The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-11-14
WHOLE NO., 81.
MYSTERY OF A RUBY.

story of Gem Sold to a JeweIer I'm Ja-
maica by Cody Woman.
Toward the close of the year 1883
a cody woman who had recently
disem barked from an Indian emi-
grant ship entered jewelers. shop
III the seaport town of Montego Bay,
in Jamaica, and offered large, pc
culiar looking stono for sale. She
was evidently unaware that any pe-
culiar value attached to it except
as curiosity and readily parted
with it for a small sum.
The ieweler himself scarcely real
,zed the Importance of the transao-
tion until, after the application of
severe tests, he found himself the
possessor of what appeared to be
ruby of extraordinary size and great
value. His good fortune almost over
whelmed him, but he was shrewd
and cautious man. a German, and
kept his secret. His business, al.
ready prosperous one, having in
creased, he removed to Kingston,
the chief town, and, taking his
brother into partnership, established
himself there. One fine morning
few months later he took a steamer
to New York, ostensibly on a bust
ness trip. The jewel went with him.
Arriving there, he obtained reports
from experts on his treasure. All
assured him that the gem was gen
uine and of immense value. He then
cautiously opened negotiations with
the dealers. The result was almost
beyond his hopes, but not entirely
to his satisfaction. The highest sum
offered for his ruby was enormous,
but not equal to what he considered
to be it's actual value. He sailed for
London, had reports from other ex-
perts and obtained other offers, but,
still remaining unsatisfied, he re-
turned to Jamaica. He was now
keenly alive to the value of his DOS.
session and was by no means in
clined to part with it for a sum be-
low it's actual worth.
In the meantime his business af-
fairs in Jamaica had become compli.
Gated, and the branch bank in ia
maica of the Colonial bank of Lon
don was threatening him with bank
ruptoy proceedings on account of
overdue bills of exchange. Once
more he sailed for London with the
ruby, and in order to stay the bank
ruptcy proceedings until he could
lind a purchaser, and as security for
his debt, he deposited the stone with
the bank. 1t is stated that prior to
the banks taking over tine ruby as
security the stone was once more
submitted to an expert, and his re-
port was satisfactory. This, howev-
er, is denied by the bank officials,
and in the light of subsequent events
the denial is important.
Unable to find purchaser willing
to give his price, the jeweler applied
for further advances on security of
the stone. The bank agreed, but
prior to handing over the money de-
oided to have another test made.
The stone was submitted to IA
nous jeweler of London, and the re-
suit was surprising. He pronounced
the jewel to be merely paste and alb
solutely worthless. On this report
the bank returned the ruby to the
owner, refused the advance and Ca
bled instructions to the Jamaica
branch to press the bankruptcy pro-
oeedings This was done, and the
jeweler was declared bankrupt and
forced to leave tho country. At the
present day he is living in one of
The American states, merely work
man and practically ruined man.
The jewel returned by the bank
was undoubtedly an imitation, and
but clumsy imitation at that, but
acre the mystery of this case arises.
The stone bought by the jeweler was
undoubtedly genuine. Experts of the
highest repute declared it to be so,
md dealers emphasized the opinion
oy offers of hard cash. But the stone
IS finally tested was merely, as the
expert stated, colored paste. That
he original stone was stolen and an
imitation substituted appears to be
he only solution. How or by whom
The substitution was effected has
,ever been discovered. The bank
,fticials were able to exonerate them
;elves from ALI responsibility in the
natter, and the Scotland Yard au-
;horities declared that the theft
'ould not have occurred while the
stone was In the possession of the
'ank. If stolen, the ruby has never
on the market, and it's
mystery seems as far from solution
ss ever New York Sun.
The Snine's RiIl