Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-09
SAYS 1T IS BLACKMAIL
Mr.. Byrnes Denounces George
Gould's Annoyer.
he HAS LOOKED UP HER RECORD.
Mrs zeIIA NieSlaus, the Pretty Young
blonde who Is Suing the millionaire For
$4,000. Is, According to Byrnss, En-
pert Matchmaker From Chicago.

bAEhs LeliA NlCoAaGAs tue Eretty hounE
blonde who Is Suing the millionaire For
$4,000. Is, According to Byrues. an Ex-
port BlAekmAiler From Chicago.
NEW YORK, Dec. All doubt concern
ing the character Of Mrs. Zella Nicolaus,
who is suing George J. Could for so 600.
has been swept away by Superintendent
Byrnes. Mr.. Gould called on the superin-
tendent aud talked with him for nearly an
hour. Six hours later the superintendent
freely expressed his opinion about Mrs.
Nicolaus and incidentally related some stir
ring incidents connected with the pending
suit.
Mrs. Nicolaus and Mrs. George Gould.
the two women most deeply interested in
the matter, have discussed it with the SUI
perintendent at different times and at diff
ferent places. 1t was also admitted that
the record of Mrs Nicolaus is thoroughly
known to the superinten lent and his IA
miliarity with il gave him the privilege OF
calling her an adventures, a blackmailer
and a criminal pcrha6 the most inter
esting statement made by Mr.. Byrnes was
that Mrs George J. Gould was heartily in
accord with her husband in his determine
ton to fight the suit to the bitter end and
that she is entirely convinced of his COM
plete innocence.
Il have had a number of conferences
with Mr.. Could said Mr.. Byrnes, con
corning the suit brought against him, and
l have known this Mrs. Nicolaus for sew
eral months She is professional black
mailer. Before leaving Chicago she black
mailed an eN-mayor of that city and an in
vestigation into her history which caused
to be made has shown that her life has
been full of similar exploits. She has gone
! Ia TOO FL
now we will be able to show her up in her
true cOlOrs and SO put a stop to her shame
full career. This is the only way to protect
the public from the attacks of such people,
and hope that every man who is singled
out as victim by such a creature will APP
peal to the police and receive the protec
ton to which he is entitled
"l on can say as coming from me that
know the woman very well-iu fact,
know all about her. | am familiar with
her career in other places, and too much
cannot be said against her. The iufoTma-
I tion that | have received concerning her
cannot at present be given To the public
| for II l. necessary to keep II secret in the
interest of a certain object have in view.
'All this Information. however, i mt the
disposal of Mr. Gould. and it will Ike used
/ in case the suit ever comes To trial. Ii will
show that this woman LIS a blacker char
] ASNSE even IMAM sue i CtNNlittNl Will uSEt
/ is no doubt that she is a black mailer pure
and simple, and that Mr.. Gould's relations
with her were just what he represented
them to De.
Il saw MIR. Gould several times before
this suit was brought and went over the
case with him. but it was determined Il
/ take no action until after the woman had
made a move in the matter.
Mrs. Gould Determined.
Il have also had several interviews with
Mrs. Gould, and she is even more deter
mined than her husband to see that the
woman receives the treatment due her for
connecting such a matchmaking scheme
/ Mrs. Gould has the most absolute and per
feet confidence in her husband. She i:
certain that the woman is nothing mort
| than n common adventures, and she ha.
expressed willingness to make any public
appearance or do anything else in order Il
show her trust in the loyalty and faith OF
her husband. She told me that she was
| convinced that the entire scheme was con
cocted for the sole purpose of eNtorting
money.
Mr.. Gould is one Of hundred yes, OF
a thouSand-meu in this city who have
been asked 10 pay tribute TO blsckmailer.
and adveuturrsSes, and most Of them have
paid rather than submit to any exposure.
When the scheme WAS first tried on Mr.
Gould, Re went to his wife for advice. and
she advised him to defend the action. In
fact, she was determined that the suit
should I've defended for the sake of his Own
family. in the interest VI the public and
for the sake of those meu who may be sin
Gled out as victims in the future who
lacking courage to tight. would yield Il
the outrageous demands mad. upon them.
Mr., Byrncs was asked whether he in
;rudcd taking any formal action agains,
Mr~. \icolaus.
Il made no threats. nor will make any,
he replied. but Whenever discover that 8
wrong has been done | will certainly do al
| can 10 right it and 10 bring the wrong
doer to Justice Ii criminal intent i.
shown in this case the criminal will h
prosecuted.
Il have the names Of large number o.
persons that this woman either attempted
TO blackmail or has succeeded in black
mailing, but of course l can't give them L
the public The men she selected to work
were all wealthy and occupied either hiSl
social or \ high public place, and these ar,
just the sort of men who are most eager 4
keep such a matter quiet l have taker
measures to get statements from men whl
have paid money 10 this woman"