The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-16
GROWN PRINCE RUDOLPH'S DEATH.
A British Version Of the Tragedy at
Mayerling Ten Years Ago.

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The veil is more or less lifted from the
shocking tragedy of the Crown Prince Ru-
dolph's death in the illustrated journal the
West End. The crown prince. as is well
known, was desperately IN love with the
beautiful Baroness Marie Vetsera- He
wrote and dispatched by a trusty messenger
a letter to the Pope, praying for a DISPENSE
ton and the favor of his intercession will
the Emperor SO that he might be enabled
to relinQuish his title to the throne, give
up his high estate and retire into that pri-
vate life which he so much preferred. The
Pope, instead of replying directly TO this
letter, Immediately communicated the whole
Emperor end his ministers were thrown into
the utmost CONSERVATION, and II was then
that Franz Josef uttered that famous say
ing, Never, as long as 1 live" An agoniz-
ing interview followed between father and
son, which lasted throughout the night, and
when in the early hours of the morning the
was after he had given his word OF honor
to his father to break OF his relations with
the baroness forever.
The crown prince and the baroness met in
Vienna and a heartrending farewell took
place between them. But at the time OF
parting she elected a promise from him that
he would once more meet her al his shooting
box at Mayerling, an enchanting spot In
Wiener Wald.
Two days afterward the crown prince in
structed Bratfisch to fetch and drive the
baroness to Mayerling. This Bratfisch, Ii is
well TO mention, has hitherto been sup
posed to have been an ordinary coachman.
IlC WdGs 80 "a OL A8CLs III vii y
coachman at all, but a ~well-known singer,
who frequently sang TO the crown prince
his favorite songs. Brathsch obeyed inStruc-
tions and succeeded in bringing the beauti-
full Marie Vetsera TO the shooting box, there
to meet her lover-for the last time.
1t was at first a very enjoyable evening
that was spent at Mayerling. Songs were
sung, and as the wine passed freely the
laughter became frequent and loud. The
company consisted of Prince Philip Of CO.
burg, Count Hovos. and Bratfisch. and, Of
course, the crown prince and his beautiful
Prime Rudolph's good hurnor seemed slight
~ forced and that the baroness was distrait
and tired. Toward / in the morning the
latter complained Of feeling unwell, and re-
tired 10 her room. The crown prince, how
ever. remained with his friends. He drank
heavily-a most unusual proceeding for him.
At one moment ne was moody, at another
he was hilariously gay.
At 2 o'clock, after having consumed the
best part OF a decanter of brandy, the
prince said goodnight to his friend and
went upstairs. He entered the baroness's
bedroom. lie never left that room.
The next morning at Z o'clock Bratisch.
who was so much in the confidence OF the
prince, went to the bedroom to wake his
royal master, who had said the night before
On reaching the room Bratisch. after
knocking. tried the door and found IL un-
locked. He entered, and staggered hack.
faintins at the CHASTITY sight which met his
Mortified eyes
Lying upon a sofa. completely covered
Vetsera. She was dead. BY her side lay
her lover. the Crown Prince Rudolph.
clutching a heavy cavalry Pistol. lie had
shot away the back of his head.
Bratisch, as soon as he could recover
himself. at once reused the house. and ter