The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-04
DESTITUTE
DAMMANN
A SUICIDE.
Exllad Officer Of German Army
Kills Himself at Mime
apoNs.

Milwaukee. Feb. 4.--Too proud TO In
form his wealthy daughter of his strait
ened circumstances. Carl Dammann Sat
urday leaned against a tree on the coun-
try estate OF capt Frederick Pabst. near
this city. and sent a bullet into his
right temple.
His daughter is the Baroness Ellen Won
Schmidt, wife of an officer OF high rank
in the German army. and her well-hlled
purse would have been gladly opened 20
relieve her fathers needs had she but
known his difficulties.
The revolver which ended Dammann's
life was one he had carried with honor
as a captain i'm the forces OF the Kaiser.
Dammann's downfall dates from an al
tentative which either way he chose
meant dishonor and Disgrace Two years
ago he was regarded as one OF the best
oI1icers In the regiment stationed at Zit-
tau, SaxoAy.
lie had had a university education.
and had been trained In the use OF the
sword from boyhood
Affairs OF honor" had In his experience
always been settled by the use of this
weapOn, whether in college or the army.
mon. declared the Kaiser, and he deter
mined 10 stamp II out one night Capt.
Dammann was engaged in a game of
cards with his brother officers. Perhaps
the glasses at the table played as i'm
portant a part as the cards.
Flushed by wine and interest In the
contest, a dispute arose. Warm words
went back and forth. y challenge fol-
lowed and Capt Dammann was the chal-
NO, - obi h4I
just been issued and Dammann, wealthy
brave and loyal, had always been regard
ed as one of his most dutiful subjects.
Here was the alternative. TO accept
would be TO meet the displeasure OF the
emperor with all that that entails. Re-
fusal meant being branded as coward
under the army code. lie chose the
former and today his friends still say he
selected the course of honor.
In the affray which followed the chal-
lenger was badly wounded. The affair
was not kept secret. as had been hoped.
The story OF the duel came 10 the ears
of the Kaiser, and he ordered the offend
ing officer 10 he banished For ten years,
together with a forfeiture Of rank.
Capt Dammann came TO this country
then and engaged in the sale or drugs.
For time all went well. He had stil
some money which was saved from the
OF most of his estates, and this he spent
lavishly.
Last fall he lost his position. When
his, money gave out his jewels, including
some valuable medals, were sold at a
sacrifice His daughter. supposing he still
had plenty, constantly remembered him
with trnkets and wrote frequently,
though she sent him no money.
Dammann. who had lived here in lux
ury since November, 1899. moved from
his expensive lodgings in Ninteenth street
TO the downtown district Meanwhile his
daughter was living in luxury. Shortly
before he was banshed she had married
the Baron Paul Won Schmidt. captain
i'm the Royal Guards AT Berlin. but the
esiled captain was too sensitive to let
them know his trouble
on Thursday night he was sitting in
game OF cards with "a coterie Of German
friends and the party dispersed at little
after midnight. Standing on the street
corner before bidding goodnight he said
to one Of the party: 'I am tired of the
whole thing What use is IL to live? /
am going TO end il ALL" And he did.