The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-14
COUNTESS on THE Stage.
Relic of Royal Wedding Before Kan
sas City Footlights.

Relic of Royal Wedding Before Kan
sas City Footlights.
Kansas City Oct. 14.-OIga Regina,
Countess Won Hatzfeldt, who is to ap-
pear at the Orpheum during the present
week, is a real countess, and not one
for bill board purposes only. If you do
not believe it the countess will show
you an important legal document which
testifes that on November 3, 1876, Her
man Lieb, clerk of Cook county, Ill,
issued a marriage license to Edmund
Won Hatzfeldt and Anna Auer. The
romance of Olga Regina's life began
in Germany, and it has not yet ended.
The countess is a pretty and grace
full young woman, who sings with a
voice which has been declared to be
good enough for opera, and who knows
how to wear effective costumes, but it
is something more than this which has
brought her into public view. She first
became an object of interest because
she was born to a title and lived for
years in poverty, and next because she
held her own against Coils P. Hunting
ton, the railroad king. The countess
went so far as to enter the den of the
great millionaire and express her views
on certain subjects in no uncertain
terms. Naturally, Mr.. Huntington, who
is a sort of uncle of the countess by
marriage, did not like this procedure,
and now he and the countess meet as
strangers.
Here is something of the story of her
life:
Olga Regina is the granddaughter of
Paul Ferdinand Won HatZfeldt, a Ger
man count Her father is his youngest
son. and the half brother to Count Paul
Won Hatzfeldt, the present German am
bassador to the court Of st. James.
Olga's father was younger son, by ms
fathers second wife and not having
oh of
the army to make his fortune. A duel
with a fellow officer resulted IN his OPP
ponent's death, and Edmund Won HAITI
feldt fled to America, shut off forever
from his family and fortune.
He found his way to Milwaukee,
where he became manager of theater
stock company. While his company
was playing an engagement in Chicago
he met Anna Auer, German actress,
whom he married. A few years ago
Won Hatfield and his wife separated,
and the mother took her young daugh-
ter to New York where they lived IN
Strengthened circumstances.
olga has always showed a liking for
the stage, and when she was old enough
she determined to make a start as a
singer. 'Uncle" Coils Huntington, who
had become connected with the family
because his daughter had married
Count Paul Won Hatzfeldt, half brother
of Olga's father, knew of the existence
of the young girl, as he mad sent
wedding invitation to her father ana
to appeal to the railway magnate for
letters of introduction to prominent
theatrical managers.
Mother and daughter had no little
trouble in securing an audience with
Uncle Coils, who sent word from
his private office that he did not re
ceive women. but finally a caro- pear
ing the magic words, Countess Won
HatzfeIdt" settled the matter
Being wise man, the first thing I'm
Gle" Coils did was to tell olga that she
ri-l
He next told her that she should give
up the idea of going on the stage This
did not please her.
s'You surely would not drag the hon
ored name of Won HatZfeldt into the
theater," said the magnate.
THE name is mine by birth, and 1
have a right to use It," replied the
countess, and then she insinuated that
Uncle Coils had not been IN the fam
lily so very long himself. !.
ternined than ever to go upon the stage,
and to make use Of the attr1etiye name me
Of his agents to her offering her 5000 in
cash and an annuity of 81, 500 II she would
renounce her intention of appearing III
The countess replied thai. she. hoped some
an actress and she declined his offer
About this time friend of Olga and her
him mai the women were in sad need of
funds, and that they were living in four
wen. they have just three rooms too
many" replied the millionaire. -,
When the countess made her tnal call
on her warm hearted uncle he refused to
see her but sent out $40 bill, which she
still retains as one of her most priced pos
sessions, although she has repaid him the
amount. 49,
she does not deny that the treatment she
has received from the Won Hatzfeldts is
not TO her liking She is now thinking of
making a visit to London, for the purpose
of pa wing a friendly call to Uncle Paul,
and fnsinuating that she would like to
see some part of her fathers estate. If
Uncle Paul should prove as obstinate as
doubtless give him piece of her mind
also.
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