The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-04
4 JEWEILER ARRESTED.
Attempted bribery the Chsree-A. Aiiee,.
Diamond S~unuggiine Case.

Alvin L. StrasburRer of the firm OF Loui,
Strasburger's Son & Co., 10 and is Maiden lane
was arrested and taken before United State,
Commissioner shields yesterda y on a charge O,
having attempted TO bride James II, Henermep
a deputy collector aud inspector OF customs sta.
toned by the United States Government a,
Montreal. He was released under 81, 900 bal
TO appear on April II.
Hefferman, according TO his story. followed
James Baxter, a money broker OF Montreal
from that city TO New York on Sunday last
and was with Baxter on Monday when Baxter
went to Mr.. Strasburger's store and left there a
package Of twenty-five diamonds. valued at
$4,000, which he had brought from Canada
without paying duty on them.
Il. ii. Twohey. another United States customs
officer at Montreal, had learned that Baxter was
about TO come to Now York with q number of
uncut diamonds, and he and Hefrerman shad-
owed tho broker to the United States. Baxter
crossed to PlattsburRh without declaring the
diamonds. It is said, and came on to New York
and put up at the Aston House, whittier Heffer-
man followed him.
On Monday, according 10 ono story. Baxter
went to tho Strasburger store, followed still by
Henerman, who saw him hand over n package
or diamonds. Hoferman went in and demanded
the lot. According TO his story he was invited
to accompany Baxter and Strasburger into n
rear office, and Mr.. Strasburger offered him 500
to say nothing about what had occurred.
He reported the matter to the Special Treas
ury Agents here. and was instructed to make
s ssm Si,da STibs eharg Tns thu The merchant with at;
rant followed. ~"
spatches received from PlattsburRho on Wednes-
day night. Baxter was arrested there by Heffer-
n no on Inesday; ana locked up In the wether-
ana went oack TO Montreal. where he now is.
From a source friendly to Mr.. strasburger the
story comes that HeIorman was more adroit In
his detective work than the official version of
his procedure indicates. 1t is said that after
the boundary without declaring the Diamonds
Heffermen made the rest OF the journey TO
New York in company with Baxter as a fellow
traveller, and went along with him to the Aston
House.
conversation on the subject of diamonds, saying
that he would like to buy some good ones cheap.
and that Baxter thereupon took him to Stras-
which he had brought over duty free.
Heferman then disclosed his identity as an
story. told baxter that II he Would come back
to Plattsburgh and pay the duty there need be
the officer and his advisors thought that tho
Plattsburgh district was the one having juris-
diction. and that 1t would be necessary to get
Baxter up there.
when he got him there: arrested him, only to
Then followed the progress to the Wetherill
House, and the escape. sitter which H-fferman
returned here and made his affidavit. on which
the arrest Of Strasburger was effected.
Ex-Judge A.. J. Dittenhoefer. who appeared as
counsel for Strasbnrger. said last night that he
was satisfied that the charge against his client
was utterly baseless.
The customs officers say that the twenty-five
stones brought. here BY Baxter are a part of
consignment Of $50 stones. valued at between
Sill. 900 and $4,000, that arrived recently at
Montreal. many of them probably destined for
the United States.
Tko ;.,,an I.x., p... .--..
ton Of this city is aiding the Government in
the prosecution Of the charge against Mr..
Strasburger.