The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-18
HE Is A KINGS FRIEND,
AN OHIO FARMER WHOSE BAD LUCK
LED HIM INTO CLOVER.

The King of yurtemberg Has an Ameri-
can for His Confidential Adviser-Hon-
ors Heaped Upon the Head of a Fort
unate Lad-Jackson Is his Name.
Probably very few Americans are aware
that the kingdom of Wurtemberg, belong
. ing to the great empire of Germany, is
ruled, indirectly of course, by an Ameri-
can, or more properly speaking,.by an ex-
American. This, as all other royal secrets,
is very we'll known to the people, but, not
wishing to form a two years intimate ac-
quaintance with the 'Zuchthaus," they
wisely keep their mouths closed. But it is
nevertheless fact. Richard VI. Jackson,
who holds what some may consider posi-
ton, was born in Steubenvi;le, o. His
father, who is farmer at that place, was
cousin of the famous Stonewall Jackson.
Like nearly all farmers sons, he toiled on
the old farm and attended the village
schools, and afterward entered one of the
Ohio colleges, but being Of a decidedly
musical taste, and having exceptional tai
ent, he decided to make music his profes-
sion, and toward that end he left the col
lege he was attending before graduating,
and went to the city of Stuttgart, capital
of Wurtemberg, which is celebrated the
world over for its conservatory.
HARD LUCK AT FIRST.
Here he devoted himself diligently to his
music and to acquiring the German Ian
guage with great success, when an acci-
dent occurred that for a while seemed 10
blot the entire future of this ambitious
American. The muscles of his hand from
constant practice became paralyzed, max
ing it utterly impossible for him TO con-
tinue his musical studies. Friendless, al
most penniless, in strange country,
forced TO renounce that which he had been
! striving so hard to gain, his position was
/ anything but happy one.
While in this embarrassing predicament
good angel, in the person Of Mr.. p. S.
Potter, of Boston, appeared. Mr.. Potter
was appointed United States consul at
| Stuttgart by President Grant in July,
1875, and upon reaching his post and tax
| ing charge looked around for a competent
clerk, and becoming acquainted with Mr..
Jackson offered him the position, which
was, as can be imagined, gladly accepted
Nor did it prove an unwise selection. Mr.
Jackson devoted himself to his new duties
as industriously and energetically as he
had done to his music. After being in the
Office for about a year Mr.. Potter ap-
pointed Jackson United States vice consul,
and he was confirmed by the secretary of
state.
AS vice consul Mr.. Jackson did his duties
ably and patriotically and out of Office
hours, music being denied him, used to
take long walks in the many beautiful
parks of which Stuttgart has large num-
ber. During these walks Mr.. Jackson often
met the king, sometimes on foot, some
times riding, and upon these occasions
would politely raise his hat to the king and
bow, who would as politely return the bow.
TAKEN UP By THE KING.
The king seemed to be attracted by the
Americans manner and politeness and
made inquiries as to who he was and then
requested personal interview. In answer
TO this invitation Mr.. jackson visited the
king at his palace, and made such an i'm
preston upon his majesty that he was
asked to resign his commission as vice con-
sui of the United States and become one of
the royal court. Jackson, with American
shrewdnesS, wished to make a good bar
gain secure, and toward that end had sum
dry important and carefully worded docu-
ments drawn up and signed by each. He
thereupon resigned his position as vice
consul, renounced his American citizen
ship and swore allegiance to the king of
Wurtemberg and the emperor of Germany.
He returned to his modest boarding
house to pack his few effects and be called
for by the royal coach, with footmen gor-
geous in shining livery. Upon his appear
ance they bowed and kept on bowling until
he was comfortably seated and then the
coach whirled away to the Kenigliches
Schloss, where a suit of five apartments,
luxuriously furnished, awaited him, and a
host of fOotmen stood ready for his call.
This sounds more like an ARABIAN
Nights" tale than the truthful account Of
an occurrence in civilized country like
Germany.
A large annual stipend was settled upon
Mr.. jackson for life, and, as there was no
court vacancy, one was created, namely,
Reader to his majesty" TO meet the
emergency. Only two other crowned heads
have court readers, the emperor of Germany
and Queen Victoria, and therefore by one
being created in Wurtemberg the honor
for Mr.. Jackson was considered excep-
tional. 1t was not long before other hon.
ors began to come. The king of Holland
presented him with the knights Cross of !
the Golden Lion of Nassau" the order of
the house of Luxembourg. The king of |
Saxony, then visiting Stuttgart, was so |
highly pleased with the ex-American that |
he bestowed on him the knights Cross of |
the Albert Order"
JACKSON'S INFLUENCE.
The Emperor Joseph of Austria invested |
him with the very ancient "Order of the |
Iron Crown of Austria" one of the high |
est gifts that the Austrian monarch can /
bestOw. The king of Wurtemberg, about |
month after Mr.. Jackson's appearance in |
court, conferred on him the title Of see 1
heimer Holrath," and made him his privy |
counselor, and a few weeks later gave /
him the knights Cross of the Crown of |
Wurtemburg," besides making him a /
baron.
This was in 1881. Since then titles, hon. 4
ors and presents innumerable have been /
received by Mr.. Jackson, or rather Baron /
Won Jackson. In the royal stables are
magnificent Arabian steeds at his disposal;
everything that heart could wish or mind 4
suggest is his for the asking. 1t is not
strange, then, that the king, with his pc
culiar infatuation for Mr.. Jackson, should /
be completely swayed by his influence and
Is In all matters almost completely guided
by him. They are constant COMPANIONS.
and although he is bitterly hated by all
those noble born aristocrats over whose
heads he has iumped they ynust hide THAR