The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-02

much, and 40 gentleman and man Of the
world. Twenty-Five years ago Mrs. Sche-
witsch's great beauty was regarded a. the
indirect cause Of the death Of man whom
millions Of toilers called their emancipation.
As she appears today, those Who know her
her, though her brilliant beauty has been
succeeded by the good looks of contented
matron and an interesting woman.
Ffaulein Helene Won Donniges, the
daughter of a Bavarian official of high
rank, first met Ferdinand Lassalle at the
house Of Berlin lawyer in 1862. Lassalle's
fame az social reformer was then at it's
zenith. No name was 20 frequently on the
lips Of the toiling masses as his, and its
mention was usually coupled with the
blessing of the speaker. Helene's fame,
though of another kind, was not confined
to the wallis of her fathers house in
Munich. A favorite with the royal ladies
which learning had helped to beautify,
Helene Won DonniGes at the age of IS had
the honor of being the most beautiful and
sthe most brilliant young woman in Bavaria.
In her person she was tall and stately and
had perfect figure. Her clear blue eyes,
her admirers by the score. She had been
educated in Italy and had travelled much.
She had heard Of Lassalle and had pictured
him as clever little Jew, probably under
sized and undoubtedly very ugly.
When she met him she saw tall man
It was love at first sight on her part. Las
sale, at first captivated by her beauty, grew
sensible of the charms of her conversation
and manner, and from that meeting dated
courtship which lasted nearly two years
and ended tragically. Helene's parents
were greatly anRered and refused to sane
ton an engagement because Lassalle was
jew and they were Catholics. To avert tho
possibility Of their wishes being ignored
they urged Helene to marry Baron de Raoo-
iwitza, Roumsnian, who had been brought
yup from childhood with their daughter.
Helene refused and continued to correspond
with Lassalle.
One day she ran away from homo, taking
with her trusty servant, and journeyed to
little town in Switzerland, where Las
sale was living. She told her astonished
lover that he could never hope to marry her
With her parents consent. Their religious
would not sanction their union. But she
was there, and they loved each other pas
sionately-what would he do? Lassalle re-
piled with great coolness: my dear child,
want your parents to deliver you to me in
marriage, and do not want to elope. You
had better 60 home at once" He mounted
It may be imagined what effect such
words would have on young girls ardor.
Helene's parents had learned where che
had been. and when she reached homo she
was put under look and key. In her me-
moirs she said afterward that during this
time her father beat her. Her letters to
Lassalle were intercepted, ana each soon
believed that the other had ceased to love.
Laesalle in the meantime had written sew
eral letters to Herr Won Donniges, asking
for an interview with his daughter, but his
requests were refused. Two Of his friends
ovpN Inl S~~
Helene. but her father had exacted prom
Use that she would give up her lover, and
when Lasalle's friends asked her, ''Do you
or do You not love our friendT' she replied
in faint voice. ''No."
Ferdinand Lassalle challenged Herr Won
Donniges to duel, but the latter being old
and infrm, the Baron de Racowitza &C.
cepted it in his stead. Lassalle was NOR
tally wounded and died soon afterward.
Helene married Racowitza and lived with
him in Southern France. She did not
learn of the duel and its result until long
after. Her life for the next few years was
not happy. Her husband died of con-
sumption and was buried in Nice, two
returned to Munich, where she lived in Sc
clusion in her fathers house for several
years. In her writings and letters she has
always since signed herself Helene Won
Racowitza.
After the effect of these incidents had
worn off somewhat, her old spirit began to
reassert itself, and she went on the stage.
sr iss engagement sa was with Herr Laabs
Her career on the stage. though successful
financially, was not brilliant. After play
|lng Tor several years, she married Herr
|friedmann. the famous actor. She trav-
3eled through Germany, Austria and France
with her second husband. They found
nutvN
Fr1edmnnn was Jew, and when his wife
|npplled TO the Vienna courts for a divorce
they told her that she was not legally mar
Eled. However, q formal divorce was
finally obtained, and husband and wife
parted. still good friends. Lately Mrs.
former husband about book which she
Intends to publish in Germany. After her
divorce from Friedman she continued on
The stage, and while playing in st. Peters
burg she met MIR. Schewitsch.
Sergius E. Schewitsch comes of an old
Russian family. One of his ancestors was
general in the Russian army in Napo-
German university and took a great inter-
pst in the so-called Students' Liberal move
ment. Through the influence of his brother,
who was governor of Kurland. Russian
province. Schewitsch obtained a sinecure
70 secretary to the Russian senate. He
Aos0 tu1a Ou1C0 W0eu no met Helene Won
8ac0witza. The actress left st. Petersburg
ind went to Paris. Schewitsch resigned
pis Office and. gathering together az much
money a. he could, followed her. After a
Prief oourtship, they were married in Paris,
(nd shortly afterward came to this city.
accustomed a. both were to high living,
hey spent their money in grand style, and
hen found themselves almost penniless.
chewitsch tried his hand at great many
hlngs, but without success. He grew de-
pondent and was ON the point of accepting
JOB e conductor of horse car when he
nade the acquaintance of Alexander Jones,
10 editor Of the volks Zeitung, which had
INST been started. Through him Schewitsch
- made the editor Of tho Sunday edition,
hseh once he held until . few days AGO,
nsn he resigned in order to return TO
t!on that day dates his career ~ q 10
!ailst. II has beeu said that he = Rms
van exile, and that il would b. @ much a.
NE - worth to vsutare tack to Ruasia,
- stories are untxue. Nj. Echevitech
re 1sver haniahsd, and had II not ben
neeely matter OF . toss mp whether he -
~ ooodneeOF q IN editor of 4 oneiaiio.
= pspss, u = doubtful vhsthsr IS vcoA
aye sveg held bis late plaeo. rs doinGs
- oviAU y ~ eeaRis = ~ essiaIisi3e