The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-13


much as Kris krngle would appear
shorn OF the traditional beard The
Barons greatest honor Is that he was
guest at the wedding OF Prince bismarck
and Johanna Won Puttkanmer. Fraulne
Won Puttkanmer was moreover "A cousin
of the husband Of a sister of Won Sydow.
Long years after the titled newsboy was
a Captain i'm the Butcher Iiussars. the
most famous cavalry troops OF the Ger
man empire. Later Won Sydow became
soldier on the Union side in the late civil
war. and rose to the rank of Captain in
the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry.
For a number of years Won Sydow has
been selling newspapers on the North
Side. and that is his chief means OF sup
pert. Occasionally he receives a check
from an uncle who is president OF the
great Reich bank. I'm Hamburg. His
friends say the check doesn't last long.
for its recipient is apt TO give IL all TO
The first beggar he meets on the sidewalk.
The Barons faycrite resort is Mehrens
saloon, and during the day and night he
is often 10 be found there DOING over
his glass OF beer or talking I'm German
with some old friend about the glorious
days long past.
Won Sydow is n pathological degenerate.
Twenty years ago he could speak English
as well as any man born i'm Germany,
but in late years he has talked so con-
t.nuously in German that he has forgot
ten most of his English. In late years.
too Won Sydows temperament has
grown exceedingly irascible, and when
crossed in the least thing he flies 70
pieces as readily as did Rip Van Win
kle's wife. lie gets excited and pounds
the table or bar H. front OF him. swings
ms arms around and talks so loud that
ne can be heard to the Clark-strcet
bridge. All OF his old German friends
humor him. however. and treat him
much IS they would a pet.
Won SydOw was born I'm 1874 in the
city OF StIlp. Prussia When Oil
enough he was placed in a German cade,
school, from which he graduated at the
age OF eighteen. He entered the army.
'.nd quicyly rose TO the rank OF first lieu
tenant in the Butcher Huasars, and was
among those who fought the Danes Ia
the Danish-German war. The Baron
carries a long. straigh. scar at the top
OF his forehead. which he received from
Il sword in a battle during the var. Ills
brave conduct on the field won him pro-
motion, and he was made an aid-de-camD
on the staff Of Prince Frederick. . he
pl ew Of old Emperor William.
Notwithstanding the distinction he n1d
won. The Baron determined to forsdke
the fatherland and come to try his for
time i'm America. He was still holding
the rank of Captain In the Butchers
when he set sail for the United States.
He came 10 Chicago, where he had a
large number Of friends and acqua.nt-
ances. The rebellion had just broken
out. and the Roron. with a number OF
mis- companions. joined the Northern
Company +. Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. Of
which company he ultimately became
the commander
Won SyGow takes greater pride In the
fact that he knew Bismarck and was a
guest at fis wedding than I'm anything
else. RE tells OF that event with the
gusto and glce with which a Waterloo
hero would tell of the greatest battle m
European history. And. by the way
the Barons father was the noted Gen.
William Won Sydow. who WAS Adjutan.
under Gen. Won Bulow in that famous
conflict The Baron often visited at the
homo OF his sister whose husband was
related 10 Bismarck's bride. From this
place It was only few miles TO Rhisn
fcldt. the home Of the iron chancellor,
sweetheart and IL was only a few miles
in another direction to Vareiren. Bis
risrck's home. So It happened that
when on a visit TO his sister the Baron
very often saw the young people who
were destined TO become so prominent
IN German history. lie says Bismarck
was the best fellow in the world. and
his boyish pranks and good fellowship
made him popular the country round.
He IS even more enthusiastic In his
praise Of the fair Johanna, who was IA
nous i'm the county for her charity work.
which she did in person. Bismarck was
only A Lieutenant when ne married. and
the ceremony took pl,ce in the little vii
|. ge church OF Alt Colziglow. The 9Th
day or March was a great event In the
hamlet All the villagers and their chill
dren we're invited 10 witness the mar
rage, the little church was packed and
crowded as II hac never been bef2.e.
little toyS and girls csa-tfred flowers
down the aisle Tor the ridal couple 10
walk upon. and d choir OF children sang
u hymn for the wedding march, Tor they
had no organ.
The old Baron was 10 have been taken
back to the fatherland last summer.
when so many Germans made the trip.
but for some reason he did not 90. he
has now almost given uD the idea ot
ever seeing his fatherland AGAIN. 30
every morning and evening his bent forni
Is still seen on North Clark street, as se
shufi,es about making the rounds With
his newspapers. stopping ana talking Tor
a few seconds with every one he knows
Chicago Times Herald.
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The earliest record OF cavalry - en- the