New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-08-30
CRAZY KING LOUIS
His Part in the Pitiful Tragedy
at Lake Stranberg.
SLEW HIS FRIEND AND DIED.

Tho Mad 6avarian Monarch Seat
Faithful Or. Won Gudden to Death
Before Heart Disease Stopped His
Own Dasi, For Liberty.
For months preceding the tragedy
on June 10. 1886, that ended bis life
King Louis II. of Bavaria had re-
vealed many unmistakable signs OF
mental arrangement. He heard mys-
terious voices in the air around him
and believed that he was constantly
pursued by dangerous enemies. He
withdrew entirely from the world. bis
cabinet ministers were unable to OBJ
tain access to him, and his domestic
servants were forbidden to look at his
face, being compelled to approach him
with averted eyes. The old valet
Meier was obliged to don a mask to
cover his features whenever he went
near the king, and many other strange
things happened at the magnificent
palace which Louis had built for him
self with reckless extravaganza.
Wearing his crown and purple royal
mantle. with the scepter Of sovereign
ty in his hand, King Louis would wan
der through the rooms Of his castles
ut night, conversing with imaginary
guests, for the most part with the
ghosts of King Louis XIV. of France
and Queen Marie Antoinette Ere
quently places were laid at his table
for their disembodied spirits.
The kings debts brought matters to
a crisis and necessitated the interven-
ton of the Bavarian government. Most
Of the royal liabilities had been con-
tracted through the construction and
decoration Of the famous three castles.
and several creditors threatened to in
1tiate proceedings to recover their
money. King Louis requested the gov
eminent to introduce bill in the Ba-
varian legislature granting bis prop
erty immunity from seizure for debts.
and when his ministers refused this
demand he tried to bor-
row money from all sorts and condi-
tons Of people.
In April, 1885, the Bavarian chamber
refused to sanction the payment Of the
kings debts from the public treasury.
and few days later the cabinet ad-
dressed a respectful petition to Louis
10 curtail his expenditures. King Louis
by Diminishing the whole
.abinet and nominating a new minis
ry, at the head Of which he placed his
,wn barber.
This irresponsible act brought mat
ers to head. A commission Of med
cal experts. under the presidency Of
Dr.. Won Gudden. pronounced the king
o he incurab!y insane and incapable
If ruling. and Il deputation under
Baron Won Crailsheim was dispatched
rom Munich to the castle where Louis
vas in residence to inform his majesty
If his det!lronement. The king hnG
Barren Won Cralsheim and all the
members of the doputation arrested.
Thcn DR.. Won Gudden proceeded to
Seusc Lwanstein castle. where to ali
outward appearances he succeeded in
the king to submit to his
dethronement and to retire to Berg
castle. near the shores of Lake Stan
berg, where the final tragedy was en-
acted The king was escorted to Berg
castle by Dr. Won Gudden. another
medical man, DR.. Mueller. and several
trained attendants. and he seemed to |
acquiesce in the arrangement that he |
should remain there for a year under
close supervision.
DR.. Won Gudden, misled by appear
ances. telegraphed to Munich that his