Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-08


u number CT French and English papers
Tie announcement that Colonel Pedro Con
zales. known in Brazil as the Diamond
King. was about to visit Europe and that
lie would bring with him collection of
gems such as could not be cquaied in Eu-
roTc
This was an ordinary news article, but,
as we shall see, it and the others of like
tenor that followed were parts of a careful
" planned scheme Of plumber which for
audaciy has not been cqGalcd in the whole
history OF brilliant imposition.
While the ordinary reader in London and
Paris had forgotten all about these reports,
their memory was still in the minds of dia-
mond collectors, when the newspapers an
bounced that Colonel Pedro Gonzales, the
Diamond King, had reached London and
would at once proceed to Paris.
The news item in the London Telegraph
was as follows:
Colonel Pedro Gonzales, recently created
| count by his majesty Dom Pedro. emperor of
Brazil, has for years been known TO the world
! rs the Diamond King. He is man Of great
wealth and stands near to the throne in his
| native land
| Colonel Gonzales travels in simple style, his
| only attendant being valet, who. curiously
| enough, is an American Yankee, 10 whom Por-
| tugCese and French come Is easily as English.
| The colonel proposes TO remain in Europe for
| some years, he wishes his two boys and two
| girls TO have the advantage Of the hest conti-
| mental schools. As soon rs he has decided on
| n place of residence the countess and children
will join him.
| A representative of Tie Telegraph had the
pleasure and honor of meeting the Diamond
| King yesterday at the Langham hotel. He
| talks English without an accent, and might
| easily pass for London merchant in easy cir
| cumstances He is of medium height, well
built and erect. Only the dark eyes and black
| hair and beard suggest his south European
| ancestry.
At our request Colonel Gonzales kindly
| showed Us some OF his gems, which, by the
| way, no has not brought over for sale. With
out much knowledge OF the actual value OF
these diamonds, The Telegraph representative
was tlazzlcd by their beauty ard found himself
| breaking the commandment against covetous
| ness. There is hardly woman from thu
throne down who woGld not have had her heat
turned By the sight of these wonderful gem
rs tho colonel let them fall carelessly through
his long, shapely fingers.
The colonel will stay in London for n few
days and then hurry over to Paris, but h
promises to pay US much longer visit in
month or two.
This article and others of similar i'm
port were republishcd in Paris days befor
| Colonel Gonzales reached there. That h
had anythin. to do with this notoricty n
one suspected, for nc had shown himself t
be "a most modest, unassuming man.
Paris was ready for Colonel Gonzales, a
it ever is for every new sensation and tn
Due dc MoTny and the rich men with tn
diamond mania at once sought him out
Only Il little less remarkable than him
self was the servant of Colonel Gonzales
He was a fair haired, blue eyed young ma
of the most respectful and self respectin
bearing Handsome, quiet, intelligent an
with unmistakabo evidences of culture i
all his acts and words, Cyrus Cushmar
| the valet. won the esteem of all with whol
he came into contact
Rich Americans, whether from I'll
northern or southern continent, are r,
gar,icd by the P;irisiars as semibarbarou,
and the majority warrant this opinion b
| their lurid and vulgar mode of life an
their reckless expenditure of rroncy.
There were those who believed the Di;
mond King would be the characterist
barbarian, seeking society and working fG
notoricty. But. To the surprise CT ''tf
cmpcror's set" Colonel Gonzales souyi
p out nobody and did nothing to distinguis
his way of life from that of the Gvcraf
well bred man.
Inns unexpected course lntenslEcu II
interest in him. He was, in addition
being a diamond king, /. rcrl avis, and
the great TO whom he showed such a r
spectful Indifference decided tn seek hi
out, and here was a great poiEt game
whether he was gentleman or impcstor.
He delivered his letters of introductic
I and left his card; that was all.
Prince DolgoroGski, n rich Polish nobl
man, was among the first to call on Col
ncl Gonzales The prince was dclight'
: with the interview. He was lover Of Iii
inonds ard hoped the Brazilian would "
unfairly crafty his desire, but that placi
well bred person never once alluded TO di
: monds during the interview.
He is gentleman. and If he has q
shop he does NOT talk il, was what I
prince said to the due de Morny and 9th
friends after the interview. After this v
;tors crowded in on the Diamond Kin
:. and, satisfied that he was not only rich. b
agcntlsman. Invitations poured in ON hi
Hewent TO the clubs and houses Ia " hi
he was invited and proved himself Ia ~
man of wonderful talent, for he played a