The San Francisco call., 1896-08-23
A Dutch bARON'S
FEARFUL THREATS
Blue-Blooded William G.
Shreckkenburg Gets
Into Prison.
WOULD KILL HIS WIFE.
Accused of Administering a
Drug and Practicing Ex.
tortion.
SUIT FILED FOR DIVORCE.
The Prisoner Claims Noble Lineage
and Speaks Fluently in SIX
Different Tongues.
SUIT FILED FOR DIVORCE.

Baron William G. Shreckkenburg rests
out at the City Prison, in cold steel cell,
sad lot for man of so noble lineage
and such name. The primal cause of
the Baron's ignoble position is threaten
ing to kill the wife of his bosom, but that
is not all of the Baron's infelicity, by any
means. There is, incidentally, suit for
divorce OH several well defined and very
strong charges.
Schrekkenburg, who halls from <Amster-
dam, and claims to be Dutch Baron,
came to San Francisco last March, and
has at various times exercised his muscles
in serving viands to the patrons of the
Palace Hotel and the Maison Doree. The
rest of the time he spent in loafing and
disposing of the $50 month he received
from some source or other. He himself
has said it was received from blue blooded
relatives. in the Netherlands.
In the latter part of April or the early
part OF May Of the present year, the Baron
met Miss Frances r. Lamon, who has
lived in this City for the last four years,
but whose parents live in Monterey. The
young lady is possessed of certain valua-
bic property near her native CITY, and in
addition has about $4,000 or $4,000 in saw
ings bank here.
The two kept company until July %,
when they were married at the new CITY
Hall by Justice Cook. Rooms were at
once taken on Mason street, near Eddy.
Last Monday suit for divorce was
brought and the case assigned to Judge
Hebbard's court. In this suit the lady is
represented by Attorney Joseph A.
Mitchell. The defendant time in which
to answer will expire next Thursday.
The complaint states some very curious
things, such, however, the com plant itself
says, as might be expected from man OF
title. The first charge is that defendant
has continuously treated plaintiff IN a
cruel and inhuman manner, and that ne
has frequently applied vile and indecent
epithetS to ner.
day subsequent to marriage, the plaintiff
believes defendant administered drug to
her in their apartments on Mason street,
and that while she was in a weak and over
powered condition he demanded that she
sign a check in ais favor for large sum
of money. If she refused to do this, the
complaint states, he asserted he would
kill her.
AS soon as she was able, or on August 1.
the woman says she left Shreckken burg
and took up quarters in another lodging
house on the same street, fearing that be
would carry his threat into execution. 1t
is mentioned that he Immediately followed
her and took up quarters on the lower
floor of the house, where he could bad ger
and threaten her as she came and went.
The next charge is that Shreckkenburg
maliciously circulated false reports about
his wife, with the view of forcing her to
give him money. He has further, she
says, not only refused to pay cent toward
her support, but left her to pay several
small bills of his own. This, the COM
plant incidentally mentions, is ample
proof of his blue blood.
On the night of August ID, Mrs. Shreck-
kenburg charges, her husband forced his
way into the room where she was reclining
on a lounge and violently hauled her
around the room, declaring that if
she would give him $100 all would
be well, but otherwise he would
fix her so she could not tell who did it.
On account of his actions she called in po-
liceman, who elected the infuriated Baron
without ceremony. Since then she has
been, she says, in state of nervous pros
tration.
When the papers for divorce were served
on Shreckkenburg. Attorney Mitchell saws
he was very abusive, and said in the pres
ence of several that he would kill his wife,
whether she obtained divorce or not.
Friday night the Baron's wife saws he
went 10 her room with large knife in
his hand, which he fourished in very
suggestive manner, and used most abusive
language toward her. A warrant was
issued for his arrest on the ground OF
threatening to commit murder.
Besides being an accomplished linguist
the Baron is said to have travelled all over
the world, coming here directly from
Denver, and to have acted as interpreter
Tor distinguished Americans travelling on
the Continent.