The times., 1898-10-15
A REMARKABLE WOMAN.
The Wealthy German Countess on
Her Yacht for Chicago.
lFrom the Chicago Tfme.-Heraldl

(From the Chicago Times -Herald)
Countess Adeline Won Schimmelmann of
Denmark. who arrived at Buffalo Friday
in her private yacht Dsien, and intends in
a weeks time To come % Chicago to
spend the winter, is a most remarkable
woman In Denmark and also in Ger
many, where her family originated she is
noted for her charitable work among the
fisher folk and sailors That she is COM
ing TO Chicago to find "a new field for her
missionary labors there is little doubt.
A Dane who knows of,the countess work
along the shores of the Baltic Sea is of
the opinion that she will put her yacht in
winter quarters in the Chicago River, live
in 1t and conduct religious services in
the cabin. In the three years that the
countess has been traveHng in her yacht
she has acted independently of any or
ganiza her own plans and
having her own way in reforming fisher
people and sailors.
That the countess is eccentric, very &C.
centric. is acknowledged. She is also i'm
mensely wealthy. Ii is only few years
ago that the countess was a lady-in-wait
ing of the imperial German court and
reigning belle. She was always charitably
disposed. and the giving away of large
sums of money caused her relatives to
object and endeavor to restrain her ac-
tions. II was this attempt, so harshiy
made and which so igaoniniously failed,
that caused the countess to turn her back
upon the pleasures of the world and give
her life to charity and religion
! over four years ago her relatives took
measures to have her sanity tested. She
was placed in hospital in Copenhagen
! for observation and examination, and
| was declared of unsound mind by Prof
| Pontoppidan. renowned physician OF
| the University of Copenhagen. She
J fought his decision so well that al
though she was under restraint for sew
| eral months. public opinion compelled her
release. Prominent people had much
| sympathy for her in her trouble, and
came to the rescue. So strong was the
| feeling against the eminent professor
that he resigned his chair of medicine in
| the university All Europe was excited
| and Interested in the case at the time.
The Countess is dignitied, about forty
| years DID, with brown hair, blue eyes
and a clear-cut profile. She speaks Eng
| lish fiuently. and is most enthusiastic
about her missionary work The yacht
| is her home, ani she lives on board near
ly the year round. She prefers TO winter
in some large seaport and turn her yacht
| into a home for sailors. From thirty to
| forty are provided for every winter Two
| years ago, while wintering on the island
of Rugen, in the Baltic Sea. she took
| care of three boys and has since adopted
| them as her sons. They are now with her
on the yacht. Round the shore of the
| Baltic Sea and along the coasts of Ger
| many and Russia she has sailed from
| port to port. helping the fisher people
| and preaching to them. The Queen of
| Denmark and other members of royalty.
including the Prince of Wales, have Civ
en- her money to be distributed to the
poor. She lives very plainly.
Duen (meaning Dove) was formerly the
racing yacht Tumbler. and was purchas-
ed from Prince Waldeman of Denmark
1t Is eighty-four feet long and eighteen
feet beam. Capt. DELANEY. of st. Cath
crimes, Ont, will pilot the yacht from
Buffalo to Chicago.
1.-The history of the Schimmelmann
family tree is quite interesting said a
Danish gentleman last evening. About
300 years ago a poor German came TO
Denmark, and in course OF time entered
the mercantile business. He made a
great fortune, and built d palace in Co
penhagen. The king took an interest in
the man, gave him the stitle of count
and raised him to the nobility. After
ward Schimmelmann became the finan-
cial adviser of the king. The property
of his family for generations has increas-
ed until they own immense estates in
Yutland. Denmark and HoIstein, in North
| Germany. ~. II
THE present Countess .Schimmelmann
is member Of the nobility. That she
is eccentric cannot be helped but she is
good woman and is using her great
wealth to help others.t The attempt to
declare her insane failed. and since then
some four years ago-she has had her
own way undisturbed.- She is now what
may be termed religious enthusiast
Sometimes she breaches in churches.
hope she will be well received in Chica-
go, for she is an interesting and worthy
| person."