new hotel
Fl The packet he received contained a
full pardon under the sign manual Of
the Emperor. The Colonel had only
been severely wounded, and freely
acknowledged that he had been al
fault, and that the duel had been o.
his own seeking. By the death of his
uncle, Won V. inherlts rich estate
and the title of Baron. Thus has the
humble. hod-carrier been elevated and
restored to his proper place, as at the
same time he lands in his native coun
try he will receive his commission a.
Colonel of his old regiment.
! Previous to his departure on thu
9 90 train for Chicago-from whence
he will embark for Eurcpe-he made
generous presents to many who hat
befriended him here. Captain Emricl
! informs us that a marriage in higl
life will take place in Vienna shortl!
after the Baron's arrival there.