Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-06
NEW YORK MEN TRY TO EXTORT
$4,000 FROM A BRAZILIAN.
SPANISH CONSUL INVOLVED.
ACCUSED OF RECOMMENDING ONE
OF THE BLACKMAILERS.
Intended Victim Is nm Artist and n
MultimiliiOnnire- - Blnckmnilers
Threatened to DenOunce
Him for Gross Abuse
of His Wife.

New York. Dec. "a plot TO blackmail
SeIor Don Eugenio de Faria TeiXeira, II
brazilian millionaire. which had been fruS-
trated by the central office detectives, was
revealed to-day by the preliminary police
court proceedings in the prosecution of
William b. Turnbul. who claims TO be AN
accountant, and William Eiford Gould.
who has been known as a Wall street siec-
uiator. The name of Arturo Baldesano
y'Topete, Spanish consul general having
been mentioned in connection with the
scheme to eXtort the sum of $3.50 from
Ssnor Teixeira. Il subpoena was issued for
his attendance at the examination in the
case of Gould and Turnbull. which has
been set down for Tuesday. The prisoners
were committed to the Tombs prison In
default of bail, and it is said that at the
police court investigation Turnbull will
become a witness for the prosecution. AID,
by disclosing the full details of the COLI
SEracy fasten the guilt on his confeder-
ate, Gould, and implicate the high Spanish
government official.
The money was demanded from Senior
Teixeira under the threat to publish his
life's history" and the alleged fact thiIs
he had violently assaulted his wife while
she was in u delicate condition. The de-
tectives had several interviews with Turn
to extort the money. the amount of which
was finally. reduced to $3.50. and are in
possession of the letters written to the
brazilian millionaire.
Senor Don TeiXeira, who is a wdower,
arrived here in October, 1895, with his
mother, Nine. Maria Luisa TeiXeira. from
Spain. 1t was then announced that the
Teixeiras intended to invest their fortune
of about sJ0,OOO.000 in this country. They
spent half a million dollars in the erec-
ton of mansion at the corner of West
End avenue and One Hundred and Fifth
street. this city. There, mother and con
have since lived quietly.
Consul Baldesamo comes into the case
because of his friendship for Gould. He
gave Gould a letter of recommendation,
which Gould presented to Teixeira in APP
plying Tor the position of private secre-
,ary.. When detective. posing as an
with Trumbull the latter brought Gould
into the case. Then the detective inquired
at the Spanish consulate concerning
Gould eminently fitted to act as secretary
to Secretary TeiXeira.
Senior Teixeira has reputation as an
artist. He painted the celebrated picture
entitled The First Communion of Amer
lea" which took prizes in Paris, Madrid
and Chicago. He is first cousin of Dom
Teixeira is reputed to own rich gold mines
in the republic of Brazil.
Consul General Baldesano. when told of
the arrest of Could seemed greatly
shocked.
Il know Mr.. Gould" he said. .'He is
an educated. courteous gentleman and an
honor to his country. l know there must
be some serious mistake. Mr. Gould came
to me one day several months ago and
asked my opinion about European art
schools. I know little about art and told
him SO. but I gave him the address of
Senior Teixeira. with whom I happened to
be Slightly acquainted. and who is very IA
miliar with the subject. We talked Of
Senior Tiexeira and I mentioned the
scandalous stories which had been circu-
lated about him. Why should not /?
simply gave him what was common prop
erty- l eventually gave Mr.. Gould let
ter of introduction TO Senior TeiXeira."
The consul general admitted that he had
been visited by Il detective in connection
with the case. but denied with much indig-
nation that he had warned Gould.
When asked if he would obey a sum-
mons to testify in the case. he evaded the
question, with q. shrug of his shoulders by
saying; They. cannot compel me to give
any testimony
Asked what he would do If placed under
arrest. he waXed warm again and declared
his intention to defy any such procedure
Then. with a smile, he added: There is
no danger of that