Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-21
strange story Of Real Life-An Aus.
trfan Baron Found Carrying a H0d.

trian Baron Found Carrying a Hod.
From the Galesburg (Ill.) Free Press. Oct. 9Th ]
On Thursday afternoon last, Col. Carr,
the postmaster, received heavy sealed
document at his office post.marked Wen
ns, and directed to 'Herr Carl Won Vech-
ter, Galesburg, Knox county, State OF IL.
liuois, United Statesof North America" {"
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, in
search OF Herr Won Vechter. Mr.. Post
made diligent inquiry of several, but
could net fad any trace of the individual
wanted until he met Mr., John Loos, the
well-known saloon keeper on the east
side of the square. Mr.. Loos knew a
Charley Vechter; be was working on the
new hotel building, and both walked
over there, where they found Vechter
about to ascend q ladder with hod on
his shoulder. When Mr.. Post handed
him the letter and he had read it, the de-
light of the holman knew no bounds. He
threw his hod full Of brick away, and en-
braced Mr.. Post, calling him his dearest
friend. The letter contained draft for
81 500 on the First National Bank OF
Chicago. and be insisted on paying Mr.
Post $500 for being the bearer of such
joyful tidings as the document contained,
which, CT course, Mr.. Post refused.
In the year 1857, Herr Won Vechter,
being then nineteen years old, and of o
noble family, entered the Austrian army
as Lieutenant. and, through regular gra-
dations, in 1860 arrived at the rank of
M.jor. In the month Of September, of
that year, he was grossly insulted, at a
levee, by the Colonel of his regiment.
Proud and high.spirited, be resented the
insult, and a challenge was passed be-
tween the two officers. They met-pis-
tolls at ten paces-snd the Colonel fell
With great difficulty Vechter eluded the
authorities, and 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.
He arrived in that city on the day the in
telligence of the fall of Fort Sumter
flashed through the country, and mis-
means being nearly exhausted, he enlisted
in the Ninth Illinois, then being organ
lied. The man who had worn the epau-
lettes of an Austrian officer for more than
three years, carried musket in the ranks
of that battalion, and was severely
wounded at the sanguinary battle of Pitts
burg Landing. When be was mustered
out, be obtained employ yment Of various
kinds, and endured many vicissitudes in
cident to the lot of a laboring man. He
feared to write to his relatives, as the
Austrian Government might learn his
whereabouts and cause his apprehension
under the extradition treaty, and so he
suffered and toied 10 silence, until finally
be found himself in Galesburg, carrying
q hod on the new hotel. su,--
The packet he received yesterday con-
tanned full pardon under the sign man
ual of the Emperor. The Colonel had
only been severely wounded, and freely
acknowledged that he had been in fault,
and that the duel had been Of his own
seeking By the death Of his urcle, Won
v. inberits Q rich estate and the title of
Baron. Thus has the humble hod carrier
been elevated and restored to bis proper
place, and at the same time be lands in
his native country he will receive his COM
mission as Colonel of his old regiment.
Previous to bis departure on the $40
train for Chicago-from whence he will
20 to New York, where be will embark
for Europe--he made generous presents
to many who had befrieuded him here.
Captain Enrich informs us that mar
risge in high life will take place in
Vienna shortly after the Bsron's arrival
there.