Evening journal., 1897-07-19
SWINDLED JEWELERS.
Arrest of a Frenchman For Obtain
ing Goods Fraudulently.
HAD CAMBLED At THE RACE TRACKS
lie would Obtain Articles on Memoran.
DUN and Forget to Make Returns
of the Sales TO the Merchants.
Partly Admits His Guilt.

New York, July 19.-William A. Bell
wood. a well known dealer in antique
books and rare jewelry at 1882 Walnut
street, Philadelphia, who rents an ex-
pensive suit of rooms at the Plaza hotel.
is under arrest at police headquarters
charged with having swindled Marcus
q Co, the jewelers. at Broadway and
Seventeenth street. out of jewelry val
ued at many thousands of dollars. The
arrest was made ON Saturday. and at
the Center street police court the pris-
oner was remanded to the custody of
the central Office detectives.
A small portion Of the jewelry has
been recovered, and pawntickets for
large part of the remainder have been
found. The detectives say Bellwood has
confessed to his dealings with Marcus
& Co, but denies that he has swindled
other firms.
Bellwood Is a Frenchman of good ad-
dress and refined manners He began
his dealings with Marcus & Co about
year ago. He frequently bought goods
from the firm on memorandum, and so
far as the police know his dealings were
for a long time legitimate. Bellwood
spent much of his time in this city. and
first lived with his wife at the Imperial
hotel, until they moved TO the Plaza
! some weeks ago.
Bet on the Races.
Recently Marcus & Co. learned that
Bellwood was seen frequently at the
race tracks, where he was reported to
have been heavy loser. The firm then
determined to keep a close watch In the
event Of the purchase OF more goods by
their Philadelphia customer.
Last Friday Bellwood appeared at
the store Of Marcus & Co. and called FOR
a diamond necklace, which he said he
wanted for a lady customer. He select
ed one valued at $500 and left the
store. He was followed by an employee
Of the firm and WAS seen to go into a
Bowery pawnshop, where he pledged 9
I piece of jewelry believed to have beer
the necklace which he had just received
on memorandum. The firm was inform
ed of the transaction at once, and Mr.
Marcus then consulted with the head
quarters authorities.
Had "A Large Number of PawntiolSets.
1t was decided to arrest Bellwood, an,
next day he was taken into custody ol
Broadway. on his person was foun'
the costly necklace. together with
bundle of pawntickets, on which he hai
received Sl3,96O. or this amount Ss4U
had been obtained on jewelry receive
from Marcus & Co. and $3.50 on Jewel
ry which he claimed 10 own himself
The total number OF pawntickets re
covered was AZ. and u Of them repre-
sented the Marcus goods.
Bellwood admitted his guilt, as IA
as the jewelry which he had receive
from Marcus & Co was concerned an
said that his downfall was due to gan
I bling on the race tracks. He Stout
8 maintained that he had swindled Il
e other individual or firm.
e The prisoners wife has surrendert
o a beautiful necklace composed Of pearl
S amethysts and crystals valued
r 81 000 a double finger ring and an al
tique brooch set with topaz in II
e center and pear shaped gems of ever
D description IN three rows with thr'
s pendant pearls.
Mrs Belwood, who speaks no Enl
lish, claimed that the jewelry is h
own private property.
Bellwood has secured property value
: at $4,000 from the Arm of Marcus,
= Co.. upon which he has paid only Sl,5C
: The police expect to find that he swil
: died other jewelers. here in the san
WaV