Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-06-25
HFPHERDSTOWN, w. VA, FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1886.

81 ,00O, 900, and only his Court Treasur-
er knows how many more millions of
debts he has left behind
King Louis's manner Of travelling
from castle to castle was quite as &C.
centric as were his habits Of seclu-
sion. He usually travelled In the dead
Of night to avoid observation, Of which
he always lived in such dread that even
at the theatre he sat in darkened box,
and allowed no one but the actors and
singers to enter the building. His car
riages and sleighs were as extravagant
and splendid in proportion as his pala-
ces. They were carved and gilded, aud
luXuriously upholstered. Carved fig
ures supported the canopies Of his
sleighs. Four horses drew the royal
carriage at the top of their speed, while
outrders In the dress Of Louis XIV.
dashed along the road with flaming
torches to light the way. So at mid
night the royal lunatic was wont 10 go
bowling along over the mountain roads,
accompanied by sounds of Gathering
hoOfs and brazen trumpets.
Louis never married. He once said
that his favors to Wagner and the elab-
crate productions of the composers
works were less costly than would have
been the maintenance of a Queen con-
sort. 1t is not likely, however, that
motives of economy Influenced him to
live single and solitary life. BY the
gossips in Muniohit used to be said that,
when on visit to Paris, King Louis
was smitten with the charms OF .he
Empress Eugene, and did not conceal
his admiration. She, the story goes,
humored him, and when he left Paris
embraced him i'm farewell at the rail-
way station.
A noted singer was once with the
King in boat, and he asked her to sing
him favorite aria. In the enthusiasm
Of the moment, and moved by her own
emotions as well as his, she threw her
arms about the Kings neck. The King,
who heard her sing with wrapt atten-
ton, was aroused by her unfortunate
demonstration and simply tossed her
overheard into the lake. She coul1
swim little, and no great harm re-
suited.
A couple of weeks ago the Kings in
sanity became so apparent that 1t was
decided to depose him. The physicians
appointed to inquire into the mental
condition of the king reported that he
was no longer capable Of governing
properly. The Kings uncle, Prince
Luitpold, thereupon issued proclama-
ton, upon the advice and with the con-
sent Of the Ministers, in which he as
sumed the Regency. When Ludwig
heard that the ministerial deputation
was approaching his Hohenschwangau
castle with letter for him to sign con-
senting to regency. he ordered his
guards to load their rifles and forcibly
prevent the deputaton from entering.
He then locked himself in an inner
room. The mountain peasantry living
In the vicinity Of the castle became
greatly excited " hen they heard what
was going on. They congregated about
the castle and threatened the lives of the
deputatiOn. Count Holstein, who led
the deputation, and who is a tall, pow
erful mar, attempted to force an en-
trance into the castle. 1t was for this
he was seized and imprisoned in the
building by order Of the King. When
the other me mbers of the deputation
saw the treatment accorded the brave
Count Holstein, they all ran away.
After awhile they returned with a
strong military escort. Then they sue
ceeded In conveying to the castle guards
and to the excited peasantry an intelli-
gible statement Of the deputation's sim
pie and harmless mission. When the
guards and peasantry understood this,
they gave away, and the deputation
were permitted to enter the castle, but
could not succeed in reaching the King.
They left Prince Luitpold's letter, re-
placed the Kings servants by others,
placed strong military Gordon around
the castle, and left two physicians to
guard the Kings room, and went away.
Subsequently, the physicians succeeded
in obtaining access to the King. They
induced him to permit himself to be re-
moved to Berg Castle, on Lake Starn-
berg.
On Sunday evening the deposed King
with an attendant went out walking
along a lake. They did not return, and
when sought for the bodies Of both were
found in the water. 1t is thought that
the King committed suicide, and in en-
deavoring to prevent him the attendant
met the same fate.