The Washington times., 1908-10-02
Countess Personal Effects
Go Under Hammer to Sat-
isfy Many Creditors.
$4,OOO,OOO ESTATE
IS SAID TO BE GONE
2Woman Well Known in Washing
ton, Watches Auctioneer Sell
$500 Bokhara Rug for S1.50.

NEW YORK, Oct. ITO the dron-
.Rney sound of the voice Of the auc-
4foneer as he struck his hammer, say
ing. sold for a dollar and a hail.
the Countess NJ. G. Seckendorf saw
a $500 BOkhara rug pass from her
possession into the hands of another.
This was but one Of the features OF
the sale Of the countess household and
personal effects. which is being made tc
satisfy the claims Of creditors Five
~ years ago the countess, then the widow
OF John o. DOnner, came into an estate
OF 4.OOO.OOO Today, according to her
creditors the last vestige OF her fortune
IS gone. and she is in debt 10 the sun
OF 100000.
The countess, who, not many years
ago bedecked herself with diamonds,
gave sumptuOus banquets 20 persons
whose names are familiar throughout
the country, and maintained country
homes and stables in several cities and
towns, stood IN the beautiful mansion
known as ''Ramapo Farm at Hobo
kus, n. J., and saw picture worth
5000 sold for SIS. She saw the con-
tents OF her bOudOir disposed Of for
$4,000 to satisfy the claims Of creditors.
who declare that the countess has gone
through her immense fortune because
Of her alleged extravagances.
Rich Rugs Sold.
Rich rugs, tapestries and furniture
purchased by her first husband, John o.
DOnner, treasurer Of the Havemeyer
suga- concern, were sold by James T..
Slo and August W. Clark, the New
York auCtioneers. Three attempts had
been made in the past by attorneys for
friends and creditors o. the woman TO
coTn Cn IA a.
be freed from debt The sale viii con-
tinue for two days more. there being
I.s9I articles TO be disposed of.
The beautiful home in which the sale
began yesterday IS one of the show
places Of Bergen county, y. J. There
are so acres on the estate, which IS
overshadowed by the Ramapo noun
taIns. There are numerous little streams
and waterfalls on the grounds, and until
about a year ago everything was spick
md span Now. 1t is believed. the
IIavemeyers and other wealthy residents
CT the section will have other neighbors
on the estate than the count, who claims
relationship with Kaiser Wilhelm
Said to Owe 100000.
It is said that the countess owes about
100000, although the figure has not been
authoritativeIy announced
Some years ago Miss Julia DAVIDSON
the present countess, entered the en-
ploy of Mrs. John o. DOnner as maid.
-Eha Donners had a daughter named
Elsie, and Miss Davidson cared for the
child. About six years ago Mrs bonner
- died and DOnner married Miss DAVID
son. Immediately the house became the
. center Of social life among the wealthy
. Deople of the district. Servants seemed
EVERYWHERE, and the news Mrs. Donner
began to enjoy life to the utmost Her
millionaire husband was devoted 10 her'
3 and his affection was returned Elsie,
Z Donners daughter, still lived on the es-
tate.
After Donner's death five years ago.
. Mrs. Donner came into the great for
, tune She went 10 Washington ana
mingled with the fashionable set there,
{ meeting the count, who captured her
. heart After the wedding the couple
l purchased a tract Of land IN the South,
: established a residence in Washington
and began the career Of entertaining
which now IS believed to have come TO
an end
Friends Of Count and Countess NJ G.
Seckendorf as they were known, took
LEGAL steps 70 have the alleged eNtTaVa-
gances OF the pair stopped. but not until
Rfchard Boardman, the New York law
Yer. was appointed receiver could yes
terday's action be taken.