The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-09-14
.BIack.arntIin. an Emperor.


chief OF bureau in the Austrian War De
partment, on nine charges OF larceny, em
beZzlement, extortion, and bIack-mailing
The fact that the person whom the accused
attempted to black-mail was no other than
the Emperor Francis Joseph, as well as the
very singular and decidedly romantic man
ner in which the accused was enticed back
to Austria from the United States, to which
he had fed, will make this one OF the causes
celebres OF our time. Won Lameeh was
appointed, IN 1856, private secretary ot
the Archduke Maximilian, aftelward
Emperor Of Mexico, where he wa,
placed in charge OF the Emperor's
so-called private cabinet. In that ca
pacity he read every confidential letter.
Among these were many autograph ones
from the Emperor Francis Joseph, between
whom and his ili-fated brother dissensions
existed. The correspondence was acrimo-
nious, and in some instances contained
charges and counter charges OF very un-
brotherly character. The Empress Carlotta
had a bitter quarrel Of long standing with
her sister-in-law, the Empress Elizabeth.
After the collapse of the Mexican empire the
palace of Maximilian in the capital was de-
spoiled OF everything valuable. Baron Won
Lamech fled to Europe with
THE WHOLE CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
of Macmillan. The Emperor OF Austria
was naturally desirous to recover his letters.
Lamech, In a private audience, assured him
that the correspondence was in the hands OF
Juarez, and, in consequence, negotiations
Tor its return were opened with the Presi-
dent OF the Mexican republic. To ingra-
tiate himself with the Emperor, Won Lamech
assured him that he believed the Mexican
mob had destroyed the damaging letters.
Francis Joseph thereupon gave him lucra-
tive position in the Austrian War De-
partment. In 1869 Lamech married the
daughter of Count koloschin, who
brought him dover OF 100000 flo
rims. This large fortune he spent with
in two years in gambling at the Bourse. In
1873 he was not only penniless, but heavily
in debt. Then he began to appropriate to
his own use funds belonging to the Depart
ment. He embezzled nearly three hundred
thousand forms, and he succeeded in keep.
ing this wholesale larceny secret by bribine
the chief clerk of the bureau. During this
time he became estranged from his wife,
who brought an action for separation
Lamech succeeded in defeating the action
His father-in-law, Count Koloschin, ir
consequence, publicly COW lided him.
This castigation led to Lamech's dis
missal from the Department. He i'm
medately went to Paris, from which
city lie addressed letter to the En-
peror, offering to recover for him the pri
vate correspondence for two hundred an(
fifty thousand florins. The Emperor actu
ally sent confidential agent to Paris, where
he met Lamech, and upon the latter repre-
senting that he had received an offer from ;
Mexican politician for the restoration O
the correspondence, paid him fifty thousant
florins on account.
FOR AMERICA.
With this sum and the damaging letters
Won Lamech fed to New York, where h
arrived in October, 1875. Meanwhile hi
deialcation had been discovered, and an Off
cial investigation became necessary. La
mech's accomplice was allowed to escape t.
Germany. 1t was deemed necessary, how
ever, to bring about Lamech's return to vi
emma, so as to silence him, il possible, for
ever. On the day after his arrival in New
York he wrote letter to Francis Joseph
informing him that he had the coveted
letters, and that he would surrende
them for 100000 florins. Austrian
detectives were called together to sugges
the most feasible scheme for bringin:
the fugitive back to Vienna without attract
ing public attention. It was decided not t
apply to the United States authorities for til
extradtion of Baron Won Lamech, becars
such step would inevitably lead to the pub
lication of the letters. Finally, the follow
ing strange plan was agreed upon: 1t hat
been discovered that the woman who's
favor Lamech had assiduously courted du
ring the last few months prior to his tiigh
was violinist, playing at the Orpheum
named Barbara Weinnman. She was n
great musician, but otherwise very brigh
girl.
AN AUSTRIAN DELILAH.
On the I'd of January, 1876, the Austrian
Chief of Police informed her of the infa
nous conduct Of the fugitive. The Chic
then asked her il she would like to earl
fifty thousand florins. The girl was per
fectly dazzled. "What mean is this: Yo1
shall have the sum / mentioned ii you vii
get Lamech back to any European country
He is in the United States. You shall hav
full instructions and be literally providet
with funds" She did give her consent
and then she was placed in charge OF thre
English women, who were strictly forbid
den to talk to her anything but English
Bright Mile. Weinmann, under this etfectiv
treatment, three months afterwards was abl
to converse with tolerable fluency in Eng
lish.
In May she departed for New York, wher
IN agent assisted her in her search for La
mech. Several traces Of the fugitive wer
discovered, but he had disappeared in
mysterious manner. Mile. Weinmann mex
went to Philadelphia. Returning to New
York, she joined one OF the ladies' orches
tras on the Bowery, and advertised for La
mech. On the Cd OF June, at last she re
ceived an answer. Lamech, having beer
present at bar-room quarrel on east Hous
ton street, had been arrested and
SENT TO BLACKwELL's ISLAND
for three months. Mile. Weinmann, witt
the assistance OF the agent, secured his re
lease. On Blackwel's Island he had beer
under the name of Lamm. Mile. Vein
mann represented to Lamech that she hat
come to America only because she coult
not live without him. He believed ever,
word she told him, and his suspicious were
not aroused even when she begged him t.
60 with her to London, where she said sh'
could get good engagement at one OF the
variety theatres.
He WAS so EEAMORED
of her that he embarked with her on a Cunart
steamer. at Liverpool he was arrested ant
taken in irons to Vienna. All his paper
and thirty-tiye thousand aorins were fount
in his trunk. The indictment against hin
had been prepared long ago, and two week
after his arrival he was placed on his trial
BE appeared in court deeply deiected: H'
shed tears during the reading OF th'
long acte daccuSation. But when Barbar'
Weinmann took the stand he buried hi;
face in his hands and burst into convulslyt
sobs. The defalcation in the War De