Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-28

NEW YORK, March 27.-Stanlslaus d.
Bortkievitch, who says he is Russian off
Ger, and count exiled for political opinions
was tried to-day for stealing Mrs. Charlotte
| NJ. Payne's diamonds. His beard and long
hair are almost corn colored. He limped to
the bar upon crutches, for he broke both legs
by jumping off the Elevated Railroad struc,
ture while trying to escape from Detective
Nugent.
On October II he was tried before Judge
Cowing for stealing purse from the hand
of Miss Brown, Principal of the Fifth Ave-
| nue. School, in the corridor of the Equitable
building. He was acquitted that time for
lack of positive proof. Two weeks later
Mrs. Payne, who was living at the Buck
ingham Hotel, left four diamond rings valued
at 81, 900 IN her room when she went down to
lunch. That afternoon Bortkievitch offered
three Of the rings for sale to William Barth-
man, jeweler, of Maiden lane and Broadway.
In Bortkievitch's room in Waverly place large
amount of valuable jewelry was found in his
trunk and his bed. This was afterward iden-
titled by number of ladies living in hotels
and boarding houses.
TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE.
gent in Third Avenue Elevated Railroad
train on the way to police headquarters, but
just as he stepped upon the Houston street
platform, followed by Nugent, he sprang down
upon the track and ran swiftly up town. Nu-
gent pursued him and he jumped to the side
walk, breaking both legs. He said that he in
tended to commit suicide. He has been in
Bellevue Hospital almost ever since.
When Bortkievitch had seated himself at the
bar he said that he preferred to defend himself;
but Recorder Smyth directed lawyer to sit
beside him and assist him. The prosecution
had soon put on its case, Mrs. Payne being one
of the witnesses. and then Bortkievitch took
the stand. He spoke clearly and forcibly, and,
at times, even eloQuently. He said that he was
sorry in giving American gentlemen SO much
trouble in trying him, but he was most unfor
tunate man. OF distinguished Russian house,
he came as refugee to this country in July
last, landing at Boston. He intended to marry
a lady whom he had met IN Paris He had
money, and he intended to become an Ameri-
can citizen. He desired to get place in pub
lie library having been literally educated at
the University of Cracow, where his uncle is a
professor.
HIS CONFIDENCE WAS ABUSED.
When he went to the Equitable building on
his arrival in this city. to call upon a banking
firm tot Vhich he had letter of introduction,
he was arrested upon the charge of robbing
Miss Brown. After his acquittal he obtained
employment at Deimonico's He found lodg-
ings under an assumed name and tried to live
honestly, The news of his disgraceful arrest
and trial was sent to Russia and his old mother
died of grief. One day in Broadway he met a
young woman who said that she was Mrs. Dora
Gouran, of 40 Church street, Chicago. She said
that she had been present at his trial, and
deeply sympathized with him. She asked him
to go with her to Chicago. but he refused. She
made an appointment with him for the follow
ing evening, but he broke it. On the evening
after she came to Demonico's, and sent word
to him. He met her. She displayed many
jewels, and giving him the rings that Mrs
Payne claimed, asked him to sell them for her.
He had not seen or heard of her since his ar
rest
HE FORGOT HIMSELF.
"The bitter experience that l had in this
country, gentlemen of the jury" he said, in
conclusion. his utterance broken by tears and
sobs, "is sufficient punishment for me. Hard
labor in a penal institution will not be so
salutary a lesson as the recollection of nv
sufferings. 1 am guilty of receiving the rings,
to sell, from Mrs. Gouran, but of no more. 1
trust, gentlemen, tnat you will acquit me and
send me back to comfort my poor old mother
in Russia"
"By the way" said Assistant District At
torney Jerome, in cross examination, did you
not tell us moment ago that your poor old
mother was killed by the disgrace of your
former arrest and tria?'
1t was poser for Bortkievitch for an in
stant Then he recovered his wits and replied:
Perhaps l did, sir. But you must make
allowances for my feelings and my hurried
utterance- She is not dead.''
Then Mr.. Jerome gave him an elementary
problem in geometry to solve. but he could not
make any headway with 1t. The jury promptly
Bortkievitch, and Recorder Smyth
sen tenced him to State prison for five years.
II protest before my God" )" he exclaimed as
he was led away on mis- crutches from the bar,
that am innocent"
Deputy Sheriff Burke, who took him to the
tombs. noticed that he edged toward the curb
as car was approaching and seized him in a
firm grip until the car had passed. Il would
like to have more intimate acquaintance" he
said grimly, with those horses hoofs for at
least half a minute" He will be closely
watched in the Tombs to prevent his killing
himself.