The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-01-01

West aud travel for some time. Jay
Gould may miss ldg daughter, but he'll
gain good son.inelaw, and no needs
one. What do you suppose hell give
us for startcr?"
This and some mo1p statements Of the
samo sort mado up auettcr received by
John I. Bassiord, General Agent OF the
Union Mutual Life Insurance Company,
tho day after Henry /. Norcross de-
manded 100000 OF Russell Sage and
throw the bomb that brought death and
destruction 10 the millionmrc's office.
The letter was signed 'Princc Won
NIichaels," and Mr.. Bassford recognized
in tho writer Il man whom he had once
bciricnded through pity. In effect the
writer asked Bassford to aid him in MI
attempt TO kidnap the eldest daughter
OF Jay Gould.
Tho plan waa to irsluce tho young
woman on some prcbcxt or other, to.
enter cab near her fathers residence,
Fifth avenue and Forsy-sevcntl street.
Won Michacls and Il companion werc to
follow her into tho vehicle and draw tho
blinds, and tho driver was to carry the
party to New Jersey, whore train was
to boarded for the West Won Michaols
entered into no further details, but
asked Bassiord for his advice and MS
sistance.
Mr.. Dassford was appalled,. The au.
dacity OF the proposition and its terri
bic consequences appeared to him in
10 uncertain WAY and no set about dis
covering Won iiichaels' whereabouts.
The letter was written from Il hotel ut
Twcnty-sixth street and Eighth ave-
hue, but he learned that the writer had
como from there 10 Brooklyn. While
the insurance man was dcliberating as
to what was best to do. Inc received u
postal card from Won Michacls.
SENT A LETTER TO MISS GOULD.
"Ihavc sent u letter to Helen, through
Kosa, the cook" the postal card read.
'She knows about the elopemcnt plan.
want YOU TO 20 to Mr.. Gould's house,
get acquainted with some OF the SER
wants and find out about Miss .Goulds
hours for walking and visiting. Help
INC out in this and there is 4 million in
it for both OF us.
Mr.. Bassiofd, now thoroughlya alarmed,
hcstatcd no longer. Elo belongs to 4
lodge OF which Police Captain John
Gunncrs son is member and he had
known the Captain for long time. lie
went to tho East Sixty-seventli street
station and met Captain Gunner and
Ward Detective Campbell. He showed
la t,l Il al sci, -
he knew OF Won AIichaels.
He first metNun Michaels, lie said,
ten months ago, when the latter had an
office and fiat on Third Avenue, near
Eighty-frst street. His sign: "Palnist
and Phrcnologist," and Bassiord found
him glib talker, full OF schemes and
with 4 wonderful knowledge OF the
domestic affairs OF aristOcratic house
holds. Ile seemed to take fancy TO
the insurance man and paid occasional
visits to the latter's home at No. 1870
First avenue.
Won Michaels said he was 4 prince by
by birth and heir to Il vast estate now
in litigation III Germany. lie discover
cd great possibilities in Bassiord after
examining the lines in his hand and
studying the bumps OF his head, and
made several propositions OF an cxtrava-
giant nature to him. The alleged prince
admitted that he was con his uppers"
in this country and made 4 living by
peddling trashy novels.
81 20 TO tho servants door," lie said,
s'and show the books. When I've
gained admittancc I use my gifts i'll
palmistry and phrenology and then l
learn IRON the maids and buffers all
about their masters and mistresses."
GEORGE GOULD HEARS TIE STORY.
Captain Gunner told Mr.. Bassiord to
come to tho station house on Saturday
night, December l.. When the insur-
ancc man arrived he met George Gould,
the millionaire's eldest son, III the DO
lice captains Office. Mr.. Bassford pro-
duced the letter and postal card. MIR.
Gould was startled.
"Why, this fellow has sent letters to
my sister Hclen," he said. "They came
wh!lo We were at Irvington last sum
mer, but didn't know tho cook had
anything to do with them. One OF tho
girls in tho house is named Rosa, the
name he uses on the postal card. Tho
letters were signed Prince Michaels."
Capt. Gunner expressed his opinion
that the man was crank, and Mr.,
Gould affected to coincide with him.
The police captain wanted to know ii
the Gould family would like to have
Won Michaels arrested, and Mr.. Gould
Haid no. An arrest would bring publ
city, and tho idea OF kidnapping some
member OF the family might DO taken
up by come other crank. MrGould took
possession oil the letters, aud said he
would have extra precautions taken
about the house. He thanked Mr.. Bass.
ford and the interview terminated.
When Miss Helen Gould's first rcccp-
ton took place, last Saturday night, one
Of the detectives on guard had special
instructions to look out for Won Mich
aels. Flo is about q years old, five
feet eight inches tall, with high fore
head, red hair and sandy mustachc. ETo
did not appear in tho ncighborhood OF
the Gould mansion that night. ;
A day or two alter the interview in
the station-houso Mr.. Bassford was
greatly perturbed by receiving visit
from Won Michaels. The insurance
man berated his guest roundly. He
asked him what he meant by writing for
assistance in such diabolical plot, and
wound up by telling OF his meeting with
George Gould.
"Ho says you ought to be in an asy-
lum," Mr. Bassford declared, "And l
think SO too"
THINKS JAY GOULD NEEDS a ,soS-lS.LAw.
Won Alichaels took things very coolly.
Ho insisted that Helen Gould would
make no resistance il he could once