Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-22
CLIMAX TO TRAGEDIES.
Death Of Francis Joseph Ends Career
Unparalleled in UnhapPiness.
fContinued from Page !.

In human interest the personal sor-
rows of the late Emperor Francis Jo-
seph OF Austria, oyershadowei al. one
after another they came upon him. In
1853 the list of tragic incidents Lesan
with an attempt upon his own LIE. IN
1851 his brother, the Archduke s.iaxml-
ian after three year experiment as EN-
peror of Mexico was captured by the
army of the patriots and condemned
to death by q court martial whose sem
tence was executed Notwithstanding
intercession IN his behalf by the gov
ernments OF the United States, Eng-
land and Prussia.
There followed the burning Of niece
in Vienna; sister met similar fate in
Paris; and q cousin drowned himself
in Stahrenberg lake. Yet these were
but minor tragedies in comparison with
that which befell the ancient house OF
the Hapsburgs in 1883 when Rudolf,
the imperial prince upon whom the
Austrians pinned their hopes, met
death in mystery which to this day
is not cleared.
Graves hold the secret Of that fate"
full night at hunting lodge in Meyer
ling. There have been dozen YER
sions of>>what occurred. One true
story" relates that the crown prince
was struck dead by Baltazzi, Hun
garian chevalier- who loved the Bar
oness Marie Vetsera and who was
frenzed by finding the girl and Prince
Rudolf together in the castle OF Meyer
ling after the crown prince had given
his pledge not to see the girl again.
Another that the crown prince killed
the uncle OF the young baroness when
he came to rescue her and that both OF
the young lovers afterward committed
suicide. The truth is not known.
Clouded in still deeper mystery, II
possible, was the disappearance that
same year Of Francis Joseph's favorlte
nephew, the Archduke Johann Saliva
tor. Heir to the throne at the death OF
Rudolph, he renowned all his Imperial
dignities and fed the country as John
Orth captain Of q merchant ship never
to be heard Of again. The next kin,
the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, who
became heir presunptive, added fur
Their burden to his uncle's heart by
morgantic marriage to Sophie, the
countess Of Chotek. 1t was he and his
wife who were assassinated at Saraje-
vo in June, 1914.
Removed Devotion to State.
But It is doubtful il any or all Of
these reverses weighed more heavily
upon the emperor's heart than the
tragedy at Geneva, when the Empress
Elizabeth. who had been called the
most beautiful woman in Europe. was
stabbed to death by mad Italian an
arci1ist, in 1898. True, she long had
been estranged from the emperor, but
he had never ceased to respect and
adore her When courier brought
him the news OF the crime he exclaim-
\ ed: Alas, nothing can be spared me,
nothing"
After each blow he renewed his de-
Iyotion to the state. his only solace be-
/ ing in, harder work. He labored pro-
digiousiy. He was beloved for his
1 kindliness, his modesty, and rectitude
and his high moral courage made Il
possible for him to hold In leash the
Czechs, the Poles the Serbs. the Ru-
thenians and the Bulgars. who made
up the mosaic Of nationalties In his
dual empire. I,
deal. h- Pr.
lyate life, filed with romance and mis-