The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-03
QUEERLY HIDDEN WEALTH
THE AsTONIsHIN0 BAGGAGE OF A
FAMILY OF MONTREAL.
A Wealthy Jewellers sly Disposal Of Goods
Worth eSO,OOO-A Merchant who Hood
winked the Customs Onlcer Mt Niagara.

n WeaHhv Jewellers sly Disposal OF Goods
Worth eSO,OOO-A Merchant who Hood
winked the Customs OHlcer ut Niagara.
MONTREAL. Sept. 1.-Mellor, the fashion,
able jeweler, who kept magnificent shop on
Notre Dame street, Montreal, and absconded
across the lines at midnight some two months
ago, has proved to be one OF the sharpost swind-
lers that has ever graced this part OF the Domin-
ion and ably aided by his family In his efforts
to defraud his creditors. Ever since FIRE which
occurred in his premises last winter, the career
OF Melor has been a downward one. He kept
the company OF a dlsreputable woman. drank
freely, and began Immediately after the FIRE to
melt down his valuable jewelry Of delicate
workmanship into bars for the purpose Of carry
Ing away. After all his arrangements were
completed for abscondlng, he hired boatman
TO row him across the river to Longuoil at
midnight, and thence drove rapidly to Platts-
burg, where he was arrested. A large quantity
OF his jewelry was recovered. His store In this
city on being opened next morning proved to be
empty. and the estate was placed In the hands
OF the official assgnoes.
Mellors stock was valued at about $4,000, and
as II was impossible for him to take It all away
In his flight the assgnees searched the premises
and residence OF Mellor but without success
Mellors family consisted OF an aged mother,
ceedngs were Immediately begun against Them
and Miss Mellor was taken before the police
magistrate. She testified that Meorss accom-
plice was his head jeweller, named berger, and
ulNulged where part OF the treasure was con-
ceaed. A search was made, and buckets OF
magnificent iewelry, including costly diamonds
were found In the cellar Of his residence. ner-
gers Workshop was also searched, and n cash
box nlled with costly rlngs was found. Berger
was consequently arrested for being an accom-
plice, and at his trial facts were revealed show
ing the sharp practice OF MpllOr. who MANAGED
successfully to hOOdwink the American customs
authorities, who were never clever enough 10
seize his rich booty. lie used to visit Niagara
periodically, and send notices to tourists who
arrived arrived, at the leading hotels announcing the
than ono person AT a time to inspect his stock.
Tho trial Of Berger was continued from day
to day Ia this city, and from the testimony Of
the Misses Mellor the creditors we're led to be-
lleNe that they were innocent and were left In a
destltute state, and great sympathy was mani
Tested In their behalf They were, therefore.
dealt very lencntly with 10y the assignees. but
still believing that large portion Of the ssOrO
worth Of 1ewelry WAS secreted somewhere, they
Kept them under strict surveillance.
Last week, however, they asked permission Of
Mr.. Doutre to leave the city, and intimated that
they were going to st. Adams. Mr.. Doutre con-
sented TO their departure, and made arrange
ments Tor strict Inspection Of their personal
effects. The Misses Mellor were very particular
In requesting him to search every trunk. and ac-
cordingly Waterman was despatched to the
being sent to Malone, N. V. via Prescott Mr.
Doutre, In the presence Of the Custom House
pHNtT AT fTtstott, examined the ELECTS and the
ladies' on meeting him there appeared very much
disconcerted; They were accompanied by a
fashionahly dressed young man named Ruther-
ford who assisted the ladies In getting
their baggage checked. A small basket which
one Of the ladies openly carried in her hand, was
found golden cocoanut This remarkable
cocoanut presented the appearance Of an ordl-
nary nut but on being opened was found to be
packed solid with gold chains. earrings brace
let's &c In another small basket, carried by one
OF the children, were a number Of garnet bars
OF soap. The garnets and rings had been first
80 n I'm Ail 10Th hasr
melted and run around the same so as TO pre-
sent the ordinary appearance In one OF the bars
OF soap was found a black oilcloth bag contain
Ing a large number OF diamonds. A plant car
ried by child WAS discovered growing upon the
richest soil ever found in Montreal city all the
bracelets. &c. The entire store Of hidden wealth
would open and stock small tewelry store and
Included most Of the articles found in such an
establishment. Seventeen trunks and cases
were examined. and only bedding was found,
but In the eighteenth were found feather beds
and pillows within which were concealed hair
chains, bracelets, earrings, breaches, &c. The
value Of jewelry discovered was about $1,000
The Misses Mellor were accordingly arrested
and on account OF one Of the children being In a
with Mellor's aged mother. The young man
Rutherford selected three trunks OF clothing for
the released ones, and 1t Is now believed that he
remaining trunks were resxamined, and iewelry
work Of the trunks AZ he selected these trunks
himself. 1t is thought that he has Joined Melor.
WHO'S concealed In some part ~ the States, with
some OF the most valuable jewelry.
ON Tuesday afternoon. Mr.. A. Doutre. the as
signee In the Melor case made careful search
OF the trunk in which the Misses Mellpt brought
back from Prescott some OF their clothing II
IL a common wooden trunk, covered inside with
coarse wall paper. MIR. Doutre and the High
Constable disVuN cred that the two sides Of the
lid were faced with tin underneath the paper.
Ripping ~ the strips Of tin. they found that the
wood was gouged out about quarter Of an inch
in depth. and rough gold In nuggets placed In
the hollow. which extended the length OF the
lid and nrmly glued fast, and this was covered
over with stif pasteboard. the whole being flrm-
ly tackled down with tin, and then the paper re-
pasted over leaving the trunk to all appear
ance as before. The gold It was secured is
worth $50.
1t is said that $4,000 worth OF jewelry so far
has been recovered to the creditors The Misses
Mellor while In this city sold their bedding and
clothing to lead people to suppose that they
were very poor and had no money 10 buy food.