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| Empress Elisabeth of Austria. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, September 12, 1898.
ALL AUSTRIA MOURNS.
Further Particulars of the Assassination of the Empress.
THE WEAPON WAS A FILE.
It Has Not Been Found but the Assassin Confesses to Have Used It—Funeral Arrangements —The Body Will Be Buried at Vienna on Saturday Next.
GENEVA, Switzerland. Sept. 12.—More complete details of the assassination of Elisabeth, empress of Austria, have been obtained. The empress was walking from the Hotel Beaurivage, where she had been lunching, to the steamboat dock where she intended taking a small steamer to go to the castle Chillon at Territet. She was accompanied only by some ladies of her suite, as she delighted to go about incognito.
As the empress was passing the Brunswick monument a man rushed at her and struck her a violent blow in the chest, which knocked her to the ground. The ladies of her suite picked her up and with the aid of some persons near by carried her to the boat, while her assailant ran away. The empress was unconscious and the captain of the steamer did not wish to start, but on the insistence of the ladies in attendance, who thought the empress had only been rudely knocked down, he put the steamer under way. After endeavoring for some time to bring the empress back to consciousness the ladies in attendance were horrified to discover a little stain of blood on her under garment. The boat was at once put about and returned to the dock.
The empress was carried on an improvised litter to the hotel. Dr. Golay and the mayor were called, but her majesty died within a very short time. An examination showed that she had been stabbed to the heart with a three-cornered stiletto.
After dealing his death blow the assassin ran along the Rue Alps, but was caught by two coachmen who handed him over to the gendarme. He proved to be an Italian anarchist named Luccheni from Paris. When arrested he exclaimed: "I have struck well. She must be dead. I purposely came to Geneva to assassinate her."
Interrogated in the police station, the prisoner said: "Who am I? I am an anarchist—a starving anarchist!"
"Ah, then, you hate mankind," exclaimed the commissary.
"No," was the reply. "I have no hatred for the poor—only for the rich." After that he became less loquacious.
Only by documents found in his pockets was his name learned. These showed too, that he was born in Paris of Italian parents in 1873, and served in the Italian army. The assassin, while being interrogated by the magistrate, said he came to Geneva with the intention of killing the Dus d'Orleans, but the latter had already left. Luccesi (or Luccheni) followed the duke to Evian, about 25 miles northeast of Geneva on the lake where he was again unsuccessful.
He then returned to Geneva and learned from the papers of the presence of the Austrian empress. Friday he dogged her footsteps, but found no opportunity to carry out his purposes, though he watched the Hotel Beaurivage all day. Saturday afternoon about 1:30 o'clock he said he saw the valet of the empress leaving the hotel and going toward the landing. He inferred from this that the empress was going to take the steamboat, and he hid himself behind a tree on the quay with a file concealed in his right sleeve. In a few minutes the empress, accompanied by her lady of honor, appeared and the assassin struck the file home.
Luccesi confessed that he has been an anarchist since he was 13 years old. "If all the anarchists did their duty as I have done mine," he said, "bourgeois society would soon disappear." He admitted that he knew the crime was useless, but said he committed it for the sake of example."
In spite of minute searching, the weapon of the murderer has not been found. The Genevan police had no notice of the visit of the empress to the city.
There is no capital punishment in the Swiss code. Even for killing an empress, Luccheni cannot, under the laws of this republic, suffer anything more severe than a lifetime imprisonment. The question will be decided at an extraordinary federal council to be held at Berne.
PIERCED THE HEART
And Then Her Majesty Walked Fifty Yards to the Steamer.
GENEVA, Switzerland, Sept. 12.—The post mortem examination of the remains of the late Empress of Austria who was assassinated on Saturday last by an Italian anarchist, whose name has been variously given as Lacchoni, Luchesi and Luigini, has revealed that the weapon completely transfixed the heart, penetrating 3 1/2 inches and making a wound 1/6 of an inch wide. The fact that her majesty walked fifty yards to the steamer is ascribed to her remarkable will and natural energy.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Empress of Austria.
The assassination of the Empress of Austria at Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday by an Italian anarchist was as purposeless, as unprovoked, as dastardly and as horrible a deed as any ever recorded in the world's criminal history. Although the helpless victim was the wife of a monarch, and was thus representative of a system of government against which anarchy has particularly raised its hand, on the ground that monarchical rule of necessity stands in the way of the inalienable rights of mankind, there was probably no royal person of her prominence in the whole world who had so little to do with public affairs as Empress Elisabeth. In fact, she had shown a democratic disregard for those functions and observances which are considered the imperative duties of royalty.
For years she has gone about practically unattended. She had a horror for the shams and conventionalities of court life. Affairs of state had little attraction for her. Her pleasures were those of a highly educated woman. She took delight in the learning of languages, in literature, in music, in art, in travel and in outdoor recreation. In spite of her phenomenal beauty and of the hostility that encompassed her in Vienna during much of her married life, not the faintest suspicion of scandal ever sullied her name. Instead of lending her influence to oppress her subjects, as others in her position had done, she sought to ameliorate their condition as best she could. Moreover, she was the wife of a man who is to-day as much loved by his people as any monarch in Europe. And yet such a woman has been sacrificed to the hatred of anarchism toward all forms of government, law and society.
Empress Elisabeth Amelia Eugenie was born in Batavia on Dec. 24, 1837. Her father was the Duke Maximilian Joseph of Batavia. She was the second of five daughters, the eldest of whom became the Princess of Thur and Taxis, the third the Queen of Naples, the fourth, the Countess de Trautt, marrying a brother of the King of Naples, and the fifth, the Duchess d'Alencon, who perished in the charity bazaar fire in Paris. Archduchess Sophia of Austria had decided that her son, Emperor Franz Josef, should marry Princess Helena, the eldest daughter of Duke Maximilian of Bavaria. He agreed, but when he went after his bride he met her sister Elisabeth, then about 17 years old. He fell violently in love with her at sight. On finding out that she, too, was a daughter of the duke, he insisted that she should be his wife, and had his will in spite of his mother's objections. The couple were married on April 24, 1854.
The young empress was received coldly by her mother-in-law and by the court at Vienna. She found the etiquette and ceremonial irksome after the open-air life to which she had been accustomed, and never became reconciled to it. It was a long time before she succeeded in overcoming the prejudices of her husband's family, and some of the most exclusive and proudest of the Austrian nobility, and during the early years of her marriage she was confronted by social conditions which tried her sorely. It is said that she never forgave the slights which were then offered her, but avenged herself to the full, when her position had been more firmly established, upon all who had disputed her authority or wounded her dignity. Her disinclination to submit to formalities increased in later life, so that in recent years she had rarely appeared at any court functions. She preferred Budapest and Hungary, where the restrictions were not so great, to Vienna. As a result, she was never popular in the Austrian capital.
The empress bore her husband four children, of whom two daughters are now living, the Archduchess Gisela, married to Prince Leopold, second son of the prince regent of Bavaria, and the Archduchess Valerie, married to Archduke Franz Salvator of the Tuscany branch of the Hapsburgs. Her first child, a daughter, died at the age of 2 years at Budapest, and with her death the empress' marked avoidance of society is said to have first become noticeable.
The only son of the empress was Archduke Rudolf, the crown prince. He married Princess Stephanie, daughter of the King of Belgium. On Jan. 30, Rudolf's dead body was found in a hunting lodge at Meyerling. At his side was the dead body of the young and handsome Austrian Baroness Maria Vetsera. A great deal of mystery was thrown about the affair. The Austrian court gave out a story that suited it, but the most probable and generally accepted theory was that the crown prince was murdered and that the crime grew out of the intrigue with the handsome baroness. Shortly after the death of the crown prince one of his intimate friends, Archduke John, a member of the Tuscan branch of the imperial family, renounced all his rights as a member of the royal house with all his titles, assumed the name of John Orth, married an actress, and sailed for South America as the master of a sailing vessel. It is supposed that his ship was wrecked and that all on board were lost.
After the death of Crown Prince Rudolf, Empress Elizabeth withdrew still more from public life, and sought to drown her grief by constant travel. She would wear nothing but black, and absolutely declined to take part in any kind of festivities, her aversion to the Crown Princess Stephanie being very naturally increased by the lack of delicacy which the latter had displayed in long ago casting her weeds to the winds and becoming renowned as the friskiest of royal widows.
The one to whom the death of the empress will be the severest blow is the now aged emperor, Francis Josef. Rarely has a sovereign had so many family afflictions, in addition to serious troubles of government. A brother was the ill-fated Maximilian, who was shot by his conquerors in Mexico. The only son was murdered after an intrigue. A sister-in-law perished in the Paris fire. And now the wife has been assassinated by a fiend in human shape.
NIAGARA FALLS EXCURSION.
Five Thousand People Take Advantage of the Lehigh Valley's Low Rates.
Sunday was a great day on the Lehigh Valley railroad. An excursion at marvelously low rates was run to Niagara Falls from all points north of Sayre. And it was a great day too at the Falls, for the people there said that the excursion was the largest which had visited the place during the season. It was said that there were over 5,000 people on the five sections of the train. The rate from Cortland was only $1.50 and 336 people took advantage of it, and as a result there were anxious watchers in nearly every house in town last night waiting for the return of the excursionists. They were expected to get home before midnight, but as a matter of fact the first contingent did not arrive till about 8 o'clock this morning and visions of horrible accidents and of killed and wounded friends flitted before the minds of thousands of people along the Lehigh route. But they were only visions, and like most dreams, were simply contraries, for so far as known not an accident of any kind occurred.
The day was a perfect one in every respect. The air was cool and delightful for traveling, and yet not too cool for comfort when the party arrived at its destination.
The Cortland train of eight coaches left soon after 6 o'clock Sunday morning with 336 passengers on board, and others were picked up all the way to Van Etten. At that point six more coaches were hooked on and then, going down to Van Etten Junction a mile below, the train proceeded over the main line directly westward. The run along Seneca lake is a beautiful one and many were the exclamations of delight at the views, which were strange to a majority of the Cortland passengers at least, for the most of them who have heretofore gone west over the Lehigh have gone over the Ithaca division directly to Geneva.
All the trains were heavily loaded and required an additional engine to help them up the Batavia grades. It was 2:30 when the Cortland train reached the Falls. It had been expected that they would get in about noon, and as the stay there was so shortened it was hoped that the train would not start back as soon as scheduled, but the conductor said that he had no orders to mention any other time than that previously stated, 5 o'clock. As a result the trip about the place had to be modified, and all were back on time, but when they arrived at the station they found bulletins displayed stating that the five sections would start at intervals of ten minutes beginning at 7:30 o'clock in the following order: First, Geneva and Seneca Falls; second, Ithaca; third, Cortland and Elmira; fourth, Auburn; fifth, Sayre. In consequence, nearly every one went back to continue his sightseeing.
But when they came back to start for home there was a perfect mob of people at the station. Everybody wanted to get upon the first train regardless of its destination, and the second was just as bad, and probably the third likewise. In vain did the train men make announcements and try to get only those upon a train who belonged there. All wanted to go, seeming to fear that they could not get home at all unless they went on the first train. And people who should have gone on the earlier trains got left till the later ones, and this caused additional delays about their reaching their final destinations, for they had to leave the excursion trains at some points if their own train had gone on ahead and wait for regular trains to get them home.
The Lehigh Valley road was taxed hard to secure passenger coaches enough for the crowd. They hired them from other roads in large numbers. The second section to leave the Falls had but one Lehigh coach on the train, but was made up of Rochester & Pittsburg, Baltimore & Ohio, Lake Shore and Pennsylvania coaches. The first section contained fourteen coaches, the second fifteen, the third fourteen, and the fourth and fifth were said to have had about the same number each. If so, that would make seventy-one coaches in the service, all told. When the trains went out to the Falls every passenger had a seat, though the cars were full, but the earlier trains to leave on the return were crowded with standing passengers. The last ones doubtless had seats in plenty as a result.
The Cortland section which was the third to leave got away at 8:20, a half hour behind bulletined time. Geneva was reached soon after 1 o'clock and here the sifting process began to get off the train those who belonged on other trains behind. The train stayed here over an hour to wait for the arrival of the next section behind it to secure those who should go on this train. It was after 5 o'clock when Van Etten was reached, and then there was another wait. About 6 o'clock the start was made for the last run home, and the train reached Cortland at about 8 o'clock with a tired load of passengers on board. Those who failed to connect anywhere with this train followed on regular trains.
THE DRYDEN FAIR.
Round Trip Rate from Cortland of Fifty Cents—Many Attractions.
The Dryden fair occurs next week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 20, 21 and 22. A round trip rate of 50 cents has been secured from Cortland over the Lehigh Valley R. R. Trains connect through without delay at Freeville in the morning going and in the evening returning. The accommodations for the crowd this year are better than ever and the attractions are greater. The grandstand has been enlarged and is now 180 feet long by 24 feet wide and will seat 1,800 people. The eatinghouse has been enlarged and the Presbyterian society, which is to furnish meals, will be able to seat 150 people at the tables at a time.
The trap shooting contest on Wednesday at 11 A. M. is creating an unusual amount of interest again this year. The contests will be between teams of six men each from the counties of Tioga, Cayuga, Cortland and Tompkins. Each contestant must be a bona fide resident of the county his team represents. Four or more teams must enter or there will be no contest. All professionals or representatives of gun or ammunition firms will be barred. Contests will be twenty-five inanimate targets per man; unknown trap, known angles; six men up. American association rules to govern, excepting as to '10 gauge guns which will be allowed to shoot at sixteen yards. The prizes are handsome pieces of table silver. Optional sweepstake shooting will follow till night if desired.
The Gillette Skirt Co., of Cortland, N. Y., offers Gillette Paris skirt made from royal stripe material, to the lady guessing nearest to the number of tickets sold at the grandstand during the fair. Guess to be made at the Skirt Co's. exhibit in annex.
Champion Milk Cooler Co., Cortland, N. Y., offers No. 2 Aerator valued at $7 for the best dairy pound prints.
The society offers a skirt, manufactured by Mrs. G. T. Chatterton of Cortland, valued at $3.50, for best display bakestuffs. This offer in place of society premium of $2.
Shepard, dry goods, carpet, cloak and millinery dealer, Cortland, N. Y., offers a $20 jacket or cape to the lady who will bring or send to the Dryden fair the largest pumpkin. Size to be determined by its weight. Each pumpkin will be numbered at the time the entry is made, entries free to all. All entries must be made before noon of the second day, weighing to take place at 4 P. M. the last day. Responsible parties will have the matter in charge. The cape and jacket can be seen at their booth on the grounds.
Every booth on the grounds was taken a long time ago and now all further exhibits will be made in tents on the grounds.
The society offers a top buggy valued at $65 for the best team of carriage horses or mares exhibited owned by the exhibitor. This liberal offer promises to make the competition sharp along this line.
Each year shows a large increase in the number of exhibits and an improvement in the quality of the work shown in the school department, and this year it promises to be unusually fine. Let every one get ready to go next week, for after the storms of the past month the weather must be fine and the exhibit will surely prove worth seeing.
BREVITIES.
—The Normal school will reopen Wednesday morning of this week.
—The extensive repairs on the Wickwire roller flour mill on Clinton-ave. are rapidly nearing completion.
—Everybody went to Niagara Falls yesterday and there were only five to take in the Sylvan Beach excursion yesterday.
—The sixteenth annual reunion of the Twenty-third regiment, N. Y. Vols., will be held at the armory at Elmira on Saturday, Sept. 17.
—An important meeting of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. will be held in the association rooms to-night at 8 o'clock. A full attendance is desired.
—The Christian Endeavor society of the Congregational church will hold a reception for the students Saturday evening, Sept. 17. Further notice will be given later.
—The University Center meets to-night at 8 o'clock at the Normal building and Dr. F. J. Cheney will be the leader. The beginnings of Roman history will be the subject for discussion.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Baker & Angell, Ask Your Feet, page 8, Stowell, Sale Continued, page 7; A. S. Burgess, Men's Fall Suite, page 8; Opera House, The Great Flint, and Pickert's Comedians, page 5,
—Ellen Beatrice Neary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Neary, died Saturday afternoon at the age of 7 months from cholera infantum. The funeral was held from their residence, 12 Tompkins-st. this morning, and the remains were taken to Groton for burial.
—Beginning Monday, Sept. 12, trains Nos. 111 and 146 are discontinued between Canastota and Camden. These are the trains leaving Cortland at 6:30 A. M. for the north and arriving at Cortland from the north at 3:17 P. M. The Sunday service on trains Nos. 900 and 903 is also discontinued..
—The Syracuse Herald, speaking of Syracuse university's football team for this year, says: "The elected captain is the well-known tackle, Harry A., Oday, at present a corporal in the Third New York Volunteer regiment, soon to be mustered out of service. If Oday returns to college he will probably assume the control of the team again this fall."
—Mrs. Mary Ann Middaugh, aged 73 years, 3 months and 10 days, died Sunday morning at her home, 14 Prospect-st., from the effects of a shock. The funeral occurs at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning, and interment will take place at her former home at Ellis, Tompkins county. She had lived so long in Cortland that she was very widely known and highly esteemed here.
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