The morning times., 1896-02-27
FOUGHT With CHESSMEN
Novel Duel Over a Girl in New
York.
Was to Commit Suicide ana Prob
ably Has Done So

New York, Feb. 26.-William StampfcT,
proprietor of the Manhattan Cafe" at
the corner OF Ninth street and Second
avenue doesn't know whether his friend
Baron Eugen Won Ottenkron, has really
put an end to his existence or is merely
pla wing a lovers dodge to frighten Clara
into listening TO his suit.
AS the matter stands however the Baron
and his rival, Otto Erlanger fought an
American dueI'' at the Manhattan Cafe on
Monday night. The baron was the loser and
has disappeared leaving word that ne would
take his life, according To the code.
Baron Won ottenkron and were fellow
students at Vienna said Mr. Stdmpfer to
me last night. 3" He comes from an old aud
noble Bohemian family, and is regular
patron Of my place.
u thought nothing of it when the baron
brought his friend, Baron ErIanger. here last
| night and began TO play chess in one of the
upper rooms. Bpt the game seemed so in
terminable that | asked them If it would
never end.
" Don't disturb US, said Won OttenkrOn-
This is serious matter
Two hours later / was called up TO the
room where the two men bad at last finished
their game. The baron was white and
trembling. He could scarcely speak cohcr-
emily as he placed a little package in my
hand.
= Perhaps you'll never see me again,
old friend, he stanmered. Keep these
things for me. I'll send you letter in d
day or So
with that he rushed 'front.' nc room. with
out casting a glance at Erlangcr who
slowly followed him.
Il did not regard the affair seriously at
that time, as both are tmpetuOus and hot
tempered men. But today / received the
promised letter from Ouenkorn, and il
puts quite a serious aspect on the matter,
considering that it comes from man who
is advanced in the tbirties.''
In the letter, the Baron writes that he and
Erlanger had fallen in love with Il young
woman named Clara. They had decided
TO end the rivalry by aging three games of
chess, the loser to commit suicide.
Il lost" writes the baron. Il intend
leaving this city OF misfortune / Will kill
myself at some distant point, so that my
unidentified body will not be a burden
TO my friends.
Clara loved me once Perhaps she will
think of me tendcrly when she hears / am
dead. The package left with you contains
correspondence and few valuables which
/ bequeath to my friend, Frederic Won
Muehlbacb. He viii call for them"
Mr.. stampfcr says that ne has never heard
of the young woman called Clara. There
were more than dozen letters in the
package, all signed Clara" and addressed
10 the baron in the most affectionatc and
endearing terms.
A young man, faultlessiy att ired. but in
state of great excitement, called on Mr.
Stampfer yesterday morning. and giving
the name of Frederick Won Muehbach, de-
manded the baron's package. He gave a
receipt for the articles il contained. The
list includes plain gold ring, small black
metal watch, a platinum and gold chain.
silver match box and thirteen letters
signed Clara
Mr.. Stampfer was so busy at the time
that he was unable TO question Won MuehI-
bach. Afterward he tried 10 recall the
address OF the baron and his friend Er-
langer, but he only remembered that they
stayed in some boarding house on the east
side. Won Muehlbach he had never seen
before.
He says that the baron was not given TO
melancholia, but was a very passionate. err
ratio sort OF individual. Despite the fact
that his letter is extremely earnest and
somber in its toue Mr.. Stampfer thinks the
baron is in hiding not very far from Second
avenue, awaiting the effect that the an
nouncement OF his demise will have upon
the Obdurate Clara"