Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-10-31
BIG SEIZURE OF DIAMONDS.

As the steamship America from Liver
pool, touched Quarantine recently at New
York, several revenue officers boarded the
vessel and proceeded to take the declara-
tion Of the passengers as to the contents of
their baggage. Oscar Finke, one of Special
Agent Brackett's detectives, fastened him
self upon one passenger aud his companion,
lady, and declared at once:
That's my man."
His eyes never left the passenger thereaf-
ter till the Barge Office was reached. When
his turn came the passenger made sworn
declaration that his name was Edward
Graves. and that his baggage contained no
dutiable articles. The surveyors inspectors
examined his baggage and passed it ON as
containing nothing on which duty Is levied.
Mr.. Graves was met ut the Barge Office by
three gentlemen, who at once introduced
themselves to the returning traveller. They
were Special Agent Chalker and Officers
J. Il. Lawrence and Lehman Israel. These
agents Of the Treasury Department were
under orders from Capt. Bracket TO make a
rigid examination Of Mr.. Graves person and
baggage. Capt. Bracket issued this order
in consequence Of information that he
had received that Mr.. Graves was member Of
the firm of NJ Fox & Co., diamond merch-
ants, No l Maiden lane; that five years
ago MI. Graves had been charged with
smuggling $1,000 worth of diamonds and
that be was expected TO arrive about this
time from Europe, and that it would be
we'll to watch him.
Mr.. Lawrence made himself very polite
to Mr. Graves, but requested chance to look
into his baggage, while his lady companion,
who is his wife, was turned over to the
delicate attentions of two female inspectors.
The valise was opened. Nothing was dis
covered in it TO excite any suspicious. A
toilet case looked innocent enough, but Mr..
Lawrence, nevertheless, opened it. A comb
and brush and cake Of soap were done up
in q damp towel.
"a cake of soap" thought Mr.. Lawrence,
'Well, ! suppose II mau might conceal a
diamond in 4 cake of soap. 1t isn't very
likely, but I'll try"
Taking his knife he cut up the soap, and
there in the middle, were imbedded eighty.
seven glsteping diamonds. MIR. Lawrence's
eyes sparkled like the diamonds, but the
face of Mr.. Graves looked graver than it
had ever done before.
This did not end the search. Under the
lining of tie bottom OF the valise was found
q layer Of raw cotton. An examination OF
this proved it also contained diamonds.
The COTTON was picked open Oh y table in
Capt Brackett's Office. BY actual count
Ais diamonds were uncovered, clear beau
tiful stones OF various sizes, but all OF great
purity La Mrs. Graves possession was
found bonnet trimmed with imitation
berries. Concealed in the lining OF this
bonnet were % diamonds of about q TO 3
a., =, II
and in the lining of this, ingeniously con-
cealed were found 2G3 diamonds.
There were $50 diamonds in all seized, in
addition to one lace pin with three dia-
monds, one pair of earrings with four dia
monds, one ring having large solitaire
diamond, Que scarf pin with four diamonds,
one shirt. stud with one diamond, besides
one blue stone, six turquoises and one
amethyst and pearl. The entire lot is
valued at 81, 900 and is the largest seizure OF
diamonds ever made at that port. Eugene
Honeybet, an examiner in the Appraisers
office, declared that it was the most clever
attempt 1T smuggling he had ever seen.
Diamond smuggling, i'll the nature Of the
case, is the most difficult Of detection.
Mr.. Graves was forced to confess to Cap
tain Brackett that he had endeavored to
cvade tho revenue laws. He was accord
ingly arrested and arraigned before Com
missioner Shields. Mr.. Lawrence made tie
complaint Graves was put under $4,000
bail, his suretes being his wife and Charles
J. Fox. As Mrs. Graves acted under the
direction Of her husband she was not held
OIL a similar charge. The diamonds will be
contiscated to tho Government. Graves
risked losing all his importation and his
own arrest on criminal charge for chance
of saving about 81 500, which he would have
had to pay rs duties if he had imported the
diamonds in the regular way. The house OF
NJ. Fox 4 Co., is we'll known in the jewelry
trade, and Mr.. Graves is q mau of consider
able social distinction.
HORRIBLE Su1c1DE-A dispatch received from