The sun., 1897-05-23
ARRESTED AS SMUGGLERS.
DRTGooDsMANsCR oFsE LOUIS
SAYS IRIS All 4 MISTAKE.

| Pbtinnthropist-R. ,. LnnEhorne with Hin,
Had Diamonds and Jovelry, Intended
for Gifts - Supposed Them Non-Dutiabie.
Richard NJ. Scruggs, head OF tho Scruggs,
Vandcrvoort & Barney Dry Goods Company OF
st. Louis, one of the wealthiost dry goods busi-
nessos in the West, was arrested yesterday
morning, along with H. J. Langborne, by Gus
toms Inspectors Timothy J. Donahuo and
Thomas Brown on the American limo pier. Tho
prisoners had lust arrived on the st. Paul and
had declared that the valuo OF their dutiable
baggage did not exceed $25. As Lnnghorne, who
is associated in business with Mr.. ScrugGs. was
starting down the gangplnnk, ono OF the inspcc.
tors noticed that his wastband wns buglng
peculiarly. IIc was searched, and 30 WIS his
companion. On Langhornc was found u linen
belt containing jcwelry which tho Custom
House officers estimated as worth about 81, 800.
1t consisted of watches and diamonds. In Mr..
Scruggs's pockets. the inspectors say, was found
mora jcwelry. All the jowelry was seizcd.
After they had been searched the two mon
were taken before United States Commissioner
Shields They made no attempt to deny tho
possession of the jcwclry md waived examina
tion. Each was hold in $1,000 bail. The bail
was furnished by Clarence V. Kip, who ia con-
nectcd with tho New York branch Of Mr..
Scruggs's firm at 4I3 Broome street.
Mr.. Scruggs said yesterday to n SUN reporter:
" l was told in London and in Paris, where
bought these articles Of jewclry to bring homo
to somc OF my friends and employees, that
would not be required to pay duty on presents.
Twas careful to ask this in every store. had
never been TO Europe before. and know nothing
about such matters. Mr.. Langhorne and went
there 10 close the sale OF certain patents for an
adding machine to English companies. Tho en-
tire valuo OF what bought did not oxcced
81 400 I Nyn told tbc ate NOR hy ynrioua
passengers whom asked that presents
were not dutiablc. Mr.. Langhorne put
them into his belt, which he had worn
all through "trip in Europe. be-
cause no thought they wonld be safer than In
our trunks. He carried the funds for our trip
all the timc. and, ns drew money In gold.
the belt was bought TO hold the money. l had IN
my pockets several Of the boxes in which tho
jewelry had boen. II there had been any inten-
would not have done that. / was very careless
in not informing myself moro exactly about the
been to Europe before and relied on the intor-
nation that was given to me by tho tradesmcn
fFsm T s eSqSht and Ss frods o cbspd II
ScrugRs' arrest created the utmost surprise In
st Louis commercial, social. and religious cir
enjoyed the greatest respect. Mr.; Scruggs is
multi-millionaire. and has been identified with
devotion to religious and hcnev olent work. He
4 nnd Of ths St t.,
which the charity OF st. Loulsians Is bestowed
dent 0 OF htsrnat pH4 S Sunday school
!, Inion on Mr.; serusEs is ono Of the pilIars
souri,. and is the guiding spirit of ono
Of its missionary adjuncte. He and Samuel
Cupples, the multi.million.irc woodenwarce
Southern Methodism in this vicinity than any
other dt y laEmen Mr. SSrnsgs is ono OF tho direc;
the Mercantile Library, and director OF tho
State Bank Of st. Louis one OF the strongest
member Of the MONDAY, Mercantile and st.
Louis clubs and q trustee OF the estate OF Henry
prises besides his large dry goods @ @ sore He Is
s5 years OF age and accumulated his millions in
Charles f. Barney. vi,epresidon, of the
Scruggs. vandcrvoort and Barney Dry Goods
Company. was SO shocked when the telegram
hardly speak. He turned white and red by turns,
and 4. 1t. then he got angry.
somebody viii Vii pay dearr nS or do not Know ~Rfn
NJ. Scruggs. Nobody need ask me to believe that
II, man A. % q Mr. seruggs' high character and stand
smuggle paltry sum like that or any 9th sum.
II he has been found with ANYTHING dutiable on
n things free: free: Mr.. SSeiusss, has no need 70
his right hand do wrong He has paid too many
millions OF dollars import duties in his business
career TO make him open to contemplate tempta- |
tion at this atc day; repeat. it is an outrage,
and you may depend upon 1t our firm will sift |
the responsibility of It to the bottom and some
body Will afford us redress. | know very little |
about Mr.. LanRhorHe. He is a reputable man, |
SO far as know. Mr.. Scruggs has confidence In |
him, and that Is enough for me-.
Mr.. Scruggs and Mr.. Lanyhovn, are interested |
i'll the American Arthmomet cr Company. which |
owns an imposing plant al 2lO2 Washington |
street. The factory shuts down at noon on Sat |
urday, but D. w; Tyler, the bookkceper, was |
found in the Office by SUS correspondent. Tho |
Arithmomctcr Company manufactures adding |
machines. Mr.. Tyler dumfounded TO |
learn learn that anything had happened to Mr.. Lang
g. He went to New York two or three weeks |
ngo. cannot imagine what his reported arrest |
means. Surely 1t is nothing in connection with !
this business. We don't smugRle anything. We |
nll our goods right here in this |
building X. N. Scruggs Is President and Mr..
ltanghorne Is Secretary and general manager OF |
the company. That IL all know about 1t. I !
nm sure IL Mr.. Langhorne is in any trouble. 1t Is
not in connection with his business. and can't |
conceive what trouble In connection with smug- |
Cling he could have got into"
Mr.. LanRhornc Is u native OF Salem. Va, but |
came to st. Louis several years ago and engaged |
In several business ventures. He left hore with |
Mr.. Scruggs several weeks ago for London with |