New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-02
FOUR PERSONS CLAIM JEWELS.
COMPLICATED CASE BEFORE THE APPEL
LATE DIVISION OF THE SUPREME COURT


The Appellate Term of the Supreme Court has
been called upon 10 decide the ownership of two
diamond rings valued at $3.50. valuable sapphire
scarfpin and other jewelry. claimed by four diff
ferent persons. The persons claiming the diamonds
are Alexander P. Sheridan. who claims them on an
assignment from Rebeoca Israel: the latter, who
asserts that they were given TO her by Manuel
Plaza; Plaza. who claims them as forfeited security
loan which he made TO Salvador Presas and
Presas. who says that the Jewels are HIS. and that
he never parted with the title to them. All the
claimants aver that they are the only legal owners
Of the jewels and the different stories told by these
persons. who all trying 10 get the gems from
Property Clerk John +. Harriet, at Police Head
quarters. proved very confusing to Presiding JUS
tice DAILY and Associate Justices McAdam ana
Bischoff Of the Appellate Term
Manuel Plaza. who is Cuban, came TO this city
from Caracas. Venezuela. last April The testimony
shows that he met at No 223 West Fourteenth-st.,
where they both boarded. Miss Rebecca Israel. who
spoke Spanish fuently. Plaza wanted to learn
English. and Miss Israel undertook to teach him
the language The evidence also established the
fact that Plaza gave his teacher number OF
presents. He first met her on Friday. May IL. and
OH the following Sunday gave her a shawipin on
Monday steamer chair on Tuesday Two Spanish
books. on Thursday two solitaire diamond rings.
and few days later sapphire pin. All went well
until Miss Israel thought that Plaza was 100
marked in his attentions. and finally refused to
marry him.
Plaza demanded return Of his gifts but Miss
Israel. who had had the Jewels reset by Tiffany
would not return them. The matter became more
complicated when Salvador Presas appeared on the
scene and made a demand for the jewels His story
to the effect that the rings and the pin were
his property, and had been given 10 flaZa as
security for a loan.
Miss Israel, according to the testimony still re-
lSnA n "a
order for her arrest In this way Properly
Clerk Harriet obtained possession Of the Jewels AT
the trial before Magistrate Simms Miss Israel was
discharged.
Plaza then brought suit in the First District
Court against Presas on the note for the payment
Of which the jewels said to have been left as
security. Civil Justice Lynn gave Plaza judgment
for $3.50 80. This judgment was not paid. and Plaza
claimed that the jewels had been forfeited.
Plaza then renewed his demand on Rebecca
Israel for the jewels. Rebecca declared that she
could not return them. even If she were Wiling TO
do so. they were held at Police Headquarters
The plot thckened when a fourth claimant. Alex
ander F. Sheridan. appeared and demanded the
jewels. claiming that they had been assigned 10
denied he had any right to the gems, and to settle
the many claims Sheridan brought an action in
the City Court against Property Clerk Harriet,
Miss Israel. Plaza and Presas to recover the
diamonds. In this action judgment was awarded 10
Miss Israel She then began suit In the city
recover possession of the jewels and won the suit.
Sheridan not willing TO let the matter rest
here. and took an appeal 10 the Appellate Term OF
the Supreme Court.
The three Justices named have heard the argu-
ments OF counse! and have reserved their decision