Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-03-31
A ClNclNNATlAN WHO KNEW HIM AS A
HANDSOME BOY.
How "a Sch1olmaster Raised n Public Row
by EioggIng Him--"unser Fritz" tho
Idol of His Coantrymcn.

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Probably the only living American who
ever enjoyed the close acquaintance OF
the poor sufferer at San Reno. who, by
the recent death of Emperor William, of
United Germany, succeeds to the throne
of one of the most powerful nations on
the face OF the earth is now a resident OF
this city, is prominent Mason, and is
now engaged rs one of the mechanical
craftsmen of the Centennial Exposition.
About the year 1910, this gentleman,
Major Gwynn, a prominent mechanical
engineer, of Cincinnati, went with his
parents to Berlin. The elder Gwyna was
a representative of Philadelphia house
engaged in the railway supply business.
Railroading then being la its infancy, the
King of Prussia Frederick William w.,
| took great interest in all matters per-
| tanning To the introduction of the iron
horse, and often visited the work shops
of the Berlin 81 Frankfurter line, OF
which the Gwynn's had charge, "Unser
Fritz, y who now lies on his sick bed at
San Reno, dying with u malignant can
Ger, was then living ''unter den Linden, =
about a square away from the 'Schloss
| platz'' che king palace) and was about
| sixteen years Of age, tall, handsome,
digni6ed and with n gracious, pleasing
| manner that won all hearts. These rail-
readers from America often visited the
| palace ON business. and became on terms
| of friendship with not only the King OF
| Prussia, but his household and with
many of the nobility. "Unser Fritz
was a school boy at the time, and almost
every day would VISIT the wor, shops
| after his studies were over, and ply the
workmen with questions about America.
The younger Gwynn soon became his
favorite, and these two young men (the
Major being not over twenty three ut the
time) had many social chat together.
The Princes manner was so artless and
unaffected and he seemed to be so thor
oughly democratic, that he at once won
| the love and respect Of his foreign friend.
| These qualities endearcd him TO his own
1 countrymen-qualities so different from
other members of the reigning house
his father especially, who has just died,
being stiff and proud and unapproach-
able, and about this time an incident oc-
Cured which illustrated In n most strik-
ing manner the staunch loyalty of the
Germans for the handsome boy, who to-
day is the present Emperor OF United
Germany. Fritz was lively lad--not
vicious or mean In any sense of the word
but possessed of a spirit of mischief
that did not comport with the stern ideas
Of duty entertained by his tutor, mat
ter OF fact old pl ofessor who long since
had forgotten that he had ever been q
boy himself The youth had repeatedly
fractured some rule or rules of the acad-
envy; and finally the professor complained
TO his father, the late Emperor. KAISER,
Wilhelm, always proud and stern and
pompous, listened with evident displeas-
ure to the tales regarding his eldest son,
and said in reply that the boy must be
logged. His word was law, the young
pupil was whipped by his tutor, and all
at once a great commotion was raised.
The Prince was such general fayorite
with the people that they resented, as
personal insult, this indignity, and 1t was
with difficulty that a serious disturbance
was averted
1t was then the custom in Germany,
and is still, perhaps, for citizen, should
he meet the King on the street or high
way, to stop in his tracks and take of
his hat, as a mark Of respect ''Fritz'
asked his American friend what the Gus
tom was In America under similar cir
cumstances, and being informed, saidi
''Suppose your President should rudely
jostle or strike citizen, what would be the
RESULT" The reply was that if a man
occupying the exalted position Of Presi-
dent Of the United States should SO faE
forget his dignity as to strike or other
wise assault citizen, the one assaulted
would be justified in retaliating in kind.
"Ah, wen, " said Fritz, 81 suppose you get
along very comfortably in your way and
we get along just the same in ours.
Major Gwynn remained ia Berlin for
four years, and not week passed that he
did not receive a visit from "Unser
Fritz, " who since that time has became
the Crown Prince, served with galantry
inthe war with Austria, in the battles Of
Woerth, Sadowa, Metz, the seige OF Paris,
Gravellotte and dozen other ry-inor en-
gagements, and who finally although at
DEATHS door, has outllved his father, the
stern Emperor William, and to-day is en-
titled to wear the crown himself
The formal transfer of the new build
ings win be made an occasion Of great in
terest. The associate commissioners Of
the several states wiz DO invited TO par
ticipate.