The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-14
THE THREE JOLLY JoKERs.
How the Americans are Working
Wurtemburg's Ciddy King.

This announcement of the arrival of the
daughter of Baron" Savage Woodcock, the
American favorite of King Charles of Wurt-
emburg, on this side of the water has awaken
ed anew the discussion OF the three Americans
who have become the central figures of King
Charles court and have ruled that monarch
at their will People who know the three
men say that the only dangerous one to the
interests of the people of Wurtemburg, is
Woodcock; The other two are described as
harmless, happy go lucky fellows who are as
fond OF ease and amusement as the imbecile
king, and have become his favorites because
their natures are similar to his own. Wood
cock alone, they say, is pleasure seeker for
a purpose. and while he has been making
himself solid-to use an American slang
phrase-with the King, he has been plotting
for power in the future, and has not little
alarmed the Stuttgartans, who have the in
terest OF their country at heart. An Ameri-
can c who was for some years a resident at
Jackson" the first of King Charles American
fav0rites, as well as he knows his own father
tells an interesting and amusing story of the
growth OF Jackson's influence over the King
Jackson, he said yesterday. .hails from
the seventies, intending to make himself an
accomplished musician. He had great pas
sion for music. and thought he had talents
which would, with proper training, make him
famous as pianist He became very hard
student. In fact he practiced so hard that he
ruptured the tendons of his wrist and was
forced to abandon his idea of becoming the
successor of Mozart and Reubenstein. This
made it necessary for jackson to look around
for something else to devote himself to, and
he concluded to become a diplomatic. He
cast about, and after ten years he succeeded
In getting appointed an extra clerk in the
United Skates Consulate at Stuttgart, where
he was very useful because of his knowledge
Of the German language. This was when Mr..
Potter was transferred to the consulate at
Dusseldorf by President Arthur. and George
l.. Catlin made his successor at Stuttgart,
jackson was promoted to the Vice Consul
ship. he was quick 'witted, merry fellow
then. fond of jokes and amusement, and was
about 80 years of age. One day in the sum-
mer of 1882 jackson was walking in front of
the palace on the street between the palace
and the royal gardens when the King came
along, accompanied by some of the officers of
Majesty, at the same time removing his hat.
The sidewalk was very irregular at the spot
and the polite American stumbled, and in his
effort to straighten himself up ran his head
When they had recovered from the shock the
King said, "Ah, Is this Herr Jackson?" Jack
son said it was Excuses and apologies were
exchanged and the two parted, That night
jackson wrote out very elaborate, super
cilious and fattering apology to the King and
sent it TO one of the officers, who read 1t to
King Charles. 1t tickled the Kings vanity
so thoroughly that he opened correspond
ence with jackson, and for six months they
were in constant communication with each
other. Then the King offered to make him
bookkeeper to the Royal Chancellerie, and
jackson resigned his Vice Consulship and -ac
cepted After that his star rose steadily.
The King first appointed him Gesellschafter,
or companion, and then Hofrath, or Privy
Court Councillor. Then jackson became the
most potent factor in the kingdom, and was
advanced TO the rauk of Chamberlain.
When jackson occupied his position as the
Kings companion his duties were to play
cards with the King and amuse him generally.
In short, he was the Kings jester. But he
was by no means his fool for the King gave
him handsome house adjoining the palace.
furnished him splendid suit OF servants in
livery and fixed him up generally in Thorough
ly regal way. Jackson's servants also wore
the Kings livery. Those of the Queen wear
red knickerbockers. Those Of the King wear
blue. Jackson's servants could only be rec
ognized by those who knew them personally
SO like We're they in dress unto the servants
Of the King. .Jackson's appointment was for
appearance the Baron won Jackson" who
has, of course renowned his allegiance to his
native land and become citizen Of Wurtem-
burg, is rather handsome man. He is a
large and well built man, weighing from ITO
to 175 pounds, has blonde moustache and hair
and blue eyes. jackson went around travel
Ing with the King, and whenever he was
away from home he was allowed extra
money Tor his dress and that of his suit.
King Charles also has summer abode on the
Lake OF Constance at place called Fried
richhaven. jackson always accompanied him
when he went there. Here they would shoot,
fish and make merry. There was great riv-
airy between them as 20 which should prove
the superior sportsman, and the King never
became angry when jackson bagged the most
game. jackson was great nobleman until
he introduced Woodcock and Hendry into
the charmed circle. Then Woodcock got the
upper hand, and Jackson had to take back
seat. But jackson has made no formidable
enemies among King Charles subjects, and
Woodcock has, and it is safe to predict that
i MS rule I, over the dissIpated King Of Wurtem-
burg will outlast that of all the others yet.
Hendry, the third of the American trio at
Stuff, is not a native of the United States
He was born at Gagetown, in Queens County.
Province of New Brunswick, Canada, where
his father is now living. Hendry is rosy
checked, bright looking young man of about
49, He left Gagetown when about 20 and
went to St.John, where he became clerk ia
the book store of j. A. Mcmillan, the second
largest book house in Canada. Hendry left
the McMillans' employ to become a medical
student in the Office of DIR. Morrison, who was
then located in Union street, in st. John.
The Congregational church in which Baron
Savage WoodcOck, then known by plain title
OF Rev. DIR. WOodcock, preached was in the
same street. Woodcock lived in the same
house in which DR.. Morrison had his offices.
This Is where the intimacy between Woed-
cock and Hendry sprang up, and when Parson
Woodcock started on tour round the world
with Rev. DR.. Hepworth of the New York
Herald he took young Hendry with him.