The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-21
zELLA NICKoLAUs's DESCENT.
She Is Now "a Common Integer of the
Prescribed Women of Colorado.
Denver News.


Denver News
Zella Nckolaus the woman who gained
worldwide notoriety few years ago by
a suit in which she sought generous slice
of the fortune of Howard Gould, has been
a resident of Denver for some months past.
and is now visiting with friends at Colorado
Springs The history of the woman Is well
known, particularly that part of it in which
she figured in the courts and the newSpa-
pers IN connection with her attempts 10
get money from the Goulds She had been
a dashing faVOrite in certain circles in New
York city in which unlimited money is
spent for sensuous pleasures, and in some
manner claimed Howard Gould CT
her victims. Whatever merit she had for
her claims her plan of pressing them were
daring.
She brought suit against Gould for breach
of promise and asked damages in the sum
OF several hundred thousands OF dollars.
The action caused an immense sensation at
the time and the SIS of New York city.
and the entire country for that matter was
filled for months with the details and de-
velopments. leila Nickolaus, with her aunt
and other relatives who figured in the case,
had their histories told in minutest detail.
and every movement of the woman was
watched and reported. After the event had
ceased to attract attention in New York
It was suddenly revived IN Chicago during
the worlds fair when leila and Howard
met again.
An effort was made at the time to settle
the pending litigation, and Howard Gould
gave the woman a check for $50 900 Then
George Gould interfered, stopped the pay
ment of the check and the whole story was
was that leila suddenly sailed for Europa
and spent several years travelling on the
continent. 1t was generally supposed that
the money for the trip came from the Gould
Golfers. and after society had speculated
over the matter for the proper length of
time leila was dropped for some new scan
dial. Reports came from abroad that the
woman was studying for the stage, and
then again she was billed as a concert
singer who was to startle the world. Even
this sort of gossip had it's run, and for a
couple of years but little has been heard
of Zella Nickolaus.
During the carnival last fall woman ar
rived in Denver from Paris and took up her
residence at downtown house. She had
a large collection of gowns from Worth's
and attracted attention as the most stylish
ly gowned woman in Denver. She answered
only to the name of ''Maysie," and refused
to give any part of her past history Late
in the fall she went to San Francisco, and
spent the winter with the prescribed col
ony. few days ago she was recognized
on the street by a former New Yorker, who
announced that she was none other than
Zella NicSolaus. The woman s friends heard
of the reported recognition and sought some
information from her. She refused TO either
affirm deny her identity. and few days
after the matter became current gossip sud-
denly left the city, stating that she was
going to New York. Since her departure
ii is claimed that convincing proofs of her
identity as leila Nickolaus have been Sc
cured. Instead of going to New York the
woman stopped at Colorado Springs, where
she is now living.