The New York herald., 1922-09-03
Sentenced in Belgium, but
One Is Dead, Other Has
Disappeared.
A TRAGEDY OF THE WAR
Crime Started by Filtration in
! Castle Where They Were
y Billeted.

lspeciot Cable to THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1879, by THE NEW YORK HERALD
BRUSSELS, Sept. "Details OF the
sensational murder Of a wealthy Bel
kian nobleman by two German army
officers. one of them Prince, were
brought to light in the trial OF the TWO
men by Belgian court in Client,
which has resulted in death sentences
being imposed on the two culprits.
} When the war broke out Count
d'Udefem d'Acoz a very wealthy Bel
sian, lived in his CASTLE Ruddervoorde.
near Brugge. When the Germans in
yaded the territory the staff of one OF
the Kaiser's crack regiments of Uhlans
OF the Guards cavalry division made
Its headquarters in the beautiful
castle of the Count.
Among the officers was Baron Frei-
herr Kickoff Won Gagern, handsome
young officer, who soon started a hirta-
ton with Countess d'Acoz, wife OF the
owner of the castle. With the Countess
this became a genuine love affair." pus
the German officer was prompted In his
advances by more sinister motive lie
wanted to gain possession. OF the counts
estate and wealth. AS neither a d.
-vorce which would have been difhcuit
TO obtain, nor an elopement would have
answered his purpose Won Gagern de
cided to get rid OF the Count. He
would do 1t in neat way. by forcing
the Count to fight a duel. duel In
which the unsuspecting husband would
never have chance.
Provoking His Host.
Before he could carry out his plans
the headquarters of the regiment, whicn
had been in the Counts castle from
December, 1914, until March. 1915, was
transferred to Limburg. There Won
Gagern told n fellow officer that the
Count had insulted him and asked the
officer to act as, his second in a duel
Ia which he was about to challenge the
Count. When this man refused Won
Gagcrn sought out the easy goiny
Prince Won Stolberg- -Rossla. who agreed
readily without even asking what the
quarrel was about.
Accordingly on the morning or May
o5. 1915. the two men. and a chauffeur
set out for tho Counts castle about loo
miles distant. With proper foresight
Won Gagern placed two. spades In the
automobile before leaving.
Arriving Mt the castle Won Gagern
fold Count d'Acoz that Duke Albrecht
Won Wurtemberg, commander OF the
fourth army. with headquarters at Thieit,
" ould like TO confer with hin, on an I'M
portant matter. The Count reaaiiy
pvrced to 20. The automobile was driven
along a road leading into thick forest.
where Won Gagern suddenly announced
A. the Count that one of them must die
and that the only way TO settle II was
by duel.
The Count refused. but Won Gagern
forced him out OF the car and pressing
a revolver into his hand told him to be
or his guard. for after the count or
three he would shoot whether the Bel
gan nobleman was ready or not Won
Gagern had the reputation OF being the
best shot In his regiment, and the re-
yolver he forced upon the Count was
loaded. bu. 1t was fixed" and could
not be discharged.
Burying His Victim.
Won Gagern measured off fifteen
paces, told Prince Stolbcrg-Rossla to go
hack TO the automobile after the spades,
and raising his revolver began TO count.
The Belgian, horror stricken, tried to
plead with his assassin. but at the
count of three Won Gagern fired and
the Belgian fell with bullet hole
scious. but realizing that he WAS about
to be murdered. made a last plea,
assuring the German on his oath that he
would not reveal how he came TO be
wounded II the German would spare
him. But Won Gagern placed the re-
Nolver at the Counts temple and fired.
BY this time the Prince had returned
with the spades and the two dug a
! shallow grave into which they threw the
body Of the Count Neither Won Gagern
nor the Prince was suspected until two
wears later through the accidental find
ing OF the body. Then Won Gagerns talk
about a duel was recalled and he and the
Prince were tried by German court
martial. Won Gagern was convicted of
manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen
years at hard labor. But during ths
German revolution he was freed and left
the country.
Prince Stolberg Rossla was sentence
TO confinement In a German fortress TO-.
elk months. but was never compelled 10
serve his term. possibly because he was
needed as soldier. Shortly before the
close OF the war he was severely wound
ed and in 1920 he died. Now the two.
ono OF whom is already dead and tho
other probably out of reach OF the law.
have been sentenced 20 death, In con-
tumacy. by the Belgian court because
the crime was committed in that country.