The Washington herald., 1908-04-26

London. March 7--When Franz Won
Veltheim. as he called himself, was found
guilty at the Old Bailey OF demanding
$4,000 Of Sol Joel, under threat of murder
for refusal, and was sentenced to twenty
years penal servitude. one of the most
adventurous careers ever written into po-
lice history was given pause. Once be-
fore Won Veltheim had figured in a most
sensational trial, when. at johannesburg.
he was arraigned for the murder Of
Woolf Joel, but was acquitted; and such
a hold did the man have on a maudlin
hero-worshiping public that he was car
ried shoulder high from the dock on that
occasion.
Won Veltheim's career was in part
played in America, where he so cleverly
ingratiated himself into the condolences Of
those in authority at Washington that at
one time he was In the consular service
He principally praeticed his knaveries on
women, marrying right and left, either
legally or by mock ceremony. when
money was to be obtained from the TOO
conhding creatures upon whom he preyed.
Fifty years old. Won veltheim, whose
real name was Karl Frederic MoritZ Lud-
wig Kurtze and who was a native Of ALI
hause. Brunswick had roamed lve conti-
nents in his career of adventure, which.
according 10 the researches Of the police,
partook by turns of the nature OF hber-
tine, desperate, mere adventurer. and
gentleman.
He lived up to his reputation 10 the last
moment. He did not crlnge or whine or
plead for mercy. He lowered high in the
dock. and tried 10 make the judge see his
point of view. He did not descend TO vul-
gar abuse: he did not even shout hut his
great voice throbhed and echoed In the
COurt-the voice OF man claiming free
dom before the prison gates shut him
from the world IL was said ne menaced.
But after the sentence he was silent.
Just before the final scene a police in
spector laid bare for the first time the
true story of Won Veitheim's life-a rec
ord of crime. bloodshed. intrigue many
marriages, and amazing adventure.
His Career EpitOmized.
He had. said the Inspector. passed un-
der the names of Carl Kurt. Louis Wer-
der. Kurtze. Franz Won Veltheim. Baron
Won Veltheim. Capt. Jackson, Louis Plat
ten, and Capt Vincent.
He had married Miss Marie Yearsley, al
Perth, Australia, in 1856; Miss Paula
Schiller, Of Dresden, at the st. Giles reg
istrv Office In 1895; Miss Marie Mavrogor-
dato Greek. at the Kensington registry
office in 1897: woman belonging TO
Capri Italy. in South Dakota in 1904, and
q Young American woman at st. Cloud.
4 number of other women had been de-
ceived by him.
Among his occupations had been those
of sailor on merchant ships, sailor In the
German navy. agent for a steamship com
panv. agent for a railway company. agent
for a brewery, United States consul. Sc
cret service spy, manager Of a wharf
soldier in Bulgaria. and soldier In South
Africa
The countries in which his adventurous
life had been lived included Germany
England, Australia, United States, France.
Bulgaria. Italy, South Africa, South
America, and West Africa
II was a story such as has seldom been
told in court or in fiction, although II was
but an outline Of his career.
ID TO the close Of his trial the story OF
Won Yeltheims life was not known to the
public. The amazing record was brought
to light by Detective Inspector Benton
who went into the box as q witness and
read his long history OF trickery and
crime from a mass of closely written
foolscap. It seemed that the ends OF the
earth had been searched for he threads
OF the tale, and they had all been gath
cred I'D into such a romance that every
one marveled that such adventures could
have been crowded into the life OF mar
who IS only fifty years old.
Won Veltheim was obviously staggered
at the revelations.
What Police Unearthed.
His real name is Karl Frederic Moritz
Ludwig Kurtze. He was born on Decem
Der 4, 1857. at AlIhusen, in Brunswick
From 1883 to 1856 he served on board
several British ships in different parts Of
the world. and In the interval he went t.
Neustadt. where he passed himself of a!
a British naval captain, assuming the
name of Oliver Jackson.
In 1856 he went 10 Fremantle, Australia
and then to Perth Western Australia
where he assumed the name Of Won Welt
helm. There he met lady named Marie
Yearsley, who he married at Perth II
that year-1SS6
wife came 10 England in the following
year On the voyage to England she me
a man. She lived in WestbOuTne Grov,
when she arrived in England.
Later Won Velthein came to Englan,
and attempted to blackmail the MAJ
whom his wife had met. He denance'
e2000, but agreed 10 accept G750 He wa
told that the police had been communi
Gated with in the matter but he con
tinued 10 write threatening letters Of
blackmailing character.
IN 1855 he went to America and oh
taned a situation IN New Orleans unde
the Colombo Shipping Company. He wa
sent by this company as an agent 4
Santa Marta. Colombo where he acted a
agent. and also as agent for d brewery.
Then he visited Europe. the detectiv
continued, and went TO Hasselfeldt, wher
he was one day recognized as Kurtze b,
a person whom he persuaded not to be
tray him.
In September he advertised Ter a wifi
and was answered by Miss ScRiffer. VIII
lived at Dresden. He went back to Santl
Marta, where he was consular agent 70
the United States.
In 1885 he left there with, Il was al
legged, 5000 belonging 10 the brewer,
company for which he was agent. Il
1895 he came TO England with his wifi
and stayed at the Hotel Metropole
His English Marriages.
Then he went to Germany and me
Miss Schiller. with whom he had beel
communicating. He was introduced L
her parents. but they refused to let hin
marry her. He persuaded her to MARI.
him secretly. and obtained $500 from he
IN order 10 start q business.
They came to England and took room
at a boarding house in Cover street o.
May 6, 1896 he married her at the dIstric
registry Office for St Giles, giving th
name of Carl Ludwig Francois Won Welt
helm. Il came to Miss Schiffer's lnowl