Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-10-22
Romantic Adventures of an Austrian
~, Baron.

How often has it been said and written
that Truth is stranger than fiction "
and every day further verfies and corrob-
crates the axiom The clements of actual
romance pervade everything around us,
and event and accident sometimes give
birtlflto occurrences and incidents that
seem truly astounding. Every day men
becomes richer and men become poorer.
With one flash Of the telegraph hundreds
are ruined; and, consequently, others
become enriched. But it is not our pur-
pose, at present, to deal with generalities
and speculations,- but to narrate as accu-
rately as spossible, an event that has star
tied our German citizens from their usual
propricty, and caused them even, for a
time, to, forget their local church feud.
On Thursday afternoon last, Col Carr,
the postmaster, received heavy sealed
document at his office, postmarked,
Vienna" and directed to Herr Carl
Won Vechtcr, Galesbufg, Knox County,
State Of illinois, United States of North
America. Knowing that the massive let
ter must be of Importance from its crested
seals and general official appearance, he
dispatched Mr.. William Post, chief clerk
OF the Office, in search of the Herr Won
Vechter. Z Mr. Post made diligent inquiry
of severals but could not find any trace of
the individual wanted, 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
Nechter about to ascend ladder, with a
hod on, ahis shoulder. When MIR. Post
handed him the letter, and he had read it,
the delight of the hodman knew no bounds,
He threw his hod full of bricks away, and
embraced Mr.. Loos, calling him his dear
est friend, The letter contained a draft
for $1,000, on the First National Bank oi
Chicago,and he insisted on paying Mr.
Post $500 for being the bearer of such
joyful tidlngs as the documents contained,
which, of course, MIR. Post refused
This morning, Herr Won Vechter, ar
rayed in a 'sDit iof fashionable clothing, and
having passed through the hands of the
barber, called at our office, in company
with Capt. Henry Heinrich, an attache of
the HEee, Press establishment No one
could recognize in the noble looking per
sohage before us the ex-hod-carrer. His
manly ~and commanding appearance at
tracted general attention and remark. and
the ease and suavity of his manners were
truly remarkable. He clearly and suc
cinctly related TO us the eyentful chain of
incidents in his career, which terminated
in his carryiifg q hod in Galesburg. In
the year 1857, Herr Won Vechter, being
then 10 years old, land of noble family,
entered the Austrian army as lieutenant,
and, through regular graduations, in 1860
rose to the rank of major. In the month
OF SeptemhgITW of that year he was insulted
at levee,S by The colonel of his regiment
Proud and high spirited he resented the
insult, and challenge was passed be.
tween the two officers They met--pis.
tolls at ltenI paces-and the colonel fell.
With great1difficulty Vechter eluded the
authorities, and at length escaped to Eng
land. There he remained but a short
time, and finding no suitable employment,
upon his arrival proceeded to Chicaeo He
arrivedthefe'the day the Intelligence Of
the fall of Fort Sumter flashed thronch
the country, and his means being nearly
exhausted, he enlisted In the 9Th mi