Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-27
A DUEL WITH CHESsMEN.


Manhattan Cafe" at the corner OF
Ninth street and Second avenue, does not
whether know his friend, Baron Eugen
Won O.tenkron, has really put an end
to his existence or is merely playing q
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 duel" at the
Manhattan Cafe on Monday night. The
baron was the loser and has disappear
ed, leaving word that he would take
his life, according to the code.
Baron Won Ottenkron and l were
fellow students at Vienna" said Mr..
Stampier to me Tuesday night. "He
comes from an old and noble Bohemian
family, and is regular patron of my
place"
II thought nothing of it when the
Baron brought his friend, Otto Erlang-
err, here Tuesday night and began to
play chess in one of the upper rooms.
But the game seemed so interminable
that l asked them if it would never end.
Don't disturb u.s. said Won Often
kron. "This is q serious matter"
Two hours later / was called up to
the room where the two men had at
last finished their game. The Baron was
white and trembling. He could scarce
ly speak cohcrently as ne placed little
package in my hand.
"'Perhaps you'll never see me again,
old triend,' he stammered. Keep these
things for rne. I'll send you q letter in
a day Or so.
"With that he rushed from the room,
without casting glance at Erlanger,
who slowly followed him.
II did not regard the affair seriously
at that time, as both are impetuous and
hot tempered men. But yesterday l
received the promised letter from OF
teuIlron, and it puts quite serious as
pect on the matter, considering that it
comes from man who is advanced in
the thirties. >
In the letter the Baron writes that
ne and Erlanger had fallen in love with
young woman named Clara. They
had decided to end the rivalry by play.
ing three games OF chess. the loser TO
commit SUICIDE.
II lost,n writes the baron. 81 intend
leaving this city of misfortune. l will
kill myself at some distant point, so
that my unidentified body will not be
burden to my friends
"Clara loved me once. Perhaps she
will think Of me tenderly when she
hears / am dead. The package / left
with you contains correspondence and
a few valuables, which l bequeath to
my friend, Frederic Won Muehlbach.
He will call for them.'
Mr. Stampfer says that he has never
heard OF the young woman called Clara.
There were more than a dozen letters
in the package, all signed "Clara," and
addressed to the baron in the most af-
fectionate and endearing terms.
A young man, faultlessly attired, but
in state OF great excitement, called
on Mr.. Stampfer Tuesday morning,
and, giving the name of Frederick Won
Muehlbach, demanded the baron's
package. He gave receipt for the
articles it contained. The list includes
plain gold ring, a small black metal
watch, platinum and gold chain, a
silver match box and thirteen letters
signed "Clara."
Mr.. Stampfer was SO busy at the time
that he was unable to question Won
AIuehlbach. Afterward he tried to re-
call the addresses of the baron and his
friend Erlanger, but he only remem-
5ers that they stayed in some board
Jug house or the east side. Won
Muehlbach be had never seen before.
He says that the baron was not CIV
en- to melancholia, but was very pas
sionate, erratic sort of individual.
Despite the fact that his letter is ex-
tremely earnest and sombre in its tone.
Mr.. Stampfer thinks the baron is in
hiding not far from Second avenue,
awaiting the effect that the announce
ment of his demise will have upon the
oDdurate "Clara. IN 7. Herald.