Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-10-26
MIsOELLIEE0Usi,.
from the Galesburg tiiI.) Pre.s. October 81
A Noble Hod-Carrier = Romantic Adj
ventures of an Austrian RSrbp;


On Thursday afternoon last Colonel Carr,
the postmaster, received n heavy sealed docu-
ment at his office, postmarked 'Vienua," aud
directed to Herr Carl Won Vechter, Gales
burg, Knox county, State of Illinois, United
States of North America" Knowing that
the massive letter must be of importance from
its crested seals and general official appear
auce, he dispatched Mr. William Post, chief
clerk of the office, in search Of the Hesr-yon
Vechtcr Mr.. Post made diligent inquiry of
several but could not find any trace of tho
individual wanted, until he met with Mr..
John LOos, the well known SALOON keeper ON
the east side of the square. Mr.. Loos knew
a Charley Vechter; he was working on the
new hotel building, aud both walked over
there, where they found Ve6hter about to ass
ceud ladder with hod on his 6hohlder.-
When Mr.. Post handed him tho letter, and
he read it, the delight CT the holman knew
no bounds. He threw his hodful of brick
away aud embraced Mr.. Loos, calling him
his dearest friend. The letter contained 9
draft for ST 900 on the First National BanR
of Chicago, and he insisted on paying Mr.;
Post $500 TO being the bearer of such joyful
tidiugs as the document contained, which, OF
course, Mr. Post refused.
This morning Herr yon Vechter, afrayed
in suit of fashionable clothing, and having
at our Office in company with Captain Henry
Heinrich an attaehe OF the Free Pres estab-
lishment No one could recognize Id the no.
ble>IooknC parsonage before US the ex-hod-
carrier. His manly and commanding ap-
pearance attracted general attention and re-
mark, and the ease and suavity Of his man
ners were truly remarkable. lie clearly and
succiuctly related to US the eventful chain OF
incidents in his career, which terminated in
his carrying bod in Galesburg. In the year
1857 Herr Won Vechter (being then nineteen
years old and of noble family entered the
Austrian army as lieutenant, and through reg
ular graduations, in 1860 rose TO the rank OF
major. In the month of September of that
wear he was insulted at levee by the colonel
Of his regiment. Proud and high-spirited,
he resented the insult, and a challenge was
passed between the two officers. They met
1pistols at ten paees) and the Colonel fel.--
| With great difficulty Vechtet eluded the jau-
thorities, and at length escaped to Englard-
| There he remained but short time, and h1a-
| ing no suitable employment, he embarked Tor
the United States, ard Upon his Arrival pro-
ceeded to Chicago. He arrived here theIday
the intelligence of the fall Of Fort Sumter
flashed through the country, and his means
being nearly exhausted, he enlisted y the
Ninth Illinois, then being organized. CIhe
man VINO DaQ WOTu 6pauiSao VI
triap officer for more than three years carried
a musket in the ranks of that battalion, and
was severely wounded at the battle of Pitts
burg Landing. When he was mustered out
lie Obtained employment Of various kiras, aud
endured many vicissitudes incident to tho lot
of Iaboripg man. He feared to write to his
relatives, as the Austrian Government might
learn his whereabouts and cause his appre-
hension under the extradition treaty, and so
he suffered and toiled in silence, until finally
| he found himself in Galesburg carrying hod
on the new hotel. g,
The packet he received yesterday contained
! 4 full pardon under the sign manual OF the
Emperor. The Colonel had only been severe
" wounded, and freely acknowledged that he
alone had been in fault, and that the duel had
been Of his own seeking. BY the death OF
his uncle. Won. v. inherits rich estate and
the title of Baron.