New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23
MANY JEWELS ON THEM.
ARREST OF A WEALTHY ST. LOUIS NAN
AND HIS SECRETARY.
CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SMUGGLING
RICHARD NJ sCRUGGs is A WELL

CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SMUGGLING
RICHARD NJ. sCRUGGs is WELL
KNOWN BUSINESS MAN.
Richard N. Scruggs a reputed wealthy merchant
of 81. Louis. and his secretary, Edward S. Lang
horn, who arrived here yesterday on the American
liner ST. Paul, from Southampton, were arrested
on the pier by the customs inspectors. charged
with attempting to smIggle into the country about
5000 worth of jewelry. They were taken before
Commissioner Shields, waived examination and
were held to appear in $500 bonds apiece.
When the ST. Paul was boarded by the Deputy
Inspectors staff the two men had declared only
about SO of dutiable goods After landing their
baggage inspected and passed, and they were
abou; leaving the pier when the Custom House
detectives noticed peculiar hurriedness in their
movements. and. following them. asked If they
were they had declared everything. They re-
piled that they had, but while they were talking
the detectives noticed bullying under Mr.. Lang
horns waistcoat and asked the two men to step
into a private room in order TO be searched They
objected first. but finally consented In money
belt about Mr.. Langhorn were found two gold
watches oxidized watch two pearl brooches
one diamond brooch. one gold chain one pearl ring
one diamond ring, one gold seal ring, thirteen
pairs Of gloves and three Jewel-cases.
In Mr.. Scruggs's pockets were found two gold
watches. two pearl brooches and four scarfpins
The men placed under. arrest.
Mr. Scruggs is mantof seventy-six years OF age
and prominently known in ST. Louis. He is ,pres-
dent Of the Western Sunday-school Union a chief
stakeholder in the company organized to place the
arithmometer. counting machine used in banks,
on the market, and 10 senior member Of the ct.
Louis wholesale and retail drygoods house Of
Scruggs, Vandervoort Barney. William l.. Van
dervoort the Junior partner. has charge OF the
Eastern business OF the house. with his Office at
No. 43 Broome,st. telegram from St, Louis
yesterday said that Mr.. Scruggs was highly re-
spected resident Of that town.
Mr.. Scruggs greatly Inundated over his ar
rest yesterday, and strenuously denied that he had
any intention Of smuggling. He told the following
story
II went abroad for the first time in my life with
my secretary, Mr.. Langhorn, about FIVE weeks ago
10 make arrangements for placing the arithmometer
on the foreign market. While travelling in London
and Paris i several articles OF Jewelry that
thought would be good presents 10 bring home TO
my family and relatives l purchased them, and
made many inquiries as to whether they would be
dutable. / was informed that they would not be.
/ also made inquiries on the steamer, and told
that would not have TO pay duty on articles not
for sale. AS matter OF safety, Mr.. Langhorn
placed large proportion Of the jewelry In a money
belt and wore Ii about under his wastcoat put
the remainder Of the valuables, loose in my pock-
cts. We had no intention Of smuggling. and !
would have rather paid $4,000 than to have had
this happen l shall remain In the city until the
affair is settled"