New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-08

nature Of the dealings which Mr.. Gould had with
Mrs Nicolaus by which. she alleges. she Sc
cured from Mr. Gould a check for S4O,OOo MI
Gould reiterated his statement that he knew
nothing Of the woman beyond having seen her
at his office once or twice when she came there
to ask for charity. Mr.. Howe, of the iirfn OF
Howe & Hummel, who are attorneys tor MIS-
Nicoaus, only shook his head at inquiries, but
he declared that nothing that had been discov-
cred and printed would change his determina-
ton TO press the suit. There n rumor that
Mr. Gould had taken steps to begin suit against
the woman for backmail. but he denied it.
George j. Gould said yesterday that he mad
received the complaint in the suit OF Mrs Moo
laus and had turned it over to w. Bourke COCK
ran, as his attorney. He said that the COM
plant simply embodied the allegations mat
have already been printed and contained no out
side insinuations. Mr. Gould said: Il have taken
no steps to bring the case before the Grand
Jury for Indictment the ground Of black
mail | shall do nothing further in the matter
except to defend the case in court when 1T comes
to trial.
MR.. HOWE SURPRISED.
William f. Howe seen at his office by
Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon. Il was
good deal surprised to read the stories In the
newspapers" he said. but they will not affect
Were the published stories about Mrs. Nlco-
lauss history correct?' was asked.
In the main. The fact Of the marriage was
correct Some Of the details diiier from the
story which we have"
DO you intend 10 push the suit?
certainly. The defence may succeed In be-
smirching our clients character. but that does
not affect the facts connected with the $4O.OoO
check The plaintiff may not be spotIess. But
that Is not the subject Of the suit
Tho story Of Mrs. NicOlaus's hotel experience
In this city Is meagre and shortly told. So far
as is known her first appearance In hotel life
here was at the Sturtevant House. in Broadway,
between Twenty-cighth and Twcnty-ninth SITS.
This was in January 1898. 1t is known. now
ever. that Mrs. Nicoaus had been In YORK
for some time previous TO her going To the
Sturtevant At the hotel she registered as Mrs.
leila Nicolaus. She had expensive apartments
on the second floor and attracted unusual at
t-ntiOn by her appearance. Her beauty WAS
often remarked.
LITTLE ATTENTION GIVEN TO HER.
However Mrs. Nicolaus was no more than
one Of the guests OF the house. ana little or no
attention was paid to her movements. She came
and went when she pleased paid her bills regu-
larlv received her own callers. lived her own
life At the hotel she was that pretty Mrs
Nicolaus' and that was all No suspicion what
ever seems 10 have attached Itself To her.
After a few weeks Mrs. NicOlaus left the Stur-
tevant suddenly. Where she went Is not known.
She returned In few days and took up her
abode i'm her old room. She seemed To have
more abundant means than before. and ran her
hotel bill up to two and three hundred dollars
a week. She hired carriages frequently, anu
went often to the theatre.
What made her the desirable guest which she
was In the eyes OF the proprietor of the Sturte-
want was that she paid her bills promptly But
when one day last May the usual prompt re-
mittancc for rent and board and extras was
not forthcoming. Mr.. Bang. of the hotel. went
To Mrs Ncolaus's rooms 10 make inquiries
She told him that she was In an embarrassing
position \ friend had been protecting her ana
had failed To send her the needed money. The
embarrassment did not cease. and a day or two
later Mrs Nicolaus left the hotel-and four
trunks which the proprietors carefully detained
Mr. Bang in speaking of Mrs. Nicolaus yes
terday said that she was not a suspicious CHAR
acter in any way. lie knew Mr.. Gould by
sight but 80 far he was aware Mr. Could
had never been To the Sturtevant to call on any
guest Of the house 49,
clerk at the Sturtevant said or Mrs Nico-
laus: "She was a little fool She had loads or
money was "a beautiful as picture. but did
not know how to take care either OF her money
h..rc