New-York tribune., 1895-07-06
RIVAL CLAIMS TO THE VIOLIN.
THE STRADIvARIUS CASE AGAIN COMES
Up IN COURT.
TESTIMONY OF LAWYER FROM AUBuRN-HE
DECLARES THAT THE INSTRUMENT


CITY Maristrate Flammer began. in the jefferson
Market Court yesterday afternoon the examina-
ton Of Victor Flechter the dealer in musical in
struments Of No. q Union Square. who is ac-
cused by Mrs. Bott the widow of J. J. Bott of hav
ing in his possession a Stradivarus violin when
was stolen from her late husband. The examlna-
tion room was crowded with musicians. Remenyi
the Hungarian vir;uoso. was there. as were the
Gemunders father and son; Friederchs. I.chten-
berg and Josephs The first witness called by AS
sistant District-Attorney Allen and his associates
was Mrs Eott She was cross-examined by Mr.
Cohen. OF IIoady. l.auterbach & Johnson The wit
very nervous. She said that she rec
ognzcd the violin found In F1echter's possession as
that stolen from her husband because OF certain
marks but al first failed 70 tell what or where
those marks were. She finally said that there was
a line about two inches long the upper face Of
the violin. which had been made when the instru-
ment repaired. Mrs. Bott got much confused
during the cross-examlnat ton. but sure she
said. that there mark on the top OF the
violin extending down from the chin rest. This
part had been mendcd. but the marks OF the repair
ing still showed
Miss Augusta Bott the compainant's sistern-
law was then called. She had seen the violin
very often but could not remember any OF the
marks August NJ Gcmunder the violin maker
said that he was an expert In violns. and would
knox a Stradvarus anywhere. He could not be
"doctored' with intent to deceive. He described
tn. Bott violin as an instrument OF great mellow
ness and softness OF tone. IT was low-toned In
strument" he said. rather than one of high tone
! ~iw II three times. and | am positive that
should know II anywhere. When saw II there was
4 long crack I'm its face. into which the point of
toothpck would easily go. told Herr Bott that
he ought TO have 1t mended
John Friedrich gave similar testimony He had
seen the instrument two or three tines. He de-
scribol It exactly As Mrs. Bot, and Gemunder had
done.
The defence then called Stanley Il. Ross. law
yer from Auburn. y Y Mr. Ross said that
ever since he was lad be had been buying viollns
He was a pretty good Judge OF such instruments.
lie said tha, in october last he bought violin from
Flechtor which hal every appearance Of being
Stri livarius but he was not certain OF It's gen
uinen"ss Mr.. Flcchtcr had refused TO guarantee
It's gcnuinencss He added that he would know the
instrument anywhere again. About two months
ago he returned it TO Flechter. TO be sold for his
account
The witness then went to tell the marks by
which b. could recognize his instrument. lie said:
There were two small pieces knocked off the vo-
lin. on each side iusi by the hole There
s'rumcnt and there were non- Of IN" other MARKS
described b. Nrs Boii' tn. witness told OF sew
erti other distinguishing marks.
The violin then taken into Magistrat" flam-
in'r's private room. and IN" witness showed the
Magistrate the marks Of which h@ had spoken. No
one else ~as allowed - see the instrument Mr..
positively that the violin which has been In the
poss. +sIon ~ the property clerk AZ Police Had
quarters since Fl"Chtcrs arrest was his intrument
An adjournment was taken until next Tuesday