Smyrna times., 1869-11-10
A Nobleman as Hod Carrier.

On Thursday afternoon last, Col Carr, the
Postmaster, received a heavy sealed document
at his Office, postmarked "Vienna," and di-
rected to Herr Carl Won Vechter GaleSburg,
Knox county, State of Illinois, United States
OF North America" Knowing that the mas
sive letter must be of importance from its cres-
ted seals and general official appearance, he
dispatched MIR. VIM. Post chief clerk of the
office, in search of the Herr Won Vechter. Mr..
Post made diihgent inquiry of several, but
could not find any trace of the individual want
ed until he met with Mr.. John Loos the well.
known saloon keeper on the east side of the
square. Mr. Loos knew Charley Vechter;
he was working on the new hotel building. and
both walked over there, where they found Vech-
ter about to ascend the ladder with a hod on
his shoulder. When Mr. Post handed him the
letter and he read it, the delight of the hod-
man knew no bounds. He threw his hod full
of bricks away, and embraced MIR. Loos, call
ing him his dearest friend. The letter contain.
ed draft for 81 900 on the first National Bank
of Chicago, and he insisted on paying Mr.. Post
| $500 tor being the bearer of such joyful tidings
as the document contained, which of course
| Mr.. Post refused
This morning Herr Won Vechter arrayed il
a suit of fashionable cOthing, and having pass
ed through the hands of the barber, called al
our Office in company with Capt. Henry Helm
rich, an attache Of the Free Press establish
ment No one could recognize in the noble
looking parsonage before US the ex hod carrier
His manly and commanding appearance attrac
ted general attention and remark, and the east
and suavity OF his manners was truly remarka
BILE. He clearly and sufficiently related to III
the eventful chain Of incident in his carrying
} hOd in Galesburg. In the year 1857, Herr Vol
Vechter, being then nineteen years old, and 0
noble family, entered the Austrian army as
lieutenant, and through regular graduations
in 1860 rose to the lank of Major. In tn
month of September of that year he was in
7 suited at levee by the colonel of his Iegi
ment Proud and high-spirited, he resente
the insult, and a challenge was passed betwee
, the two officers
They met-pistOls at ten paces-and the colo
/; mel fell With great difficulty Vechter eludet
: the authorities, and at last escaped to England
There he remained but a short time and fine
ing no suitable employment he embarked ft
the United States, and upon his arrival proceed
e ed to Chicago. He arrived here the day tn
intelligence of the fall OF Fort Sumter Aashe
e through the country, and his means being nea
ly exhausted, he enlisted in the ninth IllinOi
then being organized. The man who had wor
: the epaulets of an Austrian officer for MOI
L than three years carried muSket in the ranl
of that battalion, and was severely wOunde
at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. When
+. was mustered out he obtained employment
various kinds, and endured many vicissitud
incident to the lot of laboring man. He fea
ed to write to his relatives, as the Austrian go
ernment might learn his whereabouts and eau
his apprehension under the extradition treat
and so he suffered and toiled in silence, until
nally he found himself in Galesburg carrying
I'd hod on the new hotel.
As The packet he received yesterday containt
e full pardon under the sign manualo the Ell
peror. The colonel had only been severe
as wounded, and freely acknowledged that
alone had been in fault, and that the duel HI
m been of his own seeking. By the death of
y. uncle, Won V. inherits rich estate and Il
y title of Baron. GalesJurg (M.) Press, Oct.