Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-25
A MAN WHO WAS DREADED.
Baron Hirsch's Reputation as Deaths Ally
Among the Superstitious.

A MAN WHO WAS DREADED.
Baron Hirsch's Reputation as Deaths 4 lily
Among the Superstitious.
Perhaps no man of his time had
so uncanny a reputation among his
enemies as the late Baron dc Hirsch.
The evil eye was tie least of the
mysterious agencies for evil ascribed
to him. Many persons-not all of
the ignorant classes-believed that
by q movement of the fingers be
could bring down ruin upon whom
soever he wished TO harm, and his
breath was said to be poisonous, re-
sulting in lunacy or slow death to
those he b1.eathed upon. Nor were
there wanting proofs to those whose
object it was to find them III the
strange disasters that overlook
many with whom he came in con-
tact. Count Weinpfen, the Austrian
ambassador to France, who was al
lied with him in many enterprises,
killed himself in Paris at time
when he apparently had everything
to live for.
Baron Won Blaschke, one of the
finest officers in the Austrian caval-
ry, became associated in friendship
and business with Baron de Hirsch
and killed himself shortly after.
Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria
was De Hirsch's friend. His nys-
terious death at Meyerling and the
scandal that followed shocked all
Europe. Nor did those admitted tc
still closer intimacy with this
strange person escape.
His right hand man and general
factotum, Henry Coward, was found
with his throat cut, every evidence
being present to show that it was
case of carefully prepared self de-
struction. Count Pompey Coronni-
nj, whom De Hirsch admitted to an
intimacy accorded TO few, became
notorious in a poisoning case aud
was ruined in reputation.
Finally the baron's only son. Lu-
oien, died suddenly and unaccount-
ably, taking from De Hirsch's life
one of the few real spots of bright
ness in it, for the affection between
son and father was very strong. 1t
is said that the baron knew of this
unfortunate reputation of his, and
that, once driving in the country
with an acquaintance, he passed two
peasants who made the sign Of the
cross, avertmg their faces.
There is an instance OF what the
persecution of SANDER can do, said
De Hirsch bitterly to his companion.
81 would rather they had stoned
me-"
To the sinister reports Of supersti
ton, the effect of which was mar
velously widespread, was due the
blackballing of Baron de Hirsch at
the Jockey club in Vienna, and it is
said that it uDderlay the refusal OF
Count Festeticz to allow the Prince
of Wales to bring the baron III his
train On his proposed visit to hes-
thely, the counts castle in Hungary.
AS q consequence, the prince at the
last moment declined to go. To
what extent he was manipulated in
TIE correspondence on this delicate
matter by De Hirsch, who was then
in position to exercise great infu-
ence upon the prince because of
their financial relations, was moot
question and the topic of the hour
in European society. There was
hardly anything In the famous phi
lanthropist appearance to support
the theory that he was an active
agent for evil unless it were his eyes.
These were very large and bright, OF
q grayish green hue and most pecul-
iarly set under a rather retreating
forehead. No other feature Of his
face was in any way remarkable
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