Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-03-15
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH,
History Of the Emperor's Long and Eyentful
Career Summed M His Successor.

Career Summed M His Successor.
Emperor Frederick Ludwig Wilhelm
vas born March %, 1897, and was the
second son of Frederick Wilhelm III,
king of Prussia. He was educated FOR the
army, and 1T the ageo of II took part in
the war which terminated in the defeat of
Napoleon at Waterloo. He continued a
military career, and when his brother
assembled the throne in 1910, he was APP
pointed viceroy of Pomerania. The rev
dictionary spirit of 184S made him so
unpopular that for a time he sought
refuge in England, ostensibly upon a
special mission. Returning in 1849 he
took command of the Prussian army to
check instructions in Baden and Bavaria
and made himself military gov
ornor of the Rhine provinces. In Oc-
tober, 1857, he was appointed re-
gent of the kingdom of Prussia,
and continued TO administer its affairs
until January, 1861, when he assembled
the throne. When he was crowned, he
put the crown on his own head, declaring
that he held il from God alone. and had
apparently asted upon that idea ever
since, directing his energies to the ag-
Of Prussia in the mainten
anco Of a strong military government
This development of authority and pre-
rogative was attended by a contest with
the popular elements IN the chamber of
deputies To strengthen the national
clement he decreed the substitution of
the German language instead of French
in PrussiaH diplomatic dispatches and in
1862 Dissolved the chamber on account of
their resistance to the military expendi-
lures of the government. In the emer-
pency he called to his aid
the great abettor OF this policy, his
friend and advisers of Bismarck, sum
moning him from Paris, where,
having been recently appointed, he was
acting as Prussian ambassador, to as.
sumo the premiership and ministry Of
foreign affairs. From that day forth they
worked to establish the royal authority at
home and strengthen the government
abroad Various disputes with Austria
finally eliminated in declaration of var,
June Is, 1866, and some severe fighting,
which ended in Austrian defeat at Sadowa,
July 8, au event which made Prussia the
leading power of Germany, and gave it
hold on the smaller kingdoms and prin-
Qualities which have since been absorbed.
Negotiations ard treaties gradually
Strengthened Prussia until Jolly Is, 1870,
when France declared war against her,
aud practically cemsnted the North Ger
man confederation Ia bands of steel
| The history of that war is still fresh
| in the minds of the people. Ii was
a succession of German victories, and in
cluded the capture of the French emperor
| first and his country aud capital after
wards, the latter making stubborn resist
auce, and surrendering Jan. 2S, 1871,
after a sieg of 13l days. The terms OF
/ the treaty of peace imposed upon France
| the loss Of fifth part of Lorraine, in
Guiding Metz and Thionville, end Alsace,
less Belfort, as well as the payment of a
war indemnity of five Dllliards of francs
or about one billion dollars in specie
which enormous sum was to be paid by
successive installmeuts extending over q
period of three years, or up TO the month
of May, 1874.
Meantime the North German parliament
inserted the word emperor" in the con.
stitution, and By that title the victorious
Wilhelm was greeted on his triumphal re-
turn to Berlin.
Since that ime the emperor's life has
/ been devoid of startling scenes, except
GU Saturday, May II, 1878, when Emil
Hoshel, a tiusmith, aged u years, tried
10 gssesssirate him at Baden, and free
five shots before he was disarmed; and
Itare- weeks afterwards, when a yolley OF
buckshot struck him frsm house pear
the scene OF the first assault. When th'
police rushed into the room they fouuc
DR.. Charles EGouard NObhng with tvs
bullets IN his mead, aud apparently sink
iny. He lived for four months. and ther
died in a hospital. Hoebel was tried
convicted and executed Aug. Is, ISIS
Both men were socialists of the most ex
treme stripe.
The condition Of the wounded empero
was precarious for several weeks anl
the reins Of government were entrusted
to the crown prince, with the hope 0
removing the emperor from danger o
farther attempts on his life.
Emperor Wilhelm, although perfec
picture of q soldier and monarch, anC
as perfect picture OF kingly old age a
the mind coaid conceive, was as eager 70
amusement as a boy, and his old phys
ician has frequently declared that tn
most trying duty of his life has been q
persuade his disting uished patient tina
no was over SO years old.
He was married in 1929 70 Aarl