The morning call., 1894-01-20
LEFT ALL BEHIND.
Carl kahler's Latest Act
of ECCentricity.
The ErratiC Artist Deserts His Studio
and Its Valuable Contents, Which
Will Be Sold.

The last has probably been seen of Carl
KahleT, the erratc thought gifted artist In this
city.
II was he who set the artistic world attacking
when the Columbian Exposition season was at
It's height. One morning his masterpiece in the
German art section was found slashed In two
The canvas bore evidence Of having been cut
with keen-adged knife and naturally sensa-
ton WAS produced among the exposition
officials. Artists and others asked what mis-
creant ruined the painting. To the surprise of
all, Carl kahler cleared up the mystery.
Il cut the PICTURE" he said in a toue indicat-
Ing disappointment Ii did not please me.''
Kahler's talent was admitted here, and as
well as being an artist dyed-in-tne-wool bo-
hemian and good fellow generally, he possessed
happy faculty Of getting large sums of money
from admirers, but then the money went
through his fingers like water through a sieve.
He fitted up a studio on Market street opDo-
site the Palace HoIeI, and there painted with
real industry. The apartment was a curiosity
shop full OF rare vessels decorative draperies
rich Turkish rugs, divans brio brac, furni-
lure and pictures. AS rule the brilliant rugs
were srrewn " it'll empty champagne bottles
the rare vesS els were full OF cigar ashes and
ends OF cigarettes lay upon little tables and
curOs. " hen visitor called The artist would
excuse himself for Il minute or TWO, leave his
caller outside and retire 10 clean up the pic
tureSQue dSOnder OF .hlngS.
hdnleFS pictures were pleQ around every
where and a few large ones formed a screen in
front of his trunks, collection OF bric-a- brac
and all sorts OF clothes, w hich were invariably
hung on the floor.
The day Which X hler went TO Chicago
with his exhibition painting he left his studio
IN its normal condition. He carried a vase,
put the studio key IN his pocket ana left town.
His best patron was still alive, and kahler mad
several pictures of her favOrte cats which he
1et were as good as goId-in time. The i'm
mense canvas Win 100 cats was already sold
for good round sum. Ii had been taken from
the studio, but mere Sill remained piles of
clothing, walking canes, pictures, III fact every
thing but the rug-. kahler ala not come back
or pay the rent. SO matters stood until years
Jent was due, winch happened week ago.
Then the agent bfOkr open the door and tooA
possession. The artists belongings were gath
cred and locked up as security for the rent,
which they will more than pay. Letters have
been mailed repeatedly 10 kaher, but have
ELECTED no satisfactory reply. The last heard
of him he was IN Europe. about as far of as he
could get from his wardrobe, pictures and
aartistic collection of different articles
The final letter notifying kahler that his
property would be sold if not redeemed has
been sent. II Is more than likely that the
painting g ano articles will soon be disposed of
at auction or to art-dealeTs.
w. A. Coulter and H Il. Bloomer are now
settled In kanler's old studio in which his
rich wall decorations and pretty bits of furni-
fure still remain. they find use for his ex-
fpensiVe gold frames and his easels. But there
are no champagne bottles in the corners as
of old.