Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-25
A GENUINE ROMANCE.
All the Essential Features
Present.
Chicago the Scene Of the Con-
cluding Chapter.
Baron Kalnoky Loved Not Wisely
But Too Well.
A Real Duel B etween an Austrian Noble
man and a Bot-Blooded
Southerner.
Associated Press Dispatches.

CHICAGO, May 24.-Chicago was today
the scene OF denouement in a
genuine romance with all the es-
sentiaI features-wealthy nobleman,
disinherited son, beautiful woman,
duel and mystery. Baron Rudolph
Kalnoky de Koraspatak, a nephew of
Count Kalnoky, of Vienna, made his
first visit to Chicago aboue month ago,
registering at the Richelieu merely as
as Rudolph Kalnoky, of New York. He
was handsome and distinguished and
appeared to be the possessor of unlim-
tied means. The object OF his stay in
Chicago was mystery to all except the
manager of the Richelieu, Mr.. Carlson,
to whom be partially told his story.
Kalnoky according to his own con-
fession, was at one time a staunch de-
fendant and admirer of Queen Natalie.
He had also been the chosen companion
in the revels of the gay young crown
prince, whose suicide shocked all Eu-
rope. Seeking change in America, he
accidentally met Miss Mittie Atherton,
a member of the Duff company, during
its last Chicago engagement. She led
the baron doleful life, both here and
in other cities. She constantly kept be-
fore him that she could never become
his wife, as her heart was already given
to one for whose sake she would shortly
quit the stage.
Kalnoky finally became convinced of
the truth of this and remained in Chi
cago when the company left. Weaken
ing, however, he went to Louisville in
one last effort to conquer the pretty
actress. While there he seems to have
met one OF his numerous rivals, though
not the successful one. Last Friday he
up the idea of following the actress.
The same night the man whom he met
in the south dined with him. A too free
indulgence in wine quickly ended the
friendly character Of the meeting. A cry
of rage was heard and heavy fall. Kali
noky had knocked his companion down
for speaking disrespectfully of the wo-
man he loved
An hour aftarward friend OF the
ssoutherner appeared with q respectful
note demanding IL uaeeting. Kalnoky
accepted. The affair was carried out
with regard to every nice distinc-
ton of the code. Saturday night the
baron was informed that al the details
had been arranged, and that the meet
ing would take place at jackson park at
daybreak Sunday. Rapiers were the
weapons selected.
At A O'Clock this morning Kalnoky
entered carriage and was immediately
Joined by his second, stopping on the
way to take in physician. AT Jackson
park they found the opposite party.
Shortly after O'Clock the men faced
AL nd a mr.
word was given, and like flash the
soutberner commenced the attack. After
some sharp fighting, the southerner in
fiicted slight wound in the right leg OF
the baron. A little later the baron, by
a clever lunge, pricked the. skin on the
right shoulder of his adversary. The
latter, however, parted admirably, and
at this moment, to the horror OF the
seconds, the baron appeared to slip and
literally fall ON the point of his, adver-
sary's sword. which entered his neck.
A stream of blood gushed from the
wound. The seconds immediately
stopped the combat, and the baron's
wound was hastily dressed.
After ascertaining that the result
would not necessarily be fatal, the
southerner and friend left the field.
Every effort to identity this man has
failed. 1t is thought, however, that he
is son of prominent citizen of At
lanta, Ca, famous in the south as an
authority on the code duello, and whe,
though quite young, has taken an active
part in several affairs of honor.
Baron Kalnoky's exact whereabouts
are kept secret. From conversations
with Manager Carlson, he fears the
baron's misplay was not a mere acci-
dent, but that, finding himself facing
one not his equal in workmanship, he
took that means of honorably ending his
life. Ii this was the case, Carlson fears
Kalnoky may follow the failure by a
suicidal attempt upon his own life.