It was no secret that Chief Ludwig Hohlenberg had been largely absent from the public eye since 1914, still leading the Free Association of Lawmen but operating from behind-the-scenes, a far-cry from the explosive anti-crime persona of his earlier years in charge. This date, 1914, would prove highly relevant to the root cause behind this private withdraw for it marked the beginning of the most catastrophic event in Chief Ludwig's, and indeed the entire Hohlenberg family's lives - the Great War.
The Hohlenbergs hailed from Bavaria, Ludwig's mother and father immigrating before his birth, and many remained behind. This was not accompanied with animosity between the Bavarian and American branches, and both sides remained in very close contact. This kinship would not last however upon the start of the Great War. Bavarian Hohlenberg's held massive respect and loyalty to the German Kaiser, with many clamoring to support the war effort against the Triple Entente, and expected the American Hohlenbergs to follow suit. This was not to be, as the United States leaned towards the Allied effort against the Central Powers, and the American Hohlenbergs, Ludwig most of all, were ardent supporters of the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Both sides would quarrel until tragedy struck, breaking the spirit of both branches.
Karl Hohlenberg, Ludwig's uncle, died on September 1st, 1916 defending against the Brusilov Offensive by the Russian Empire. Upon hearing the news, the entire Hohlenberg family fell into deep mourning, for Karl was perhaps the most loved of all, holding a special place in many hearts. Ludwig's father died soon after, many saying from a broken heart. Worse still, Ludwig's mother would follow soonafter after severe depression. Ludwig felt into silent depression himself, having lost his parents and his connection with his Bavarian kin, who no longer responded to correspondence.
Though he clung to life, sustained by desire to serve the fine city of New York, the troubles associated with immersing himself into all matters dark - hearing of murders, robberies, and other assorted evils, the recent massacre being a particularly rocking case, took its toll. Thus, on January 3rd, 1918, when Ludwig Hohlenberg was found dead from an apparent self-administered gunshot wound, his closest acquaintances were not totally surprised. Leaving behind a grieving widow and the now leaderless Free Association of Lawmen, and little other legacy.
The Hohlenbergs hailed from Bavaria, Ludwig's mother and father immigrating before his birth, and many remained behind. This was not accompanied with animosity between the Bavarian and American branches, and both sides remained in very close contact. This kinship would not last however upon the start of the Great War. Bavarian Hohlenberg's held massive respect and loyalty to the German Kaiser, with many clamoring to support the war effort against the Triple Entente, and expected the American Hohlenbergs to follow suit. This was not to be, as the United States leaned towards the Allied effort against the Central Powers, and the American Hohlenbergs, Ludwig most of all, were ardent supporters of the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Both sides would quarrel until tragedy struck, breaking the spirit of both branches.
Karl Hohlenberg, Ludwig's uncle, died on September 1st, 1916 defending against the Brusilov Offensive by the Russian Empire. Upon hearing the news, the entire Hohlenberg family fell into deep mourning, for Karl was perhaps the most loved of all, holding a special place in many hearts. Ludwig's father died soon after, many saying from a broken heart. Worse still, Ludwig's mother would follow soonafter after severe depression. Ludwig felt into silent depression himself, having lost his parents and his connection with his Bavarian kin, who no longer responded to correspondence.
Though he clung to life, sustained by desire to serve the fine city of New York, the troubles associated with immersing himself into all matters dark - hearing of murders, robberies, and other assorted evils, the recent massacre being a particularly rocking case, took its toll. Thus, on January 3rd, 1918, when Ludwig Hohlenberg was found dead from an apparent self-administered gunshot wound, his closest acquaintances were not totally surprised. Leaving behind a grieving widow and the now leaderless Free Association of Lawmen, and little other legacy.
