EXIT VON VELTHEIM.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 111, 10 May 1919, Page 19

EXIT YON VELTHEIM.

NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL RESTORED TO : HIS NATIVE LAND. i I LONG CAREER OF ADVENTURE Franz you Vclthclra (who shot n.irncy ' Ilurnuto's nephew, Woolf Joel, dead In the ' Joel ofllce In Johannesburg in JsOSl left Spalding repatriation camp In England early In March on his way to Germany. Yon Velthclm was Included in n big batch ' of prisoners sent away, and there was quite a crowd of people to see England's last of him. Into his 02 yenrs of life -he was born In Brunswick In 1857—Kurtz, which Is yon Velthelm's real name, has crowded more adventures than the most versatile villain in fiction. Few parts of the world have escaped bis depredations*, his "marriages" alone would make a long list, and he is i probably still "wanted" in quite a number !of places. Including his native land, for crimes yet unpunished. Standing Oft -tin, yon Volthelm Is a most imposing person, of polished manners, and an accomplished linguist. lie was in prison many times, but as a rule only for short sentences, for he had great luck In dodging the police. It was In 1908 that the whole world whs aroused by the story of the shooting by yon Velthclm nf Woolf Joel, nephew of Barney llarnato, and part heir ot his enormous wealth. When yon Velthclm went to the Joel's office in .lohannesbirg In February 1803. ho was met by Mr. Woolt Joel and the ' manager, Mr. Strange. He then claimed that the Joels had promised him money for services rendered. Yon Velthclm owned he shot Woolf Joel, but, brought to trial, he was acquitted of murder on tbe plea of self-defence. The police story of subsequent happenings may thus be summarised:— loon.— Found by British as prisoner of war nt Pretoria, and deported to England. 1001.—In Italy, and raised £20.000 for company to search for Kruger treasure. 1003.— Eloped from Naples with married lady to Geneva. 1007 _ln Antwerp and T"aris. ■WOR—Fonnd guilty, February 13, at the Old Bailey, of having demanded, with menaces. £10,000 from Mr. Solomon Burnato Joel, and sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude.