The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-08-06
HE is A FLEECER
MAN WHO ROBBED THE FAMOUS
SUGAR BOWL" IN PRISON.

Parisian Banker Who Fastened BIS Loni
Talons Into Poor, Foolish. Rich Ma,
/. Lebaudy is Placed In jail In New Yorl
City His Connection with the Rscl
Young Fool and How He Helped Hin
Part with His Great wealth-CsreeI
of Max Lebaudy and How 1t Astounded
France.
New York. Aug. 5.-The Herald says
In cell on the third tier Of the Tomb:
Prison Is Guillaume Balensi, banker
broker, speculator, horse owner, project
or and one OF the citerie of men who
fastened Their talons on the unfortunate
Max Lebaudy, the sugar bowl Of the
French capital little more than two
years ago, and dragged that poor young
| man TO his death. Such is the informa-
ton that was brought to the authorities
yesterday, which the Herald is able to
give exclusively today.
Balensi is not known in the Tombs by
his right name. He is entered on the
prison records as William A. Berwood,
residence at the Plaza Hotel, home in
Philadelphia, married, French and held
| in $4,000 bail to await examination by
the grand jury on next Wednesday.
| Clad in a cricket cap and a blue, gaily
| dotted blazer, with the careless manner
Of man who, perhaps discontented with
| his present detention, is still certain that
ne will not be deprived Of his liberty
| long, he is to a certain extent a prison.
| er OF mark
The Herald more than ofrtnight ago
| told that Bellwood had been arrested at
the instance OF Marcus & Co., jewelers.
+ Of Union Square, for having procured
gems to the amount of $3.50 and hav
| ing pawned them to spend the money
| OF the race tracks. and of the pathetic
experience Of his wife. who discovered
that her husband in this alien country
had deprived her children of parental
respect by his acts. The story seemed
to tell Of brilliant business man, with
success within finger touch, sacrificing
his name, reputation and his future for
the passion Of seductive turf.
Even Mr.. Marcus seemed to feel SYM
pathy for the man who had betrayed
his confidence. Bellwood was contrite
He confessed everything and offered to
make all his mistakes good. The fact
that he was Frenchman in distress be-
cause Of too prevalent vice, yet one
who had established an excellent reputa-
ton for himself in Philadelphia, the city
he had chosen as his home, aroused
something Of popular interest. The fall
seemed SO sheer and the causes for it
50 unnecessary.
The informatio brought to the au-
thor ties yesterday, however, casts an
altogether different light upon the career
Of this seemingly unfortunate man. He
had arrived in this city about two years
ago, apparently unknown. He was I'M
accompanied by either his wife or any
member Of his family. He was in the
possession Of a considerable sum of
money, how much is not known, al
though at that time surm'ses put IL in
the neighborhood of 100000. He went
to quiet hotel down town, and rather
avoided the resorts of the French coll
ony. He was secretive and made few
friends. He said that he was French
man Of property who had come TO this
country for the purpose Of engaging in
trade. His statements were accepted
without question, and he was received
by several dealers in jewelry and OBJ
jets d art on mis- own representa- tons.
He did considerable business here, and
later was joined by a woman and three
children. 'Bellwood," as the man was
known, presented them as his family.
Then they went to Philadelphia and
where go much taste and knowledge in |
selection was shown in the display OF |
the bijouterie that It acquired some rep
utation among persons Of fashion
1t was new experience for this mod |
ern emigre. He had not been accustomed |
70 the quiet life of shop keeper. The |
fascinations and risks OF the old life In /
Paris preyed upon his senses until his |
power OF resistance gave way Then |
he, who had elready become notorious |
II the gayest city in the world. began his |
second career. In France he had played |
his game 70 a finish which compelled |
him TO become fugitive. In this coun.
try he entered upon life OF outward |
hoiACSNS diiu iitctcn pdSSiCH IOT gam |
bling which has led him behind the bars
of the Tombs and may send him as an
offender to the country of his
first adoption.
Gllaume BalsnS was "Bellwood."
Speaking English as well as he did, Civ.
ing evidence OF a very slight accent, he
might have imposed on almost any one
by his ease OF expression. He was ac-
quainted not only with English and |
French; Italian was mis- native tongue.
for ne was OF Italian-Hebrew stock. and
Wen. - Paris many years ago and there
became na aturallZed Frenchman.
His early career IN Paris is not known
here. He told me that his people in
France were wealthy and respected erd
ths. they were engaged even now In en-
deavoring to extricate him from the diff
cult position ne was IN at the time he
left Paris. At any rate. he d-ifted 10
the calling Of his cho-ce, and became
known about the bourse as a shrewd
broker on orders for the Agents
j Change. Al one time he had a consid-
erable connection. He was shrewd. hav-
Ing acquired a knowledge OF financial
conditions IN the offices OF three or four
well known members OF the Bourse He
made money rapidly, and then he had a
furry OF bad luck with a turn OF the
market and met his fate.
He became associated With some men
who can be regarded only as chevaters
ie industrie- The word went about :ha.
pigeon had flown into the Cen erni- t.
lently worth the pllfcking. Poor. fool
sh Max Lebaudy. loaded with his mill