Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-08-23
An Unexplained Mystery.
The STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF AN ENGLISH
EXTRAORDINARY

The secrets of history have fasci-
nation that is all their own to good
many of US, observes writer in the
London Queen. Among the mysteries
of life may be reckoned the strange
story of Mr.. Bathurst's disappearance
in 1909, story that an interval of
nearly century has not cleared up.
Let US, for the benefit of those who
know very little about it, tell the
leading facts of the narrative in few
words.
Mr.. Bathurst, son of the bishop of
Norwich and kinsman to the Lord
Bathurst of that day, was man who,
though young (he was not 27 when he
vanished out of this worlds knowl-
edge), was one on whom bright hopes
had been formed. He was brilliant,
talented and seemed destined to;make
his mark in the world of politics.
Through Lord Batllurst's influence,
who was in Lord Castlereagh's minis
try aud secretary of state for foreign
affairs, he was sent to Vienna early in
1909, as envoy extraordinary, on an
important secret mission to the court
of the Emperor Francis. The posi-
tion of Austria was at that time most
critical.
She had preserved strict neutrality
since the peace Of Presburgh, but her
relations in regard to France had sud-
denly become strained. Napoleon
was profoundly irritatel, and Bathurst
believed that the French emperor bore
him especial enmity and considered
his secret mission as an effort to incite
Austria into declaring war with
France.
So strongly had this idea taken pos
session Of Bathurst that, when his
mission was accomplished, he was
often heard to say that he believed
his life to be in danger and that Ma
poleon would prevent him ever get
ting back alive to England.
He hesitated long before turning
his face homeward and finally decided
to make his way to London by Berlin
and the north OF Germany. He. had
with him his private secretary and his
valet, and to escape observation he
assumed the name of Bach, while, in
the words of the story written soon
after his disappearance, she had pis.
tolls about his person and firearms in
the back of the carriage"
1t was the regular fashioned
chariot, with four horses and positions,
in which all the upper ten of those
days made their infreauent journeys,
and on November %. 1909. the cortege
arrived Mt Perleberg, 70,
town on the banks of tt 5ita
few miles from where th,
into the Elbe at Witter
the direct road from P
burg.
It may also be men
berg is only few
Magdeburg, garrison "a
by French troops.
Close to the post-hous g -.
elers changed horses, was small inn,
the White Swan, and this was close to
the gates aud high tower of the once
fortified little place. ..-,
Mr.. Bathurst Glued at tue White
Swan, giving orders that the horses
were not to be put in till he had dined.
Tt is curious to read how smart
young man of so years ago dressed
when he crossed Europe i'll that an
tiouated vehicle, q travelling carriage,
and it certainly gives moro reality to
those ghostly figures of. the past,if
we eau picture them in "the habit IN
which they lived"
Mr.. Bathurst wore light gray coat,
heavily braided and frogged, and panta-
looms, as they were then called, of the
same shade; his long fur (sablel coat
was lined throughout with violet vel
vet, and he had cap of the same fur.
In his scarf-one of chose .bulging vol.
luminous scarfs that eacircled our
grandfather's necks he had hand
some diamond pin. Hardly was din
ner over than Bathurst, hearing that
asouadron of the Bradenburg Cuiras-
siers was quartered at Per!eberg, under
the command of Captain Blitzging,
went to the barracks, asked to see the
commanding ofcer, and telling him
that he believed his life to be in the
greatest danger, requested a guard OF
eoldiers while he remained in town.
1t was noticed that he was profound
ly agitatel and that he trembled as he
spoke, and this ne explained by say
ing that he had that moment received
news that had greatly alarmed him.
Bliuzging laughed at his fears, but
consented to let him have couple OF
soldiers during his stay in Perleberg.
Mr.. Bathurst returned to the White
Swan, saying that he would not start
till late, as he considered it would be
safer to travel at nj ght, when Napo-
Icons spies would be less likely to be
on the alert. He remained in his
room in the inn writing letters and
burning papers till 9 o'clock, when the
carriage came around, and he dismissed
the soldiers on guard.
He stood at the door of the White
Swan watching his portmanteau being
replaced at the back Of the carriage.
He stepped round to the horses heads,
and then-then-just as if the ground
had opened under his feet and swal-
lowed him up, closing its Elf upon him
without leaving trace behind, he
disappeared and wasnever seen again!
1t must be borne in mind that the
time was-the-ead- of November, that it
was remarkably dark night and that
an old lantern swinging on rope that
crossed the street from one house to
another gave but a feeble glimmer,
and so did horn lantern in the hands
of an ostler.
The landlord, prepared.to speed the
parting guest, was in the doorway
talking to the secretary, who had just
paid The bill, but neither of them
seemed to have been paying any at,
tention to Bathurst's movements. The