Evening journal., 1889-08-07
GRAND DUKE ALEXIS.
HIS DISGRACE AND TIE EXILE OF
THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTESS.

jackson a. Sharp's ana Relative Iells
the story OF the Scandal.
The Grand Duke Alexis has been
stripped Of his high admiralty and is now
In Vladivostock, the eastern seaport of
Siberia, where he will have to remain
until his brother, the Gar of Russia,
sees fit to recall him from exile The
Duke Eugene Of Leuchtenburg has also
been banished from the Russian Court
and has gone for two years cruise on
the imperial corvette Rhynda, and
his wife. the Countess Zenaide
de Beauharnais, has leave" to
reside abroad for a time indefinite
This sudden banishment of the Duke
Alexis and dissolution of the Leuchten-
burg family has caused great excitement
throughout the political circles Of the
world A woman again is the cause of
the disturbance the Countess de Beau
harnais, sister Of General Skobeleff who
died in a mysterious manner at Moscow
few years ago, is the primary cause of
the trouble. The Countess de Beauhar-
nais is very beautiful and possesses an
irresistible fascination Of manner.
At one of the first court balls at which
she was present she succeeded in capti-
waiting the affections Of the Duke Eugene
Of Leuchtenburg a cousin of the Grand
Duke Alexis. They were married in
October 1878, Mile. Skobelef receiving
the title OF Countess de Beauharnais in
honor of the occasion.
II will be remembered that Duke Alexis
made tour of the United States in
1880 and on his return TO Russia he be-
came acquainted with his new cousin.
Friendship increased TO infatuation
and from that time forward
the Duke has scarcely left the side of his
new cousin. The Dukes intimacy with
his cousins wife gave the gossips plenty
Of focd and the reports which came
10 the ears of the Gar caused him great
annoyance, but so long as the Duke of
Leuchtenberg, husband of Countess de
Beauharnais, made no complaint it was
exceedingly difficult for the Gar to in
terfere.
The death of General Skobeleff at Mos
COW was great blow to the Countess
for it was her intention to use the gen
erals fame for her own promotion. 1t
wus doubtless her intention to become not
only the mistress, but wife of the Grand
Dnke Alexis, when the indulgence and
good nature of her own unsuspecting
husband should become exhausted. Her
great ambition was TO become Grand
Duchess Alexis of Russia, and to live in
the history of her country as one of the
most remarks BILE princesses of the lmpe
rial House.
This state of affairs might have gone
on for some time longer but for an occur
renee which took place in one OF the lead
ing restaurants in st. Petersburg. The
Grand Duke Alexis was enjoying supper
with the Countess Zenaide in one of the
cabinets particuliers after the theatre
While there they were brought in con
tact with a party Of French actors aud
two actresses They all sat down at the
sane table and began the consumption
Of wine. Spirits ran high until one of
the French actors in loyalty toward
the reigning family of Russia threw
himself at the feet Of Countess Zenaide
end attempted TO kiss her delicate foot
Tho Duke of Alexis infuriated by the
win gave the actor one furious kick
which sent him sprawling to the other
side Of the room. A rough and tumble
fight then ensued in which even Countess
zenaide was engaged, she trying to assist
the Duke Alexis The fight
waxed so furious that the police
were called in to quell the
disturbance. The actors were forced to
leave st. Petersburg and all Russian ter
ritory next day. The disgraceful affair
was reported TO the Gear, who was so in
censed that he at once banished Grand
Dulre Alexis, the Duke Of Leuchtenberg
and his wife Countess de Beauharnais.
We haze in this city a relative of this
notorious family, by name Eugene Beau
harnais, who is at present living at No.
6l9 Lombard street and working for the
jackson and Sharp Company, car and ship
builders.
His father was a school mate of Count
Hamel, cousin Of Duke Alexis. they at
tended the Institution Courmand at Fon.
tenoy Auxroses, during the years 1892
33 and "a His fathers name was
Valentine Eugene Beauharnais. son Of
Prince Eugene Beauharnais son of jose
phine, Empress of France Mr.. Beau
harnais first came to this country in 1856,
and in 1859 married Sarah A. Kissack Of
New York City. They then went to live
in California, and In 1860 was born a son,
Eugene Beauharnais, who lives in this
city.
Eugene Beauharnais, Sr., was the
youngest son and also the youngest child
Of the seven children of Prince Eugene
Beauharnais. All Of his brothers and his
sisters have married into the different
courts of Europe, one sister being the
mother Of the Duke of Leuchtenberg
who is now in exile. Another sister
married into the Austrian court. A
brother Of Eugene Beauharnais, Sr, died
in Austria few years ago and
bequeathed to the public library OF
Vienna very valuable library
Of books which has immortalized
his name. From California Eugene
Beauharnais with his wife and young son
went to live in Mazatlan, Mexico The
father was away on a visit to Culiacan
when his young son, Eugene Beauhar.
nais, Jr., was taken very i'll at Mazatlan.
He attempted to return TO Mazatlan but
found the roads blockaded by the French
under Macmillan. He endeavored to
reach his home by another route, but
was delayed in the mountains, took 9
severe cold which resulted in infiamma
tion Of the brain from which he died In
1850.
The bereaved mother with her young
son returned to San Francisco, Califor
mia. and wrote to Napoleon Ill, Emperor
OF France. concerning her husband.
death. Napoleon Ill sent reply to sent
young Eugene to Paris and he would
have him educated at the Polytechnic
The mother, who was a proud woman
and herself an American refused
to do this, and kept her son II
San Francisco. Eugene Beanharnais, Jr.
when he became Of age went TO Pari
himself and has been there twice sine
for the purpose OF proving his identit,
I 1. 4. =.