The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-02-08
A FAMOUS DETECTIVES CRIME.
Denth Of DruscOvIch, Who Was Implicated
in the English Turf Frauds.


don of Druscovich, formerly chief
inspector Of the Scotland Yard detec-
tive force, who became notorious few
years ago in connection with frauds on
the English turf. Druscovich and two
other detective inspectors were SEN
fenced in 1877 to two years imprison-
ment with hard labor for conspiracy
to defeat the ends of justice" in the
famous confidence case in which a
number of betting men were convicted
of defrauding Nine. de Goncourt of
$4,000.
Nathaniel Druscovich was of English
birth, about forty years of age, and was
considered very skillful and success
full officer up to the time of his disgrace
in the fall of 1877, when, together with
three other Scotland Yard officers, ne
was arrested, tried and sentenced to
two years imprisonment with hard
labor for unlawfully conspiring to de-
feat the ends of justice" Prior to his
arrest on this charge Druscovich had
stood high in the estimation of the civil
and police authorities. He has been
described as a remarkably keen, intel
ligent and jealous man. On several
occasions he had been rewarded by the
chief magistrate at Bow street out of
the funds appropriated for that pur-
pose, for services in connection
with the discharge of his duty.
In July, 1875, he was warmly recon-
mended by the grand jury at the Cork
assize, and also by the Judge for intelli-
gence and ability. He was likewise
complimented by the foreman of the
jury at Cork in March, 1876, and by
Sir Colman OLoghlan and many other
members of the Irish bar. He was an
accomplished linguist, and was ac-
quainted with many prominent people
in various parts of Europe. He had in
his possession letters of approval sent
him by the emperor of Russia and
other notable persons, and during his
more honorable career as an officer he
was the recipient of several valuable
presents. His connection with the
Scotland Yard force began in Decem-
ber, 1861.
OF his shortcomings, it is on record
that up to the time of the Nine. de
Goncourt affair Druscovich had been
reported, in all, eight times In 1861
he was charged with being in a publ,
house while on duty, and in 1862 was
accused of similar offense. In 1868
he was reported for addressing the in
spector improperly when spoken to.
He was charged with assaulting man
and calling him swindler; also for in
science when chided for neglect of duty
and for improper conduct in connection
with a private inquiry agent The
other police officers who were convicted
with Druscovich were John Meiklejohn,
William Palmer and George Clarke.
The offense charged against these men
and certain solicitor named Froggart
may be substantially stated as follow, ::
gang OF swindlers had been engaged
forsome time in defrauding the public by
means of bogus betting agencies, some
times of one kind and sometimes of an
other. The defendants, it was alleged,
had entered into conspiracy with this
gang to prevent any of their number
from being arrested or interfered with
William Kurr, man of more than or
binary ability and energy, was the
leader of the swindlers. An intimacy
had sprung up between Kurr and man
named Harry Benson. The latter was
the son of respectable merchant in
Paris. He had fine education, was
smart and industrious, but his ability
and industry were entirely devoted to
criminal exploits. Benson entered
heart and soul into the conspiracy of
the Kurr gang to swindle the British
and French public, snd, if possible, the
world at large.
Druscovich became connected with
the plot in the spring of 1876. Meikle-
John, who for several years had been on
terms of intimacy with the swindlers,
told Kurr that Druscovich was in a
financial strait and wanted to b orrow
$500 The money was promptly forth
coming, and the Scotland Yard detect
i've, who had been bitter enemy of the
gang, was transformed into an ally.
Soon afterward what has been called
the gigantic De Goncourt fraud was
started, and in its various stages in.
volved all the detectives who were SUBJ
seuuently arrested. A newspaper
/ was started by Benson, printed osten-
sibly in London. It contained a
sensational article on the embarass
ments of Mr.. Montgomery, gentle
man engaged in extensive Transitions
on the turf. He was represented to be
man of enormous fortune, who had
been so successful in his turf bets that
he could not obtain from the book.
makers even market odds. The article
suggested that Montgomery desired to
secure respectable agents in France,
unknown to the book-makers, and he
would give them handsome commits
sion. Checks were to be sent to the
''Royal Bank of London, Agar street,
Charing Gross, London" There was
no such bank, but the swindlers rented
rooms in Agar street and had some
blank checks printed. They also en-
gagged handsome apartments in King
street, Piccadilly, where Mr.. Montgom-
cry, the supposed rich man, was to re-
- 1 Il l. u