The record-union., 1898-06-01
A BANKRUPT PRINCE.
HE IS NOW STUDYING MEDI-
CINE IN BROOKLYN, N. Y.
Ran Through an Immense Fortune
and Piled Up a Mountain
Of Debts.

Gus living, and is now a medical stu
uent. His associates at the Long ISL
ana College Hospital know him simply
as FRANCOIS Auersperg. He is a Prince
or the ancient and honorable Austrian
house of Auersperg, and when he left
vienna he likewise left trail of in
Vulnerable debts and innumerable ro-
mantle stories concerning his esca-
pades.
While debts are behind in the care
of creditors, the wealthy family of the
debtor, and the bankruptcy courts of
Vienna, the stories of how the debts
We're made and most startling incidents
connected with the Monte Cristo career
Of the young Prince have followed him
to New York.
If half Of these stories were true they
would show that Prince Auersperg had
crowded into his life of only twenty
nine years more than what falls to the
lot of many men of his station in four
score years. It has been stated on the
very best authority that his total in
debtednesS amounted to %1OO,OOO.
For Prince Francois to make this debt
was not at all difficult. His family
standing and credit made his obligation
acceptable, for the family is one of the
oldest in Austria, and it's good name
recommends every member of it. 1t
was an easy matter for the son Of
Prince .Adolph Auersperg, the nephew
of Prince Carl lay Minister of Aus
tria; the grand nephew of Count Anton
Alexander Auersperg, the famous wri-
ter of German poetry, to get credit for
the asking of it.
True it is that most of the millions
of fiorins left by his father went to
his elder brother, Carl. but he had a
generous allowance, the amount Of
which his family keeps a secret.
AS the story goes, which comes from
Vienna, the young Princes money did
not last him long. and soon credit was
resorted to, but alas! there is a limit to
credit In 1894 creditors began asking
for their pay, and when it did not come
they resorted to legal procedure to
make collections. Then came the end.
Something had to be done Prince
Francois decided to leave Vienna, and
turn over a new leaf He has done
both, and friends and family commend
him most heartily.
But where did the money go? The
Prince had to be we'll housed and well
Siotiicu I1t Ildu 10 tTdNel anu enter
tain, and did SO most royalty, without
counting the cost Then he speculated
and did not speculate well. He was
fond Of the drama and more fond of
the actors, male and female. All of
this meant dinners and suppers, with
expensive viands and more expensive
wines. 1t meant carriages, horses rail-
way tickets, fine dresses and no end of
presents in jewelry. 1t was continual
dance, for which the piper had to be
paid.
Ladies of the opera and drama sought
the Princes favors. A story is told of
jewelry worth $4,000 that he gave to
a leading actress. Unfortunately for
her, she lost it. for it was intrusted to
the Prince for needed repairs, and while
in the hands of the jeweler was seized
by a diligent creditor and sold, under
process of court, to pay a debt.
So attentive was the Prince to the
leading lady that he accepted her en-
tire troupe as his guests for a long
time, paying railway and hotel bills
and all other expenses. She was one
of many, for the Prince was more than
liberal in forming friendships and ex-
travagant in proving his good fellow
ship.
This is one of the many stories told
of the Prince, but as his acquaintance
was large and his generosity unbound
ed there was no poverty in opportuni-
ties to spend money. AS the spender
placed no value on money, and was
bent on having a good time, the cash
went and soon dragged the credit after
it.
Then the Princes speculatjons took
him into the real estate market. He is
said to have made many purchases of
Vienna suburban property and to have
gone heavily in debt for it, thus involv-
ing himself in no end of trouble and
litigation. One of the most handsome
villas purchased by him was sold or
given TO Pauline Lucca who was great
ly admired by the Prince. His creditors
claim it was not a purchase, and as a
gift is not good as against their claims.
The courts must settle the question.
For the purpose of learning where
fact ended and fiction began. / called
on the Prince and on those of his ac-
Quaintance who know of his career at
home and in New York during the two
years of his stay here. The stories and
interest in the Prince were brought
to the public attention by the cable
news from Vienna that the bankruptcy
proceedings had been concluded.
The Prince found at his apartments,
No. 341 Clinton street, Borough OF
Brooklyn, and was most cordially re-
ceived by the young man, who In MS
bearing and conversation showed mlli-
tary training. high education and lib
eral physical and mental endowments.
His countenance, which bespeaks frank
ness, and his high and broad forehead,
which tells Of mental ability, brought to
my mind the picture of his father,
Prince Adolph. as he appeared when
Prime Minister of Austria. and who
died in January, 1883, after having been
Minister of Finance II am pleased 20
meet you," said the Prince, +" and am
glad of an opportunity to correct some OF
the absurd stories that have reached
this country in relation to me, for many
Of them have caused me much annoy
ance. 1t has been said that l have been
ostracized by Vienna society and could
not return there. This statement is abb
solutely false, and l intend to return TO
Vienna in May of next year. when will
be graduated from the Long Island Col
lege Hospital, where 1 am now pursu-
ing my studies. / have many friends
there and will be welcomed by the best
society of the capital. but l have no idea
of taking up the life 1 left there. l will
continue my medical studies, and after
that expect to return to this country and
conduct sanitarium.
This may all sound strange to you
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