The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-11
ECCENTRIC BARON FIRCKs.
How he Amused the Gear and Used a
Pet Lion in a Duel.


Nothing amused the Car of Russia
more in his recent so3ourn with his family
and relatives at the Castle of Fredens-
borg, in Denmark, than circus exhibit
ton given by one of his titled subjects in
Copenhagen. The director and owner of
the circus is Baron de Fircks, the scion
of one of the wealthiest families of the
Baltic provinces and now. one of the most
eccentric and original characters of the
Danish capital. While on a visit to Hun
gary a few years ago, he fell in love and
married beautiful Hungarian who per
formed nightly in one of the Buda-Pesth
circuses. His family Guarreled
with him on this account,
and he left his home for Den
mark. As he is exceedingly wealthy in
his own right, the rupture with his peo-
pie made comparatively little difference
to him. He has lived in a handsome pal
ace in the Danish capital, and has graft
fed his peculiar tastes in his own fash
ion When the baron takes promenade
he is accompanied by a SOudanese negro
Of herculean frame wolf, two monkeys
and a trained lion, which obeys his every
word and gesture. lie has been arrested
almost every time he took his promenade
and has become one of the largest sources
of income to the police department-as he
always pays his fines. Steps were taken
not long ago to eXpel him from the city,
but the interference of King Christian
prevented their execution.
The baron is also the hero of number
of peculiar duels which have added TO his
strange reputation. Not long ago he OBJ
jected to the attentions of young Danish
officer to his wife, insulted him and ac-
cepted a challenge to fight with swords
At the appointed hour the lieutenant and
| his seconds were on the field of honor
prepared to administer punishment to the
baron. What was their surprise, how
ever, to meet instead of the Russian his
huge negro bodyguard, who calmly an
I )unccd that his master was not feeling
well that morning and had sent the negro
to represent him. The Soudanese, with
out waiting for replies, declared
that he was opposed to hand
ling swords and intended to box
with the lieutenant in the English fash
ion. Without further ado he approached
his adversary and struck him a terrific
blow. The affair naturally ended in the
police courts. The negro was condemned
to pay fine and remain several days in
prison. The baron paid the money an
nOunced that his honor had been satisfied
and declared the incident closed. A
young society man of Copenhagen. who
had been admitted to his house, also dis
pleased the baron by paying court to his
wife AS the request to cease his atten-
tons had no effect the baron invited him
to dinner one day, fed him well and then
asked the young man to follow him to his
private room. When once there De FIrcks
announced that he had decided to punish
him Tor his conduct in a bazarre fashion
He then left the room. The young mau at
tempted to follow him, but was met
at the door by the trained lion, which
grinned savagely at the poor fellow He
lied to the corner of a room and remained
as quiet as possible. But every time he
made the least noise the huge lord Of the
desert would raise his head and growl
For six long hours the baron kept his
prisoner in terror. lie then released him
saying that he supposed the punishment
had been sufficient, and he would not
care to have second tete-a-tete with the
beast. He was never troubled by the
young man agaiu.
The baron finally decided to utilize his
influence in practical way and opened a
circus. 1t was the opening performance
which the imperial family was asked to
attend.