The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-26

A commission issuing out Of the Supreme Court Of
the State OF New York to inquire into the alleged
lunacy and unsoundness of mind Of George +. Won
Beck, resident Of Rondout il now IN session at
Kingston. The petitioners are Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford,
OF New York. son.in-law and daughter, and George
+. Won Beck, Jr., son OF George +. Won Beck by q
second wife.
THE ALLEGED LuNATIc.
Major George f. Won Beck Is, IL is claimed, a
descendant OF the German nobility, and about
seventy years OF age. His career has been very
marked and checkered one. Receiving his education
at one Of the best OF German universities he gradu.
ated with high honors, and at an early age chose
the profession Of civil engineer, and was
one Of four persons who resurveyed the boun
Diary lines between France and Germany
His services this occasion were duly
recognized end highly appreciated by the
government, and he was presented with
gold medal by the King OF Bavaria. He afterward
went TO spain and joined the Spanish army In the
war against France, holding commission as an
oflcer on the star of the commanding general. Dur
ing the war he received severe wound in the side,
which incapacitated him Tor further service. He
then returned to Faderland, where ne married, and
shortly alterward was made Mayor OF Salzburg,
which position he filled with honor and dignity for
SEVERAL years. Tic uIIlVe part III one Oh the
revolutions which have periodically shaken the Ger
man principalities and upon the unsuccessful ter
minauon OF the struggle ne was forced to flee the
country. Leaving his wife and FIVE children behind,
he sailed for America, landing in New York with
very little money and friends, his estates in the
Old Country having been conhscated by the King.
After searching around New York Tor employment,
and finding none, he concluded to invest what little
money he mad in hand organ, and the once recIp-
lent OF klngly Iavor5 became
AN ORGAN GRINDER,
ana Tor several months ground out his daily sub
sistence in that impecunlous calling. At last, be-
coming sick and disguised with this mode OF lie, he
succeeded in Obtaining situation as farm hand in
Ulster county, Here ne began The STUDY Of the Eng
Asn language ana very soon mastered 1t, as he had
already The German, French, spanish and Italian.
He then taught school for some time, after which he
took charge OF u canal boat on the Delaware and
Hudson Canal. While thus employed little incident
TRANSFERRED which was the steppingstone from PEN
ury to ailuencc. break had occurred in the canal
and MI. LORD, the chief surveyor and engineer OF
the company, was about taxing the measurements
OF the break preparatory TO hayng 1t repaired when
Won Beck stepped forward, paced out The base ilDe
made trigononetricai calculation, and informed Mr.
Lord the distance OF the break, at which he was
very much surprised and, becoming i,Herested In
him, he secured Tor him position In the company's
employ. His business qualities soon became mani
ter. About this time ne wooed, won and welded
Miss Jane Demlng, OF Eodyyille, keeping his former
marriage profound secret He remained in the en-
poy OF The company for several years. until in
accuracies We're found III his books and he forced
10 resign retiring from the company with large for
tune.
He few years ago identified himself with the
state militia, ana Was very instrumental and active
in raising IL TO high standard of excellence, and as
recognition OF his services, was presented by Gov
ernor Seymour with sword formerly owned by
Lafayette.
dead, he sent to Germany for his children. They
came, and not wishing his family here to know oil
his former marriage, he introduced his children into
his household as servants. They soon married and
in a few years became alenated from the atfectlons
OF the father who seemed to all his Kindness
ana a1ectiOn Tor the children oil his last marriage.
Becoming alarmed, he petitoned the Legislature to
pass an act legalizins MS second marriage and
legitimatizng the children, which act was passed
by tne Legislature In the year o44 which virtually
legalzed
MoRMoNIsM
This law, 1t is scarcely necessary to saw was
clearly illegal and unwarranted and IN direct viola
ton Of that provision Of the constitution OF the
United States which declares that no State shall pass
q law tmpalrlng the obligation OF contracts,
THE APPEARANCE OF MRS. Won BECK NO.
at Rondout this spring, after separation from her
husband OF over forty years. caused great on
the part OF his second wife ana children. The old
man at once forsook his second love and took up his
Beck No. 2 being IN delicate health, soon plned
away and
DIED OF BROKEN HEART
in less than month alter the arrival Of wife NO.
ana the cruel desertOn OF her husband since which
time the affections OF the father have been transferred
slowed upon the child OF his first wife. Il Is al
legged by the petitioners that In the year 1865 their
father mad second severe stroke OF paralysis which
has affected his mind and body to such an extent as
to totally incapacltate him for business and the con-
trol OF his property. And 1t is ursher alleged that
he Is deciding to certain OF his children his properly
without compensation or consideration. And the
petitioners pray that trustees may be appointed to
take charge Of his estate with the view that the pro-
perty upon his death may be divided equally among
Ill the children
The evidence in this suit will no doubt be decidedly
and the proceedings VIII be watched
VITA great interest by the legal fraternity as deter
mining at what point man Is Incapable Of control
my his own affairs.