The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-19
GOES TO DOGS GAMBLING.
PHILADELPHIA MERCHANT IN JAIL
FOR SWINDLING.

Pawned JewcIry Obtained From n
Prominent Firm by False Pres
lenses in order TO Raise Money to
bet on the naces-PaWn Tickets on
which He Had Obtained $4,000
Found ON the Prisoners Person.
Later Developments Expected to
Largely Increase the Amount Oe
His HI-GOtten Gains.
New York, July 1S-Willam A. Bell
wood, a we-known dealer in antique
books and rare jewelry at No. 1882 Walnut
street. Philadelphia, who rents an expen-
sive suite of rooms at the Plaza hotel here.
Is under arrest at police headquarters,
charged with having swindled Marcus q
Co.. jewelers. of this city out of jewelry
valued at many thousands of dollars.
The arrest was made on Saturday. ana
In a police court to-day the prisoner was
remanded to the custody of the central of
flee detectives.
A small portion of the jewelry has been
recovered, and pawn tickets for a large
part of the remainder have been found.
The detectives say Belwood has confess.
ed TO his dealings with Marcus g. 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 g. Co. about a year
ago. He frequently bought goods from
the firm on memorandum. and so far az
the police know his dealings were for
long time legitimate. Belwood spent
much OF his time in this city and first lived
with is wife at the Imperial hotel until
they moved to the Plaza some weeks ago
Recently Marcus & Co. learned that Bell
wood was seen frequently at the race
tracks, where he was reported TO have been
a heavy loser. The firm then determined
to keep "A close watch In the event of the
purchase of more goods by their Phiiadel-
phia customer.
Last Friday Bellwood appeared at tha
store Of Marcus & Co. and called for a
diamond necklace which ne said he want
ed for lady customer. Hd selected one,
valued at 1880 and left the store. He
was followed by an employe of the firm
and was seen to go into a Bowery pawn
shop, where he pledged piece Of jewelry.
believed to have been the necklace, which
he had just received on memorandum. The
firm was informed of the transaction and
MIR. Marcus then consulted with the head
quarters authorities.
1t was decided to arrest Bellwood, and
on Saturday he was taken into custody on
Broadway.
on his person was found the costly neck
lace, together with bundle OF pawn tick
cts on which he had received S13960. OF
this amount $,400 had been obtained on
iewelry received from Marcus & Co.. and
$3.50 on Jewelry which he claimed to own
himself The total number OF pawn tick
cts recovered was forty-two, and twelve
OF them represented the Marcus goods.
Bellwood admitted his guilt as far as
the Jewelry which he had received from
Marcus q Co. was concerned and said
that his downfall was due to gambling on
the race tracks. He stoutly maintained
that he had swindled no other individual
or firm.
To-day the prisoners wife surrendered
a beautiful necklace, composed of pearls,
amethysts and crystals, valued at 81, 900,
a double finger ring and an antique brooch
set with a topaz In the center and pear
shaped gems of every description In three
rows with three pendant pearls.
Mrs. Bellwood, who speaks no English,
claimed that the jewelry is her own pri-
Yate property.
Bellwood has secured property valued ak
upon which he has paid only 81 800. The
police expect to find that he swindled
other jewelers. here in the same way.