The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-05-11
DIAMOND SMUGGLING.
The Ease With Which Precious
stones of Large Value May re eoh-
ceaIed.

Thu Ease With Which Precious
stones of Large VnIue May BE Con-
cealed.
one Of the simplest devices for SNUG
Cling diamonds is that of the hollow
heelcd shoe. 1t is asserted that boots
and shoes constructed so as to leave
small vavant space in the heels are
easily obtained in Europe. and they are
especially manufactured for the pur-
pose of supplying smugglerS with
means for escaping detection.
The porous plaster has often served
as a means of secreting diamonds.
When it is understood that $4,000
worth of diamonds or more can easily
be incloScd in Il paper parcel about rs
wide as this column. l Il inches high
and about quarter Of an inch thick.
it is easy 10 comprehend that such Il
package can be kept securely in place
by means of an innocent but highly
scrviceable porous plaster.
one of the most ingenious methods
ever employed was the use of Il cake
of soap. wherein Il number Of diamonds
had been imbcdded. II is highly pro
bable that this plan would nave proved
successful had it not been that the of
ticerS of the government had received
information that the suspected person
had diamonds with him. ana searched
his effects 50 thoroughly thIt they eN-
amined even the SCm-studdCd block OF
soap.
The wife of this Smu@glcr helped her
spouse. and her plan was not less in
genous than that of her husband Her
hat was ornamCnted with punches Of
grapes. which under ordinary circum-
stances would only have awakened the
4 envy OF other wearerS Of bonnctS.
Within the grapes were diamonds and
/ fancy stones of great value.
Another smuGglcr was specially pro-
vided by providence with Il smuggling
device in the shape of Il heavy covering
of thick buShy hair. which he arrang-
ed 81 that it stood up from his fore
head like an impcnctrable bush With
in this mass of heavy hair he deposited
Il goodly stock Of diamonds. and sue
ceeded for a time in escaping the yigi-
/ lance OF the custom houS" officials.
AS these schemes have become
! known to the custom house authorities
the ingenuity Of Smugglers has been
/ more severely taxed A recent diScov-
( cry disclosed the following elaborate
4 plan. which succeeded Il great many
I times before it was discovered.
4 Two smugglers operated i'll partner
ship. The first crossed the ocean. and
before leaving the wharf reserved re-
turn berth for Il certain datr. The date
! and the number of the berth were ut
I once cablvd to his accomplish in
/ America. Having purchased his dia-
mondS. in due time he returned to this
country in accordance with the inSruc-
/ tons previously c&blcd. No amount
| Of examination resulted in finding any
diamonds upon his person. Meanwhile
/ however. his partner had secured the
same berth.
When the day for sailing came. part
, ncr No. >, accompanied by his family,
entered the cabin and extracted from
secure hiding place several parcels OF
! diamonds left there by his accomplish.
. These he handed to his fearful family,
who. after bidding him gond-hy, left
! the steamer unsupported and brought
the diamonds into market. 1t took Il
long time to discover this schcmC.-Jcw-
1 clers' Weekly.