Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-10-26
MIsCELL4YEOUS.
tFrOm the Galssburg tII.) Pre.s. October 81
A Noble Hod-0arrier = Romantic Adj
ventures of an Austrian Baron


On Thursday afternoon last Colonel Carr,
the postmaster, received heavy sealed docu-
ment at his office, postmarLed "Vienna," aud
directed to "Herr Carl Won Vechter, Gales
burg, Knox county, State of Illinois, United
States of North America" Knowing that
the massiva 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 Herr-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 Vechterj he was working on the
new hotel building, and both walked over
there, where they found YeGhter about to aS1'
cend a ladder with hod on his 6hohlder.-
When Mr. Post handed him tho letter, and
he read it. the delight of the holman knew
no bounds. He threw his hodful of brick
away, aud embraced Mr.. Loos, calling him
his dearest friend The letter contained q
draft for ST 900 ON the First National BanE
of Chicago, and he insisted on paying Mr.,
Post $500 70 being the bearer of such joyful
tidings as the document contained, which, OF
course, Mr.. Post refused.
This morning Herr von Vechter, afrayed
in suit of fashionable clothing, and having
passed through the hands of the barber, called
at our office in company with Captain Henry
Heinrich, an attache OF the Free t2reES estab-
lishment. No one could recognize ID the mo-
ble-looking parsonage before us the ex-hod-
carrier His manly and commanding ap>
pearance attracted general attention and re-
mark, and the ease and sunvity Of his man
ners were truly remarkable. He clearly and
succiuctIy related TO US the oventful chain OF
lad in
his carving bod in Galesburg. In the year
1857 Herr Won Vechter (being then nineteen
wears 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 a levce by the colonel
of his regiment Proud and high-spirited,
he resented the insult, and challenge was
passed between the two officers. They met
lpistols at ten paees) and the Colonel fell
With great difficulty Vechtef eluded the iat-
thofities, and at length escaped to England.
There he remained but short time, and fnd-
ing no suitable employment, he embarked tor
the United States, ahd Upon his- Arrival pro-
ceeded to Chicago. lie arrived here theday
the intelligence of the fall of Fort Sumter
flashed through the country, and his means
being nearly exhausted, he enlisted ID the
man who had worn the epaulets Of an AusS
trian 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 and
endured many vicissitudes incident to the lot
of laboring 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 bod
on the new hotel.
The packet he received yesterday contained
full pardon under the sign manual OF the
Emperor. The Colonel had only been severe
IL 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, von. " inherits rich estate and
the title Of Baron.