The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-12
N!ZAM OF AyDERABAD.
He Loses a Suit at Law Involving
a Million Dollar Dia-
mond. -
: A Deposit of Half the Purchase
Money Made by the
Potentate.
He Changed His Mind, But Cannot Get
Back His Cash-Mr. Jacobs Is
"Mr. Isaacs."

The m~i!lion-dollar diamond case of the
nizam of Hyderabad was decided in India
about three weeks ago, says the New York
Sun. The case has bean the talk OF India,
and. to a lesser extent, OF England. 1t was
decided against the nizam. This distin-
euished p~otentate was beaten in the courts
by a humbl though famous dealer in gems
or bric-e-brac named Jacob, who is said to
be the very person whom. Marion Crawford
immortalizea under the name of MIR. Isaacs.
The nizam is one OF the greatest of all the
Indian potsntates. His large territory.
nearly two-thirds the size of Bengal, lies
between the Madras and the Bengal presi-
denotes. He is noted for his friendliness
toward the empress of India and her gov
eminent, for the magnifcencs of his
iewelry and for the lavish hospitality with
which he entertains distinguished guests.
Tn nizam was one of MIR. Jacobs best
customers. Jacob is welcomed at every In
dian court, for he has high reputation as a
dealer in the ,%costliest of jewels, and as a
shrswd and interchangeable bric-a- brao
hunter. The rich native princes have been
among his best customers. Every year he
has visited Hyderabad, where he was lodged
and fed in one Of the nizam's palaces. Dur
ing the trial Jacobs counsel undertook to
say that the gem merchant was on very
friendly terms with the nizam. His high
ness. however, repudiated this assertion
and drew an emphatic distinction between
lodging q traveller and entertaining a guest.
The nizain said their relations we're purely
commercial and anything like friendship
between them was wholly out of the ques-
ton.
One day, when the nizam was iii %particu-
lsrly good huIpor. Mr.. Jacob happened to
remark that he could procure for him one
of the biggest and finest diamonds in the
world for 4G lakhs of rupees. Perhaps this
docs not convey to all readers the idea of a
very great sum of money. Tho fact is,
however, that As lakhs of rupees arc some
thing over 81 1000 900. The gem Mr.. Jacob
had in view would not bring anything liks
that sum in the open market. but great IN
dian potentates with millions of taxpayers
i'll their domains may be expected to In
dulge soms rather extravagant whlms, and
his highress told the dealer in gems that
if he would bring the expensive bauble te
him he would paw 46 lakhs of ruI ees for il
if it met his approval, but that the gem was
to be returned If it did not please him..
Mr.. Jacob seemed to agree to these terms
At the same time he said he could not get
the stone from England unless half of thu
specified purchase price was deposited in
bank in Calcutta. The nizam thought thi
stipulation was reasonable, und upward 0
$500. 900 was accordingly placed in the Cal
cutte bank, subject to the order of Mr
Jacob.
A soon as the owners of the gem receives
notice that the money had been dsposites
in Calcutta they forwarded the gem to In
dia, where it was duly handed over to Nj
Jacob, who set out in great haste for by