The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-08
WANTED 70 FIGHT A DUEL
KaSier Wilhelm Challenged by a
Haturalized American.
he WAS ARRESTED In BERLIN
And Released at the Rfaues, or rrcsi-
dent CIeyeiand-He became po-sesscd
of a state Secret which Led To His
Ruiu-his Mind Now ULbalanccd.
he WAS ARRESTED IN BERLIN
sp.rlal TO the New..

PARIS, Dec. S.-Richnrd GonriIolar. the
American citizen who arrived At Mas'cn-
| werdcr IN July 1Syf, and was arrested on
the charge OF lesc iDajAsto for having sent
a challenge to Emperor william, is among
the passengers who left Bremen on De-
cember 8 10y the Havcl for New York. llc
was released at the request OF President
Cleveland.
His Lies Story.
In June, 1891. Professor Richard Goer-
deler was professor OF music at the Pen
DiDgton seminary, in New Jersey. The
story OF his life is qnitr romance, and 1T
is more than probable that his troubles
unhinged his mind.
Long before the time he sont a chal-
lenge TO Kaiser Williani--as far bark. in
fact, us 1Sti2--Goerdeler was lieutenant
in the Prussian army and at times WAS
brought into contact with Bismarck. Tho
American civil wsr was in fni blast just
then, and one day he learned that Bis
marck had ordered a cargo OF arms to be
shipped to the Southern copfcderacy.
When Bismarck became aware TINT this
secret was in possession of the lieutenant,
he at once laid bis plans to accomplish the
destruction of the young man.
How lie Was Prosecuted by bismarck.
The first step was to get Gocrdeler out
OF the army. This was easily accom-
plished. Then Bismarck set about ruin
ing him socially and financially. Gocr-
delcr was engaged to a handsome young
woman, and after trumpipg up charge
of forgery against her she was in
duced or coerced into marrying
another man. Goerdclcr had some
property, but in one way or another he
was wheedled out OF it and he was Obliged
to give up lucrative position in Berlin
that OF representative OF. the Northern
Pacific railroad.
Then GoerdeIer came TO the United
States and soon afterwards obtained EN-
ployment in the insurance department at
Albany. He then set his brain to work at
devising a scheme for the ruin OF his
enemy, the then aIl-powerful Prince Bis
marck, chancellor of the German Empire.
Caused Bismarck's Fall From Power.
He began by writing letter to the en-
peror, and although he received no reply
from the kaiser il was not long afterward
that the chancellor lost his place and was
sent into retirement. and Herr Goerdeler
is convinced that his enemy's fall from
power was the direct result of his appeal
to William III.
| But this revenge did not entirely satisfy
him. He pondered over his wrongs and
finally came TO the conclusion that the
world was not big enough To hold both
himself and the ex-chancellor. Having
lost his position at Albany, he in the
meantime had secured that OF professor
of music at the Pennington seminary.
From there he sent a long and imperative
letter to Kaiser William, in which he in
formed his majesty that Bismarck must
be hung, and that if he was not, he. the
kaiser, would have to fight duel with
pistols at eig hteen PAGES.
Went to Fight the Kaiser
Receiving no reply from the Kaiser,
Goerdeler sailed for Europe, and in July.
1891, he arrived in Berlin. There he was
for while closely watched by detectives.
and finally was incarcerated in an insane
asylum, for which according to tho Com
mercial Cable despatch just received, be
has been recently released.
In Albany, where Mr.. Goerdelcr is well
known, he is regarded as n crank OF the
first class. He went to the state capital
from New York, and it was, according 10
all accounts, in Albany that his insanit Y
began to develop. He was pursued by the
idea hat he was singled out as n special
object of vengeance, and frequently wrote
abusive letters about those whom lac
thought were conspiring against him. in :
Guiding members of his own family as
we'll al utter strangers. This mania led
TO his dismissal from the Insurance de-
partmant.