The times., 1897-03-26
A BLUE FLOODED BLUEc0AT
German Baron Gets on the Cap
itol Police Squad.
A FORTUNE COMING TO HIM
Peculiar Terms of His Mothers
VIII Compel Him TO Serve Ten
Years in Government Service.
He Fought i'm a Duel and Is There
fore Fugitive From Justice.

Among the recent acquisitions to the
police force OF Washington is one whose
interesting history makes him one of the
most unique personages among the finest
he is Baron John l.. Won Muegge, a
IIobleman of the German empire, and an
heir by the will of his mother to a large
estate in the Fathelland.
Raron Won Muegge is member of the
Capitol police.
Tile baron was not inclined to follow
the precepts of his mother, the late
Baroness Marie Josephine Won Muegge,
born Countess of Holzendorf, in the king
dom of SaNony, Dresden, Germany, in his
his youth, and ii is largely due to this
fact that he VIII do police duty at the
Capitol
he came dangerously near placing
blot upon the family escutcheon while a
cadet ut the German Naval Academy at
Hanover, when he challenged and fought
Il duel with the Count of Westenhagen, IN
which encounter both We're slightly
wounded The prominence Of tie rrin-
cipals attracted widespread attention at
the time, and the law took a Land i'll the
affair The baron came to this country
q fugitive from justice.
HIS mothers fears that he would not be
able TO properly control such a large for
tune as would be his upon her death We're
strengthened by this escapade, and she
provided thather fortune of 700 GOO marks
should L. turned over TO certain charitable
Institutions if her son did not live up to
the conditions of her Will. One of these
was that he should serve ten years in Ie
IL,
police service preferred. AT the expiration
of this time he was to have credentials
from the governments or cities in which hc
served. The baroness, knowing the high
'anE in which police Officials are held in
Europe, decided that the baron 5 conn cction
with the service would have salutary n
fluence IN fitting him for the proper man
Rgement of the fortune.
Baron Won Muegge was in this country
and had become an American citizen when
he heard of his mothers death at Badeu
Baden. i'll 1885. and the conditions of her
WIZ.
He interested George Savage, a lawyer
OF Baltimore, i'll his case and also secured
the influence OF George II. Pendleton, of
Cincinnati who was then the United States
minister TO Germany. In 1887 the latter
made application to the German govern
ment for the harun's inheritance, stating
in the request that the baron was an
American citizen and entitled to the rights
and privileges guaranteed TO citizens OF
the United States. He declar ed the
young man was not compelled TO carry
out the foolish requirements made in his
mothers Will, but as the natural heir-at-
law was entitled to the estate.
The case was heard in the high court
OF Germany, before the presiding judge OF
Baden Baden. A decision was handed
down in 1883 TO the effect that, although
the baron was AN American citizen, the
money belonged tothe baroness, his mother.
aud that she had right to do With ii as
she saw fit. The baron must comply with
the conditions OF the Will or forfeit his
claim to the estate.
The Judge, however extended the time in
tie provision of the will, so that the baron
could present his credentials of having
served OF the police force of the United
States ten years after the decision was
handed down. Having now no alternative,
the baron began the work of compliance
His credentials show that he has done
police duty in many OF the principal cities
Of the United states. II has served nine
years and hopes to complete the tent upon
tile Capitol police force.
He was once appointed police officer Of
the Rig Four road on the recommendation
OF Mr. Mckinley, in order to help the young
man on his way to fortune He arterward
sought a position in the Government Secret
Service and passed a very credtable eX-
animation, but found that he would have
to wait too long for an appointment, SO he
succeeded in securing his place upon the
Capitol police force. He will claim his
fortune at the completion OF his ten years
of service, but will continue to reside in
America.