The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-28
GEMS ~ MOODI's sEEMOys.
Not Word. but a $4,000 Bracelet OF DIa-
mopds and >Tpphir~s.


A volume Of Evangelist Moody's SER
mons and it's contents brought a vastly
higher price in Collector Kilbreth's office
Yesterday than that famous preacher
had ever set upon the collection. says
Yesterdays New York HERALD. They are
not very much given 10 sentiment in the
custom-house and other essentials also
actuated the gentleman VINO might be re-
ferred TO as the purchaser.
He was Banker J. Pierpont Morgan.
The sum Of 500 was PAID for the con-
tents Of this little volume, and 1t came
about. according 10 the coheetor and MS
assistant, IN this way ,,..,
Deputy Collector John "hson repre-
sents Mr.. Kilbreth at me general post
Office and has charge y the foreign pack
age department in which all parcels from
abroad are examined for appraisal II
dutiable There came into Mr.. Wilson's
hands ON Friday last q book forwarded
by mail from Florence, Italy, and adj
dressed to J. Pierpont Morgan
screen FOR No ID n ~nts
Upon removing the wrapplnss Mr.. Will
son found that the BOOK was volume
Of Dwight L. Moodys sermons on the
Higher Life" and IL purported to come
from Mr.. Fabri, formerly member OF
the firm Of Fabri & Chauncey, for many
wears imnorters and brokers' in this city.
Mr. Fahri has lived in Italy for some
time.
The deputy collector made very In
terestine discovery when he examined
between the covers.
Some one had cut through the leaves
and dug out a space about three inches
SQUARE I'm the centre of the volume. and
In the cavity thus formed there reposed
a MAGNIFICENT bracelet Of diamonds and
sapphires.
These gems are dutiable TO the extent
Of 10 per cent. Of their value, and when
the importance Of the ind dawned upon
Mr. Wilson he promptly forwarded 'the
package 10 Collector kiibreth at the Gus
tOm-house.
Then the collector sent word to Alr.
Morgan, with a request for that gentle
man to call upon him. The banker was
very much surprised when he had learned
the cause Of the collectors summons to
his Office and also very quick 10 protest
his entire ignorance and innocence Of
what had the appearance Of being very
clever attempt upon some ones part to
get valuable jewels through the CUSTOM
house without paying duty upon them.
Wedding ,'t.s n for it, Dau htes.
He said he had no intimatIon OF any
such present from abroad, nor that 1t
was to come in any such form. and
further remarked that he presumed the
bracelet was intended as a gift for his
daughter. Juliette. upon the occasion OF
her marriage next month to w. Person
Hamilton.
OF course Mr.. Kilbreth was free 10 say
he had no idea that Mr. Morgan was
engaging in smuggling, and then he re-
quested the banker 10 make out a state
ment to be forwarded to the Treasury
Department at Washington. When pre-
pared. the statement and accompanying
report were Of some length, and recited
all the details Of the seizure. The gems
had been appraised meanwhile. and ex-
perts put the value of the bracelet at
$1,000.
The report on the case was forwarded
to Secretary Carlisle on Saturday, and
yesterday word was received 10 release
the jewels upon payment of the duty.
Mr. Morgan handed over 500 and car
ried away the wedding present to his
daughter. Mr. Morgan was said to be
not at home when l called at his resi-
dence last night 10 ask for his version
of the story told in the custom-house