Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-10-26
&rant Gonatp ferolo
A. Strange Story-An Austrian Baron
Found Carrying a Hold at Galesburg,
Illinois. ~
efrrsm the aalessurg Free Press, Dot. %


How often has it been said and
written that ''truth is stranger than
fiction )" and every day further YER
ifies and eorroborates the axiom.
The elements of actual romance per-
vade.everything around us, and event
and accident some times give birth
to occurrences and incidents that
seem truly astounding. Every day
men become richer and men become
poorer. With one flash of the tele-
graph hundreds are ruined, and con-
sequently others become enriched.
But it is not our purpose, at present,
to deal with generalities and specu-
lations, but to narrate, as accurately
as possible, an event that has startled
our German citizens from their usual
propriety, and caused them even tor
a time to forget their church feud:
On Thursday afternoon last, Colo
mel Carr, the Postmaster, received
heavy sealed document at his office,
postmarked "Vienna," and directed
10 "Herr Carl Won Vechter, Gales
burg, Knox county, State of Illinois,
United States Of America" Know
ing that the massive letter must be
of some Importance from it's crested
seals and general official appearance,
he dispatched Mr.. VIM. Post, chief
clerk of the Office, in search of the
Herr Won Vechter. Mr. Post made
diligent inquiry of several, but could
not find any trace of the individual
wanted until he met with Mr.. John
Loos, the we'll known saloon keeper
on the east side of the square. Mr..
Loos knew a Charley Vecheter; he
was working on the new hotel build
ing, and both walked over there,
where they found Vechter about to
ascend with bod ON his shoulder.
When Mr.. Post handed him the let
ter, and he had read it, the delight
of the holman knew no bounds.
He threw his bod full of brick away,
and embraced Mr.. Loos, calling him
his dearest friend. The letter con-
tanned a draft for 81, 500 on the First
National Bank of Chicago, and he
insisted on paying Mr.. Post $500 for
being the bearer of such joyful It'd
ings as the document contained,
which, of course, Mr.. Post refused.
This morning, Herr Won Vechter,
arrayed in q suit of fashionable
clothing, and having passed through
the hands of the barber, called at our
Office in company with Captain
Henry Enrich, an attaehe of the Free
Press establishment. No one could
recognize, in the. noble looking per-
sonage before US, the ex-hod-csrrier /;
his manly and commanding appear
ance attracted general attention and
remark, and the ease and suavity Of
his manner were truly remarkable
He clearly and succinctly related to
us the eventful chain of incidents in
his career, which eventuated in his
carrying hod in Galesburg. In the
year 1857, Herr Won Vechter, being
then nineteen years old, and of a
noble family, entered the Austrian
army as Lieutenant, and through
gradations, in 1860 arrived at the
rank of Major. In the month of
September of that year he was gross
ly insulted at levee, by the Colonel
of his regiment. Proud and high
spirited, he resented the insult, and
a challenge passed between the two
officers. They met-pistols at ten
paces-and the Colonel fell With
great difficulty Vechter eluded the
authorities and escaped to England
There he remained but short time,
and finding no suitable employment
he embarked for the United States,
and on his arrival proceeded TO Chica-
go. he arrived in that city on the
day the intelligence of the fall OF
Fort Sumter flashed through the
country, and, bis means being nearly
exhausted, he enlisted in the Ninth
illinois, then being organized. The
man who bad worn the epaulets of
an Austrian officer, for more than
three years carried a musket in the
ranks of that battalion, and was Sc
verely wounded al the sanguinary
battle of Pittsburgh landing. When
he was mustered out he obtained
employment of various kinds, and
endured many vicissitudes incident
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 toiled
in silence, and finally he found him.
self in Galesburg, carrying hod on
the new hotel.
The packet he received yesterday
contained full pardon under the
sign manual of the Emperor. The
Colonel had only been severely
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 Lis uncle
Won V. inherits rich estate and the
title of Baron. Thus has the hum.
Bile hod-carrier been elevated and re.
stored to his proper place, at the
same time he lands in his native
country, he will receive his commits
sion of Colonel of his old regiment.
Previous to his departure, on the
800 train for Chicago, from whence
he will SO to New York where he
will embark for Europe-he made
generous presents to many who had
befriended him here. Captain EN-
rich informs us that a marriage in
high life viii take place in Vienna
shortly after the Baron's arrival
there.
Reader, this is an actual occur
renee, and one that truly demon
strstes that "truth is stranger than
felton," indeed.
n@-An exchange has the following