Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-15
KING LUDWIG A SUICIDE.
HIS PHYSICIAN DROWNED IN
TRYING TO SAVE HIM.

Evidences of a Desperate Struggle on
the shore of the Lake into which He
Plunged-The Demented Brother OF
the Dead Ruler Proclaimed King, but
the Regent to Rule.
MUNICH, June liking Ludwig, who
was recently deposed from the Bavarian
throne, committed suicide at O'Clock
yesterday evening. He had gone out for
promenade in the park OF Berg Castle,
accompanied by Or. Gudden, his physi-
clan. The King suddenly threw himself
into Starnberg lake and was drowned.
The physician jumped into the water TO
rescue the King and WAS also drowned.
The medical commission which ex-
amiued the late King report that he had
ordered the members OF the Ministerial
deputaliOn, headed by Count Holsten,
who called upon him to procure his con-
sent to regency, to be fi0gged until they
bled and then to have their eyes extrac ted.
Before his death the belief was spreading
among the common people OF Bavaria
that the Kings deposition was Illegal.
The people did not believe he was insane.
Precautions had been taken to prevent
the pOpulace from rising to restore the
King.
MUNICH IN GLOOM.
King Ludwig's suicide has cast a deep
gloom over Munich. Now it is seen
plainly that the people were deeply at
tached to the King, aud evidences are
everywhere manifested Of popular sorrow
caused by his tragic DEATH. The police
have issued the following bulletin: "The
King quietly submitted TO the advice OF
the medical commission and left for Berg
Castle. Yesterday evening his Majesty
went out for walk in the park in COM
pany with DR.. Gudden. Their prolonged
absence caused anxiety at the castle. The
park and shores OF Lake Starnberg were
searched. The bodies of the King and
DR.. Gudden were found in the water.
Both showed slight signs OF animation.
Efforts TO restore life, however, were una
vailing."
THE NEW KING.
At 10 O'Clock this morning the Generals
of the Bavarian army met and took the
oath of allegiance TO King Ludwig's
brother Otto, who at once assumes the
title of King under the name of Otto the
First. He is three years younger than
King Ludwig, having been born April y,
1913. Otto, however, will be- simply NOM
inaily King, as he is mentally incapable
of government, and Prince I4uitpold, his
uncle, will remain regent. The Generals
Of the army have taken the oath OF alle-
glance to Prince LuitpOld as regent. The
BaVarian troops took oaths similar to
those sworn to by the Generals.
THE KINGS QUIET DKMEANOR.
King Ludwig Dromenaded yesterday
morning and quietly conversed with hrs
attendsnt on the bench in the deer park,
near the point OF the lake where a piacard
Is posted iorbidding persons 30 land.
King Ludwig and DIR. Gudden dined to-
gether in the evening. The King was
composed in demeanor. He ate rapidly,
finishing the meal in half an hour. After
the King and his physician left the castle
together the attendants were ordered to
remain In the castle. At IL O'Clock last
night the two bodies were found in the
lake fifty PAGES from the shore IN five feet
of water, near the bench upon which the
two sat in the morning.
A STRUGGLE.
DR.. Gudden must have been forced be-
meath the water during the struggle, as
the Kings foot marks we're traced further
than the DOCTORS. The umbrellas OF both
and the Kings c0at and evercoat, which
had evidently been torn from his body,
we're lying on the bank OF the lake. The
dead Kings finger-nails exactly fit
scratches on DR.. Gudden's face. In a
sworn deposition, dated June 8, four
physicians who examined King Lud-
wig unanimously declared that he was
graVely deranged, his affection taking the
form known TO lunacy experts as "pa-
ranoia," which is incurable; that further
decay was certain; that the malady alb
sOlutely deprived the King Of free vOli-
tion, and that il would prevent his gov
erniug for the remainder OF his life. This
deposition was signed by Drs. Gudden,
Hagen, Grashey and HubTIch.
THE FIGHT IN THE WATER.
There are evidences that a violent
struggle occurred in the lake between
the King and DR.. Gudden in the endeaVor
OF the latter to rescue his patient. Many
footprints can be seen In the soil at the
bottom Of the lake near where the bodies
were found, and there are several bruises
on DIR. Gudden's face which were prob
ably made by the Kings finger nails.
The marks consist Of two large and two
small scratches on the right side Of the
nose aud forehead. These signs show
beyond doubt that a struggle took place.
The King, before plunging in the lake,
diVested himself Of his two coats, which
were found on the bank and led 10 the dis
coVery Of the bodies.
EVIDENCES OF SORROW.
Church bells have been sending forth
mufiled peals throughout the day. Ex-
cited and sorrowing crowds OF people
thrODged the streets despite a heavy
rain. Thousands surrounded the palace
awaiting the issue Of prOclamatlons o
regard TO the succession TO the throne.
The corpse OF the monarch will shortly
be brought to Munich aud laid in state in
the old castle chapel. The churches or
the city have been crowded all day. The
town Is draped in mourning. The troops
wer held within their barracks to-day.
The remains Of King Ludwig have ar
rived here, and have been deposited IN
the Marter kapelle. Prof. Reudinger
will hold post mortem examination to-
morrow. The funeral will probably take
place Saturday.
Die Allgemeine Ieitung says that II IL
impossible without violation OF the re-
spect due TO the dead King 10 publish the
particulars OF mis- malady. IL appeals 90
the Ultramontane press tO deer judgment,
and says that the Diet Will not embitter
the situation needlesslY.
Hichmondia Knipnfa fremnIar