The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-11-19
[From GaIesburg (1Tl.) Press, Oct. 81
A NOBLE MOD.CARRIER.
Romantic Adventures OF an Aus.
trfan Baron.

ROMANTIC Adventures Oh an Au@~
trian Baron.
How often has it been said and written
that truth is stranger than fiction and
every day further yerifes and corrobo-
rates the axiom. The elements or actual
romance pcryade everything around us,
and event and accident sometimes give
birth to occurrences and incidents that
secm truly astounding. Every day men
become richer and men become poorer
With one fash Of telegraph hundreds are
ruined, and, consequently, others become
enriched. But it is not our purpose, at
present, to deal with generalitics and
speculations, but to narratc, as accurately
as possible, an event that has startled our
German citizens from their usual propri-
ETY., and caused them even, TOR time, to
forget their local church feud.
On Thursday afternoon last, Col. Carr,
the postmaster, received heavy sealed
document at his Office, postmarkcd wi
enna," and directed to .sHcrr Carl Won
yeehter, Galesburg, Knox county, State
Of Illinois, United States Of North Amer
ica." Knowing that the massive letter
must be Of importance from its crested
seals and general official appearance, he
dispatched Mr. VIM. Post, chief clerk Of
the Office, 10 search Of the Herr Won
vechter Dir. Post made diIligent inqui-
ry Of several, but could not find any trace
Of the individual wanted, until he met
with Mr.. John Loos, the we'll known sa-
loon-keepcr on the east side Of the square.
Mr. Loos knew Charley yechter; he
was working on the new hotel building,
and both walked over there, where they
found Yechier about to ascend 4 ladder,
with hod on his shoulder. When Mr..
Post handed him the letter, and he read
it, the delight Of the holman knew no
| bounds. lie threw his hod full Of brick
away, and embraced Mr.. Loos, calling
him his dearest friend The letter con-
tanned draft for $1,000, on the First
National bank Of Chicago. and he insist
ed on paying Mr.. Post $500 for being
the bearer Of such joyful tidings as the
document contained, which, of course,
Mr.. Post refu:cd
This morning Herr Won Vechter, ar
rayed in n suit Of fashionable clothing,
and having passed through the hands of
barber, called at our Office, in company
with Capt. Henry Heinrich, an attache
| Of the Free Press establishment. No
one could recognize In the noble person.
age before US the cx-hod carrier. His
manly and commanding appearance at
tractcd general attention and remark, and
the ease and suavity OF his manners were
truly remarkable. lie clearly and sue
cincily related to us the eyentful chain of
incidents in bis career, which terminated
10 his carrying a hod in Galcsburg. In
the year 1857, Herr Won Vechter, being
then 10 years old, ahd of noble family,
entered the Austrian army as lieutenant,
and, through regular gradations, in 1860
rose to the rank Of major. In the month
of September of that year he was insulted
at lcvce, by the colonel of his regiment.
Proud aud high.spirited, he resented the
insult, aud challenge passed between
the two officers. They met,--pistols at
ten paces.-and the colonel fell. With
great difficulty Vcchter eluded the au-
Ihorities. aud at length escaped to Eng
land. There he remained but short
time, and finding no suitable employment,
he embarked for the United States, and
upon his arrival proceeded TO Chicago.
lie arrived there the day the intelligence
of the fall of Fort Sumter flashed through
the country, and his means being nearly
exhausted, he enlisted IN the 9th Illinois,
then being organized. The man who
had worn the epaulets OF an Austrian Of
ficer, for more than three years carried .
musket in the ranks of that battalion,
and was severely wounded ut the battle
of Pittsburg Landing. When he was
mustered ont. he obtained employment
of various kinds. and endured many vi
cissitudes incident to the lot Of a laboring
man. He feared to write to his relatives, as
the Austrian government might learn his
whereabouts under the extradition treaty,
aud so he suffered and toiled in silence,
until finally he found himself in Gales
burg carrying hod on the new hotel.
The packet be received yesterday con-
tanned full pardon under the sign man
ue of the Emperor. The colonel had
/ only been severely wounded, and freely
acknowledged that he alone had been in
fault, aud that the duel had been one of
his own seeking. BY the death of his
uncle, on v. lnneTltS u TicA cStat6 auu
the title of baron Thus has the humble
hod. carrier been elevated and restored
to his proper place, aud at the time he
! lands in his native country, he will re-
ceive his commission of colonel of his
old regiment.
Previous to his departure, on the 9:2O
! train, for Chicago-from whence he will
60 to New York, where he will embark
For Europe, he made generous presents
10 many who had bcfriended him here.
Capt. Enrich informs US that marriage
in high life will take place in Vienna
: shortly after the baron's arrival there.
! Reader, this is an actual occurrence,
} and one that truly demonstrates that
J truth is stranger than fiction" indeed.
: 4 lady in San Francisco is having
] manufactured for the President an elegant
watch box of solid gold, bearing upon
one side the coat of arms of the State
of California, and upon the other, IN en-
amel, the Presidents name. What ONCE
does she expect, We wonder or In what