The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-27
HAD TO FIGHT A DUEL.
Why Lieut.. Won Hummer Went Back
TO Germany.


Lieut.. Wilhelm Won Hummer. attache
Of the German embassy, who left here
about three months ago, with leave Of alb
sence extending until June 10, is not like
ly TO return on schedule time, and through
no fault of his own.
A well authenticated report has reached
here that Lieut.. Won Hummer is confined
in German fortress for period Of three
months for having participated in duel,
which pleasant German pastime. incul-
Gated with the sciences of the great uni
versties, so frequently deprived the army
Of some of its best officers that the pres
ent progressive Kaiser Wilhelm III issued
an edict against early In his reign. II
takes more than edicts, however, to over
throw the time-honored customs Of a ma
ton. Any German officer who would
shelter himself behind the emperor's edict
when challenged to fight duel would be
considered even a greater coward. were
that possible, than IL no edict existed.
Lieut.. Won Hummer is a young man Of
noble birth, wealthy, proud and brave.
Honor. as it is understood in the German
army, is dearer to him than life Itself.
He has already made some reputation
for himself i'm bravery and daring. In
the famous ride from Berlin TO Vienna,
year ago, a test for speed in horses and
endurance in riders, in which many Of
ficers participated. Lieut.. Won Hummer
came in eighth in the race, which was
not so bad since the difference in time
was very small.
According to the stories of friends who
have been honored with the confidence
Of the lieutenant, before coming to this
country he had a quarrel with the colo
mel of his regiment. Before a duel could
be arranged, and supposedly to prevent
such a meeting Lieut.. Won Kun
mer was detached from his regiment and
given a post with the American en-
bassy He came to Washington lest Oc-
oh nd fax- seemed
be enjoying himself thoroughly here.
In the meantime the matter Of the quar-
rel had not been permitted 10 lapse into
innocuous desuetude. Such affairs never
are Friends of both parties are ever on
the lookout to see that honor is main
tanned all around. A board or court Of
inquiry was formed, not official, but
strictly personal, and the judgment Of that
court was that Lieut.. Won Hummer and
his colonel must settle their differences
on the field OF honor. Lieut. Won Kun
mer did not delay. Although ne mad been
here only so short a time, he applied for
and obtained a leave Of absence and re-
turned TO Germany. About month later
Lieut.. Hesse, military and naval attache,
also obtained leave Of absence and fol-
lowed his friend 1t is not known
whether or not Lieut.. Heese was con-
nected with the plan for a duel.
Word now comes back to Washington
that the duel was fought with pistols, and
that Lieut.. Won Hummer shot his sU-
perior officer in the leg. The lieutenant
was promptly arrested, not for shooting
his superior officer, but for taking part In
a duel, in violation of the imperial edict.
He was tried and the verdict Of the court
was that he be imprisoned within
fortress for three months.
Friends of Lieut.. Hummer in this city
must not feel too sad in thinking Of him
undergoing his punishment. While he
may not go outside the Notifications. he
may enjoy himself as much as possible
with his brother officers inside, and there
are many ways In which such a sequest-
cred life may he made very pleasant. II
is probable that he will return to Wash
ington at the expiration of his enforced
extended vacation. His romantic adven-
tuTe win serve to make him quite the
lion of the hour among the ladies of this
city.
At the German embassy last evening
Baron Won Saurma-Jeltsch, the ambassa-
dor. through his secretary. stated that
nothing had been received at the embassy
regarding such a duel having been
fought, and that no intimation had been
received that Lieut.. Won Hummer would
not return on June 10, when his original
leave of absence expires. The lieuten-
ants personal effects are all at the en-
bassy, and it is believed if he did not in
tend to return he would have ordered
them reshipped to Germany before this.
1t was admitted that such a duel might
have been fought and Lieut.. Won Kun
mer punished without the embassy being
notified If he did not return by June
Is the embassy would surely be Informed
Of the reason before that time; and if
ordered back to his regiment or else
where, another officer would be sent to
take his place.-Washington Post.