The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-11

uiueF dLtl growing OUT d tne great COuFt
anonymous letter scandals had taken
place IN the woods near Potsdam. and that
Baron Won Schrader. master OF ceremonies
OF the Prussian court. had been shot by
Count Won kotze, formerly court chamber
lain, who was acquitted on charge OF be-
ing the author OF the anonymous commu-
nicattons. Count Won kotze and Baron Won
Schrader used pistols. The latter was se-
verely wounded IN the abdomen. He was
taken to hospital, where the wound was
pronounced of most serious nature. His
relatives were promptly gathered at the
bedside
Count Won Kotxe's arres; has been order
ed. His friends say he will surrender TO
the authorities whenever called upon 10 do
so. This Is the third duel of a series OF
abou, dozen for which challenges were
sent out last April by Count Won kotze.
He repeated today the announcement of
his determination to keep on fighting his
enemies. one by one, until he has settled
the account with all on his list
Count Won kotzs Yesterday practiced for
hours with a pisto, on the estate os HIS
hrother-in-law. Count Won Tresckow. at
Friedsrchsfelds, and finally succeeded in
hitting target the size and shape OF the
outlines OF man az every shot He left
Frieteriehsfeids last night. saying: Now
l have got him.
At his own quarters in Berlin, Count Won
Kotze today received the CONGRATULATIONS
OF his brothers and members of his family
He was also congratulated by scores os
friends
Baron Won Schraier's wound was ope-
rated upon during the day. and the ply
slcians in attendance came TO the conclu-
sion that there Is no chance OF his recov-
cry. Emperor William has been notified
OF the duel. II Is said Won kotze Will not
be arrested until his majesty has been
heard from.
The scandal which gave rise TO this se-
ries OF duels began nearly flve years ago.
when high court persorages. male and fe-
male. old and young. began receiving
anonymous letters or postal cards calling
their attention to this or that escapade
unon their own part or on the part OF
relatives or friends. Various wives be-
came separated from their husbands. ard
fathers and mothers discarded their chfi-
iren- Nearly everybody of Importance. be-
ing snirehed more or less BY the venom
Of the anonymous writer. who MAS svfYart-
~ person Thoroughly familiar with an
the details of court life. soon began 10
look aSkan,e AZ their best friends Every
sfort possible was made by the police 70
ind the guilty party. hut IN spite OF this
the anonymous tormentor was able TO con-
tinue the cruel work for about four years
The general opinion was that the vile conn
municaticns were the work OF a woman
but gradually this opinion changed arf
for some unexplained reason susnici,r
fastened itself upon Count Won Kotze. one
or the court chamberlains. popular man.
wen liked by the emperor and trusted by
All his friends. Finally volunteer spy
denounced him 10 the court authorities a,
the ground that on the hlottlng paper OF
letter pad used by the count the spv
had found clear reproduction OF one OF
I,
card. Thereupon Non' Kotze was arrest
ed and confined in the fortress Upon trial
he was acquitted on the charges brought
against him.
While Won Kotze was In prison the lido
or sympathy turned decidedly In his ~
rection. Cgiy whisperings were heard on
All sdes. MS arrest was openly denounced
rs an outrage, and the names OF A mum.
per OF very high court personaees inc,u5-
iHg Duke Ernest Gunther Of Schlesw,r-
Holste'n. the brother-in-Iaw OF Emperor
William OF Germany were men.
uoned; In fact, some persons even
had the audacity TO cast The sids
lights of suspicion upon hiyhep
persc- that Duke Gunther. although. u
would seen. without Just ground for so Do
ing When Count Won Kotze was released
from prison he promptly sent out chal-
lenges 10 dozen Of those whom ne be-
ieved TO have been implicated in a plot
TO ruin him IN order 70 save the reputa-
ton OF the high parsonage whoever he
may be. who IS looked upon as being the
rear author OF the anonymous communica-
lions. Among the principal persons rhnl-
ienged were Baron Won Peisch court
marshal TO ex-Empress Frederick OF Ger.
many; Baron Won Schrader master oS
ceremonies Of the Prussian court; Prince
von Fuerstenberg Prince Herber. oS
Saxe-Atenburg. and Prince Albert Of
Saxe-Altenburg. II was also said that
Won KOfze had challenged Duke Ernest
Of SchleswIg- -Holsteln. but this has been
denied, and II is not believed 70 be true.
The first OF the proposed series az fue,s
was fought with pistols in the Gruenwal4
early during the morning OF April f3 ;a-s
between Count yon Kotze and Baron Won
Reisch. The former had insisted upon se-
we're conditions. namely. that shots would
be exchanged until one OF the contestants
was 50 badly wounded as 70 be unable to
continue Seven shots were exchanged.
with the result that both the count and
The baron had more or less severe flesh
wounds. hut at the eighth shot Won
kotz~ fell with a bullet in the loin He
was taken TO a hospital ana for some time
his life was despaired OF. Even when the
attending physicians pronounced that he
would live. they coupled this statement
with the reservation that he would he
crippled for life. This f. practically tho
case. although the count walks with
greater ease than was expected. There
was some talk OF sending Count Won Kotze
and his opponent 10 prison for fighting
The duel. but there was such popular sym
pathy for Won k0fze that the emperor
overlooked the matter, on the counts re-
ported promise 10 give up his plan OF
fighting the rest OF the series of duels
However. In June last Won kotza met
Baron Won Schrader on the field Of honor
wounded him slightly and was also
wounded himself For this Won Kctze
was sentenced to three months imprison-
ment in the fortress 90 GluetZ. AMI On
July lg he gave himself up TO the gov
ernor Of that place ard served his SEN
terce. bu; he was treated with the great
est consideration. and II was again re-
ported on his release that he had prom
issi rot 10 fight another dnei.
BY this tirue Won KoiZe had become
quite a popular hero. and his enemies
felf very uncomfortable. !, is possible
that this would have been the last of the
series had Il not been for ar uniookea-for
event The counsel for Won Katze on his
trial was one OF the most famous lawyers
In Berlin. Or Fritz Friedman. and to the
latter the court chamberlain entrusted a
bundle OF Important documents TO be used
IN drawing up the case for the defense.
Beside. In preparing this work. u was
Necessary 10 employ detectives and make
many secret Inquiries. These documents
ri