Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-04-11
STRANGE STORY OF CRIME.

Consul Stockton's Eyentful Encounter in Hol
land With the wicked Count Zachsrofr.
Richard Stockton, United States Cen
sui at Rottt rdam, is at home on a brief
visit. Talking of an episode of his
official life there, he says that while IN
Paris, Just before sailing, he passed in the
streets the Count y tctaroff, whose
peculiar career in New York will lbe well
remembered and whose final evil scheme
Mr.. Stockton's excellent discretion and
nerve were the means of defeating. The
story was partly told in New York at the
time, but Mr.. Stockton consents 10 give
the full details.
Zachsroff appeared in New York ten OF
twelve years ago under another name and
claiming to be Turkish Pasha. What
his real name or nativity is does not
seem to be definitely known. In little
while he abar doned the Turkish pretense,
gave out that he was of noble Russian
family aud assumed the name and title
of Count Zlcharoff. He managed in
some fashion always 10 have an abun-
dance of money and lived handsomely,
although on his arrival in New York he
seemed almost destitute. He never
reached and, so far as known, did not at.
tenn pit to gam any position in the reoog
nized society, but he made good many
friends la certain circles. He pretended
20 6e particularly intimate with Nicollni
and Nine. Patti during their visit His
acquaintance with the excellent and un
fortunate young lady whom he biga
mously married was begun shortly
after his coming to New York, through
her brother in-lRw whom he met
on the steamer coming over.
Mr.. Stockton had known Zacharoff by
Sht in New York, and had had some
hearssy knowledge of his true character,
when Mr.. jerks, a New York lawyer, APP
peared at the consulate in Rotterdam aud
asked Mr.. Stockton's Intervention. 1t
will be generally remembered that Zacha
rolf married Miss Billings, of New York,
daughter of a well known and wealthy
family there, and Unexpectedly sailed
with her by German steamer to Rotter-
dam. Mr.. jerks Was consulted by the
family and sailed on later bat faster
steamer, thus reaching Rotterdam before
Zachatoff's arrival.
THE STORY TOLD TO THE CONSUL.
Following is the story he told to Consul
Stockton, and certainly there is nothing
in romance or crime more dramatic than
are many of the circumstances herewith
given of an adventurous ex traotdinery
| career. Mr.. st, ok ton assured himself by
the papers in Mr.. jerks possession that
all he had said was substantiated to the
letter by them. The family had AWAY
opposed Zacharoff's suit, Mr.. jerks ex-
planned, but Miss Billings was of age, wac
dee ply enamored and evidently intended
to marry him in spite of opposition
The family could learn nothing definitely
against his character, and therefore their
consent was finally bat reluctantly given.
The fact of the marriage was published
ia the World the next morning, together
with many OF the romantic Incidents in
| Zaoharoff's career, which he had told his
| friends. When, by the way, ZacharOf
was informed that the narrative was to
| be printed in the World he was strangely
| sgitated and begged the reporter, even to
! tie extent of Offering him a bride, to say
nothing about the marriage, and a. any
rate not TO cay anything about his career
especially about his life in Egypt The
reporter asked him if he had not himself
! given their details, which seemed limo
cent enough, and Z4oharoff answered that
be had; but he had reasons just then for
! not having them reoounted In lriDt. HE
reluctance is now easily explained In the
story which Mr.. jerks told Consul Stock
| ton.
The day OF the publication in the
| World a gentleman called at the residences
of Mrs. Billings, on Madison avenue
Being admitted, he explained TO Mrs. Bill
! liDgs that he resided in Philadslph ia
that he was ordinarily in the habit oil
reading the New York Tribune, hut or
/ that morning, by mere chance, he haC
( bought a copy of the World and hsC
read in IL the account OF her daUghter'i
marriage. Certain incidents in Zacha-
/ rof's particularly some adventure
/ in Egypt-hsd startled his attsntioz. n,
/ believed that Zacharof wes p swindler
/ with VII N he had been associated abroad
/ and who had persuaded BIN to commit
| forgery for which he mad been compelleC
4 to escape 20 America. He had before
and since lived an honest life, and, il
/ Zachsrof was indeed the man, he felt i
/ his duty 10 expose kim ard TO save th'
/ daughter from misery and shame. i
Zscsroff was the man who had ten ptet
and betrayed him, then her daughter wa
not married, for Zacharof had already
wife still living in Bristol England.
At that moment he saw 8 photogrs pt
/ Of Zachsrof on the mantle and a. ouc'
/ identified 1t. Zacharof was called anC
confronted with his aocuser. He laug heC
at the story, and, with perfect assurance
| said that the man vac crazy; that he hac