Evening star., 1895-05-25
EUGENE BOYENS AND co.
Miss Lewis Released in New York
Yesterday.
Police Here Still Investigating the
Firm-The Methods They Used
to Sell Cigars.

Inspector ftOlllnDerSer vas very muCn
surprised this morning when he learned
that Ida Lewis, the young woman who
was arrested in New York on complaint Of
Edward H. Robertson, as printed in yes
terday's Star, had been released. Miss
Lewis, as published yesterday, was arrest
ed because MIR. Robertson suspected that
in addition to being typewriter she was
really a member of the firm of Eugene
Boyens & Co., in which firm he put $1,000
The young womans arrest was made on
Mr.. Robertson's complaint, which was af-
terward supported by an affidavit. Yes
terday afternoon a Police Court warrant
for alleged conspiracy was issued here and
sent to New York; but before the arrival
there of this document the young woman's
case was called before Judge OBrien in the
supreme court chambers.
Lawyer Sweetser was her counsel. and he
asked the court that his client be dis
charged.
She Was Discharged.
In support of his motion. counsel told the
court that the young woman was arrested
Thursday afternoon while walking along
14th street. Miss Lewis. he said, was for
merly employed as a typewriter in the Of
flee of firm of lawyers in Washington.
She was arrested upon the complaint of
Robertson. who charged that the lawyers
had swindled him out Of $1,000 and alleged
that Miss Lewis had something to do with
the transactio Robertson asked a po-
liceman to arrest her, although he had no
warrant, declaring that she was fugitive
from justice She was locked UP in the
Jefferson Market prison.
Mr.. Sweetser declared that her arrest
vas an outrage. the charge against her
was without foundation, and he also in
sisted that the affidavit upon which she
was held was entirely insufficient. Assist
ant District Attorney Hennessey admitted
that the case was rather weak.
Judge OBrien thought so, too, and said
it certainly could not be claimed that
person could be arrested while walking
alcng the street, upon charge made by
a person from another state, without any
warrant. in order to give that person an
opportunity to go back to the state from
tute extradition proceedings. Such a thing,
he said, could not be tolerated. The law
would not permit it. He Immediately dis
charged Miss Lewis, who left the court
room with several friends.
The officers here will make another effort
to have Miss Lewis arrested, and they have
also requested the arrest of Eugene BoyenS
and William Lewis, who was known here
as the young woman's husband or brother.
Their Methods.
Inspector Hollinberger and Detective
Boardmar are following UP the investiga-
ton of the firm of Eugene Boyens & Co,
and today Mr.. N. ]. Payne of Virginia. who
is stopping at 2D4 East Capitol street. called
at headquarters to give an idea of the
nature of the business conducted by the
firm. He had dealt with them, and had
bought cigars. giving in payment GER
tificate of Basic City, Va, stock. He
showed the inspector a certificate given
him by the Boyens company on John c.
Kane & Co. of Boston. This certificate en-
titles him to 1850 cigars. According to the
Boyens companys plan of business dealing,
as explained by Mr.. Payne. they sell the
cigars at the rate of $50 per thousand, $40
in the article traded and $40 cash, the cash
money, he claimed, going toward defraying
the expenses of packing, shipping and
revenue.
The cigars he obtained in this way, he
says. We're worth not more than 50 per
thousand, so his clerk told him.
In a letter received from the Boyens
Company Mr.. Payne was told that the ci-
gars were high-grade scent cigars. By
way of explanation the letter said: "They
are all fresh goods, nicely labeled and give
satisfaction wherever sold; but during The
last season the firm stopped giving credit
TO their customers, and the demand for c-
gars for cash has not been as great as
they expected. Consequently they have ac-
mulated an immense stock in their ware
house of between fifty and sixty million c-
gars. Therefore, IT order TO turn these
cigars into cash, they have instructed us
that if we can trade them for good avail
able real estate to do So We are willing
to trade the cigars for the low price of $50
per thousand, the same price that they sell
for cash, less the amount of revenue, box
ing, labelling. &C., which is $40 per thou
sand"
Another Company.
Inspector Hollinberger has communicated
with the Boston police officials for informa-
tion concerning the Boston company.
Boyens advertised his business extensive
ly in some of the papers, and it was in
answer to one of these advertisements that
Robertson and Payne had business rela-
tions with him.
Since the arrest of Miss Lewis in New
York was made known in the newspapers
complaints against other companies have
been made, and Inspector Hollinberger is
now Investigating at least one of them.
In conversation with Star reporter to-
day the inspector said he was getting sick
and tired of complaints against alleged
mushroom concerns" and he hoped that
Congress would some day enact law
giving the authorities some power to keep
them in check.