The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-12
TRAGEDY OF RUDOLPH
Who Loved Marie VetSera
Better Than a Throne.
AN UNEXAMPLED REVENGE
Which Led to the Horrible
Death of Them Both.

OF Austria never has been explained fully
Some of the facts connected with that
tragic event. which deprived the imperial
house Of Hspsburg OF its only direct male
heir to the throne became known at the
time, but they were not sufficient to build
upon thorn more than a vague theory in
regard to the events which led up to the
tragedy. All persons who were in a posi-
ton to possess positive knowledge OF the
matter were induced by the court to pre-
serve the utm ost secrecy. and everything
was arranged so carefully that even the
newspapers were unable to obtain authen-
tic information.
Under these circumstances it will easily
be understood that the recent pubHca ton
OF an article in the Revue des Revues pur-
porting 10 give the actual facts connected
with the death of Crown Prince Rudolph
caused the greatest sensation in Vienna.
The article referred to bears the signature
Of Princess Odescalchi, nee Countess
Itchy. The princess, who is about 80
years old and separated from her hus-
band, belongs TO one of the weslthiest
and most respected families Of the Hun
garian inability. Her high rank and her
intimacy with those standing nearest to
the throne naturally give great weight to
her statements, at least in the eyes Of the
people.
In her article Princess Odescalchi gives,
for an introduction, a short sketch Of the
early life and education of the Crown
Prince. of his numerous love affairs, and
OF his betrothaI and firai marriage 10
Crown Princess Stephanie. She speaks
Of the jealous disposition Of the princess
and of the constant friction between her
and the crown prince. which was greatly
augmented through the interference Of in
triguing meddlers at court
The author does not hesitate 70 say that
Crown Princess Stephauie even before
he marriage, had ample reasons to com
plain of the fcldeness OF her intended
husband. During the engagement Rudolph
entertained intimate relations with A
charming and gay young widow of VIZ
emma. a Nine. Fischer, His infatuation
for that beautiful woman was an open
secret in the capital, but Princess Ste
phanie did not discover it until few
months before her marriage.
At that time Rudolph was in the habit
Of taking frequent flying trips to Brus-
sells to visit his betrothed On one OF
these trips Nine. Fischer accompanied
him in his parIor car to Brussels Before
his departure from the Belgian capital
Rudolph called at the royal castle and
bade his intended an aectionate good by
shortly before he returned TO his parIor
car. Everything wodld have gone well
had not the princess decided in the last
moment 10 90 to the station for the pur-
pose Of bidding her intended another god
speed.
Accompanied by her mother, Queen
Henrietta. the princess rode to the sta
ton, where she found Rudolph in his
car, engaged in animated conversation
with Nine. Fischer.
Princess stephsnle felt deeply hurt. and
only after considerable persuasion could
she he Induced not to break the en-
gasement.
Even after his marriage Rudolph con-
tinued to seek gallant adventures. and
there were always some persons in her
household who played the spy and prompt
ly informed the unfortunate princess Of
her husbands doings. on several occa-
IN her royal eQuipage. waited IN front Of
the house where her spouse happened to
be until he came out.
Crown Prince Rudolph, says the author
became acquainted with Marie Vetsera at
the palace of Countess Larisch. He fell in
love with the beautiful Girl snd she recip-
roc5ted his feelings. He begged his father.
the emperor. 10 sanction his divorce from
StophaniP, the abiicsJion Of his right 10
the throne, and his marriage TO Marie
Netsera, who in intimate court circles was
believed to be the Illeeitimate daughter
of Archduke Wilhelm of Austria. one Of
the brothers Of the emperor. The father
OF the prince refused 70 grant these re
quests and strongly Censured him for his
mad infauation. Rudolph appealed to the
pope, but met with decided opposition
The emperor wishing To prevent an
oDen rupture made a strong appeal to his
sons sense of duty. ana obtained from
him the solemn promise that he would
sever his relations with Marie vetscra.
The reconciliation Of the members Of The
imperial family was 70 Ne celebrated At
a family dinner on the evening OF Janu-
a~y %. 1850, al 5 o'clock.
Marie Netsera. according TO Princess
Odescalchis article. was Informed Of The
result Of the conversation between Bu-
delphi and The emperor and. IN tAe pres
enco Of Countess LariscE. threatened 70
take revenge upon hcr imperial lover
should he really mean 10 discard her
Countess Larisch knowing the passion
ate nature Of 5se girl became frightened
and warned the crown priuce ia a letter. .
Rudolph was in his apartments, seri- /
ousIy thinking over the situation whea /
Marie Vetsera forced an entrance 20 his .
private room and after passiouate9
scene. induced her lover to san, her +
farewell meeting thar aarae afternoon n +
Meyerling. an imperial hunting Go5ee nesr /
Vienna.
II a light sleish. driven by his trusted I.
reachrsn. Brstnsch. Rudolph started for /
Mye~.'ag. The snow was deep and the +
progress Of the sleigh Sc slow tha, 81 did I.
no; reach Baden Un-D O'Clock ia The af- 4
te~noon On his way the crown prince /
ncr his bro,Acr-in law. Prince Philip Of 4
Coou~=, VINO was EGccving back ;o Ii /
emma % be I'm ;Irne FOR the family dinner +
10 he given that evening Phijp suspected !
the Jra.a ana iuplored Rudolph O. return +
with him 20 Vienna
He had almost succeeded in moving the /
crown prince when = light vehicle APP
preached from Ge-er.iuz AT full speed. 4
containing Made Ee.sa-a Leaving her 4
carriage she jumped iu.o Ra5olph's siefgc
ans a few second later they sped Oh tow
ards Meyerling There were a number Of /
cavaliers at the lodge when the crown
prince arrived. Under the prs-sxt Of SUI
fering from severe headache Rudolph re-