Female Ishmael.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 April 1910, Page 4

Female Ishmael.

. —« — GARRISON TOWN LIFE. MAJOR SHOT BY IHS RIVAL. Memories of a sensational crime, perpetrated on Christmas Day, 1907, are recalled hy tlio appearance in the "Berliner Alittag Zeitung" of the life story of Fran Weher, formerly Fran von Seliocnheck. Fran Weber's first hushand, .Major von Schoenelieck, was murdered under particularly .atrocious circumstances in the garrison town of Allensteiu hy Captain von Goeben, a hrotlier ollicer, who afterwards committed suicide in gaol. Fran von Schoenelieck speiiit a year in an insane asylum, and after her release wandered ahout the world, to use her own expression, "like Ishmael." Quite recently .she was secretly married in Londoni to ITerr Weber, a Berlin author. Ilerr Weher has just challenged to a duel a member of the Prussian Diet, who asked tlio Minister of Justice why the prosecution of Fran Sehoenebeok-Weber was dropped. The deputy promises a public apology. Tn her statement Fran Weber •says:— _ "It is terribly difficult lor me to speak about the Allensteiu drama. Often, during the last two years, when overcome with despair, I wanted to defend myself, hut the task seemed hopeless. I have not even explained the circumstances to my present husband. Those who regard me as the murderess of .Major ve.'ii Sclioenebeck ami as the instigator of that tragedy are entirely ignorant regarding the cause of the terrible deed. "When I married Major von ScliOLViebeck he was thirty-six and I was eighteen. I was young and inexperienced. and married to escape the clutches of my stepmother, f do not want to complain of my murdered husband. He was goodnatured, but he neglected meeven the first day after the honeymoon, when he went shooting. Eight months after the marriage I made an unsuccessful attempt at suicide, and on two subsequent occasions I again tried to kill myself. "Allensteiu is a small grrnso'i town. T t offered, no di.-tr j•! ions whatever. 1 need»d someone t ► love me; someone ii l .vim n I copUl confide. ?.ly husband 'lid '*t eye for me, ;o that ot'i l s I'ioic mis place. Society iii Allet! , ; , e ,, i a< - quieserd as long i 'oitrc'l fippear ;i>ices wer.! nherved COORTS A IRIAL "I made the acquaintance of Captain von Goeben at a ball in January, P)()7. We became good friends." and eventually he urged me to obain a divorce and marry him. I always refused, although 1 did not try to conceal the laet that my marriage was an unhappy one. Sometimes Captain von Goeben talked of challenging my hus-

' 1 to a duel under such conditions that one of them must have inevitnblv been killed."

After Captain von Goehen's arrest lie accused Fran von Sclioenebeck of Inning instigated the murder. She declares that he was goaded into this statement hy being told that she. had accepted attentions from other men while pretending to be friendly with none but Captain von Goeben himself. "But public opinion enndemnod me." her statement continues. "I have lived the life of Ishmael. I dared not appear anywhere under my right name. I moved from place to place, from hotel to hotel, from boa'rdinghouse to boardinghouse. "I could not remain anywhere, because. I was always recognised. Finally I found a home in a boardinghouse frequented by Americans, where I met my present husband. He did not know my real identity, and only knew my real name alter be had proposed to me." Fran Weber declares that she courts a trial in order that her innocence may be proved. "Of course, I feel morally guilty of the Allensteiu drama," concludes the woman's story, "but, except tor unfaithfulness to my husband, my

conscience is clean. I have never dreamt of running away. I desire nothing but a speedy verdict in order that the horrible suspicion may be wiped out. and that I may take back my children. 1 can truly say that f wish Yon Goeben had shot me instead of himself." MAN IN THIO VELVET MASK.

The murder of Major von Schoenebeek took place early on Christmas morning. Captain von Goeben was present at the major's holism 011 Christmas Kve, when he masqueraded as Santa Clans, and distributed gifts to the children. He left before the other members of the party, at eleven o'clock, hilt, instead of leaving the house, hid in Fran von Schoenebeck's bedroom.

After covering his face with a velvet mask, purchased the day before, lie waited uintil .Major von Schoenebeck was asleep. Then, creeping into the hitter's room lie shot liini at close quarters. Captain von Goeben left the house by a window, hurried to his apartments in the barracks. hid the mask, changed into civilian attire, and was returning to the house in order to throw the body of his victim into the Aller river when lie encountered a military patrol.

He was arrested next day, and soon confessed to the murder. He remained in gaol until March 2, when he committed suicide, by cutting his throat and wrists with a knife which had been supplied witi'i his dinner. ft was afterwards believed that the opportunity for selfdestruction was deliberately offered Captain von Goeben, so that the officer's corps might avoid the disgrace entailed by his being sentenced to death.

Medical experts declared that Frail vein Sclioenebeck was not responsible for her actions, and she was removed to the State asylum at Ivortau. After a year's confinement she was removed to a private .sanatorium, hut subsequently released.