Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-17

ana gray-nalreQ COnSul Oenerdl DOHI
go L. Ruiz, of the Republic OF Ecuador,
was arrested on two charges OF forgery
yesterday and was taken to Jefferson
Market police court to-day by Dectec-
tive Sergeant Hickey. The prisoners
son was present in court with Lawyer
Price, who had been engaged to defend
him. During the brief proceed
ings before Justice Ryan, the
fact was disclosed that Mr.. Ruiz,
who is in his dotage, has been
for some time in the hands OF band OF
consplrators who have feeced him out
Of $50, 900 and in their greed for more
money induced him to endorse the two
81, 900 notes bearing the forged sigma
ture Of Consul Gustave Preston. Inc
principal in the conspiracy which has
led to the downfall of the venerable
consul general is said to be Mrs. Bertha
Laws, his adopted daughter. A war
rant has been issued and she was ar
rested to-day.
A WOMAN DID 1T.
The friends of Mr.. Ruiz say the old
man has fallen completely under the
influence Of this woman and has blind
ly obeyed her bidding for some years
past while she lived in luxury at his eX-
penSe. he first became acquainted
with her through an advertisement.
His wife was in the country and his
daughter in Europe, and he advertised
for a housekeeper. Mrs. Laws an
swered the advertisement and she was
engaged. She was then known as Miss
Bertha Krundslat, OF Stockholm, SWe-
den. She soon got into the Consul
Generals good graces and in the course
of a few weeks made him believe that
she was his daughter by woman other
than his wife. She seemed to
rejoice at her discovery Of her long lost
father and was very affectionate to him.
Mr.. Ruiz, who is seventy-one years old,
and in his second childhood, hnaty
adopted Bertha as his daughter. This
led to an arrangement with his wife
and children and he went to live with
the woman. A short time later Bertha
introduced her husband to her "father.
He was William Laws, a bookmaker aud
general sporting man, who is said TO De
now In st. Louis. The 'father" was
delighted that his daughter" had mar
ried so well and readily forgave her de-
ception in representing herself as un-
married. He continued to lavish money
on her until he had expended $4,000,
nearly all he possessed.
BERTHA NEEDED MORE MONEY,
and the old consul general, acting under
her guidance, went to Boston and called
on Consul Preston. He told the consul
that he needed So, 900 to make up a
sum of $40, 900 he was obliged to pay.
Mr.. Preston did not have that amount
OF money at hand, but he gave him his
note for $4,000, as Mr.. Ruiz was
friend of his and had secured his ap-
pointment as consul for Ecuador at
Boston. Then Mr.. Ruiz and Mrs.
Laws, who had accompanied him to
Boston, returned here, and she pro-
ceeded TO spend the $4,000. she
had introduced him to Samuel
EOstein, man who is well
known to the police here, and
he had advanced cash on the note. But
So, 600 did not last her long, and in
few weeks she needed more money. AS
Mr.. Ruiz did not know where to get any
the conspiraIors concocted a scheme TO
raise it believing that IL the truth came
out the Consul Generals friends would
protect them to save them from dis
grace. But in this they were mistaken.
Mr.. Ruiz's son and his lawyer stated In
court to-day that they are cognizant OF
the conspiracy, know all concerned In
IL and intend to have them punished.
Mr.. Ruiz states that In August last his
adopted daughter came TO him with
50, coo forged notes and said that MI
Preston was real nice man;" that
knowing the Consul-General to be imam
ciauy embarrassed he had sent him
bv mail two notes. Mr.. Ruiz was only
too happy to get the notes, which ne
never suspected to be forgeries, ana al
once at her desire endorsed them. one
of the notes was cashed by Epstein,
who protected himself by taking q
ehattel mortgage on the furniture In
the house, the consul general had fur
nished for Mr.. Laws. The second note
was negotiated by man named h.
Milo. who died on Friday last and was
buried to-day. Before the notes reached
Consul Preston they passed Though
the hands of Herman Israel, tne owner
of the burned Hotel Royal, Henry
Pobatsk and the National Butchers
and Drovers' bank. When the note was
PRONOUNCED A FORGERY
he foreclosed the mortgage on the fur
niture in Mrs. Laws house and caused
the consul generals arrest on the
charge of forgery. Owing to Mr.. Milo's
death and the absence OF important
witnesses at his funeral, the hearing In
the case was adjourned until Wednes-
dav and bail was fixed at $4,000. The
consul generals son offered $4,000 In
cash as security. but the justice could
not receive il. Tomorrow the money
will be deposited with Mr.. Chamber
lain. and Mr.. Ruiz will then be released.
His counsel admits that the notes are
toroeries. but denies that his client
committed the forgery or was cognizan'
Of it.
supposed to Hays Gone Down
- n Oofof,or 16 II ittle.