The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-08

STORY OF A WEALTHY YOUNG GERMAN WI
rouNn GRAVE IN THE pOTTFR's FIELD.

STORY OF WEALTHY YOUNG GERMAN WHO
fouNn A GRAVE IN THE poTTER's FIELD.
A New York special to the Louisville
Com'ier-Journdl says: The body OF Joseph
Mangersdorf, wealthy German count,
who died at Roosevelt Hospital May 20,
1880, Is resting at Potter's field, while bis
claimants, who have Just succeeded I'm
tracing him up, are about contestlng their
respective titles 10 his fortune on the
grounds OF legal marriage. The arlsto-
cratic family OF the Count, at the same
time, turn q deaf ear to both claimants,
and will probably interpose all obstacles
possible to prevent a speedy settlement OF
the estate.
The young Counts parents placed him
lat Heidelberg for the purpose Of fitting
him Tor a professional career, but before
receiving all his degrees he became addict
ed to fast living, and, like most CAV young
bloods, he was soon deeply involved In
love intrigues. Among his fair enslavers
was one in particulars pretty peasant
girl, who lived beside the Neckar. under
the shades OF the Geisberg. He took her
to the old baronial mansion and asked the
consent and blessing OF his parents. but
they opposed the match TO the bitter end,
and the discounted young man gathered
up his available funds and left home to
wander over the continent.
After few years OF extreme unhappi-
ness he reioined his Heidelberg lass and
sailed for America. They arrived in New
York early in 1877. and were soon after
married by the Rev. DR.. Reagner at the
Lutheran church in Sixth street. They
went TO housekeeping in Nineteenth street
and lived in frst-ciass style, moving in the
best German society and making many
warm friends. With all the characteristics
OF the industrious German, the Count,
being now settled, looked about for busi-
ness, and with his recommendations he
had no trouble in securing position. He
was employed some months at 4 wholesale
chemical house, and at another time he
was the American agent for large Ger
man clubhouse. lie did good business
and added to his bank account.
His taste for fast life returned to him,
however. and he left his steady, thrifty
peasant wife and rented rooms i'm west
Thirtieth street and boarded at the Gilsey
House. He entertained his new acquaint-
ances In fine style, and was reticent about
his past life. 1t is said that he ran through
$4,000 In three months. AS he was now
moving in an entirely different class OF so
ciety, his old friends were effectually cut
of, and accident never threw them in his
way. They thought he had fed the coun-
try or committed suicide under temporary
insanity.
He fell il love with Washington lady,
who was promising candidate for stage
honors. They were married before Il
notary public in New York, and the GER
s.E q Of To-
record. 1t was submitted to the counsel
for the Board OF Health and respectfully
returned, with the memorandum that the
statutes did nOtrecOgnize marriage by n
notary. After several months the Count
turned up at Roosevelt Hospital, Fiity-ninth
street and Central Park. without trace as
to his identity, and died May 90, 1880, and
was sent to the Morgue May odd. His
photograph was taken by Mr.. o. G. Mason,
photographer OF the Morgue, and the body
Of the Count was buried in the Potter's
field. His first wife employed a man to look
for him. The second wife also had de-
tective out on the same mission.
About two weeks since several parties
applied to Mr.. White, keeper Of the
Morgue, and identified photograph as
that OF the missing Count. His effects and
the record Of the case were in cabinet
locked up and the key had been lost. A
Iocksmith was brought last week and the
rusty lock forced. The Morgue photo
graph showed fee apparently fifty years
old, while the friends claimed the Count
was only thirty-eight. The other evidence,
however, tailed with the statements OF the
claimants. and the body and effects were
pllccd subject to their order. Mrs. Man.
gersdori has retained a lawyer to present
her case before the surrogate. Wife No. 2
will be represented by another lawyer.
The Counts fortune is estimated at $780,
600