The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-06
BLACKMAILERS BALKED
SPANISH CONSUL GENERAL AT NEW
YORK MIXED IN A SCANDAL.
His PrOtege in n Scheme to Bleed
the Brazilian Millionaire,
Senior Teixeira.

NEW YORK, Dec. 5.-A plot to blackmail
Senior Don Eugenio De Faria Teixeira, a
Brazilian millionaire, which had been frus-
trated by the central Office detectives, was
revealed to-day by the preliminary Police
Court proceedings in the prosecution of
William b. TurEbull, who claims to be an
accountant, and William Elford Gould, who
has been known as Wall-street speculator.
The name of Aruro Baldasano Topete,
Spanish consul general having been men,
toned in connection with the scheme to ex-
tort the sum Of 800 from Senor Teixeira,
subpoena was issued for his attendance
at the examination in the case of Gould and
Turnbull, which has been set down for
Tuesday. The prisoners were committed to
the Tombs prison in default of bail, and
it is said that at the Police Court inves-
tigation Turnbull will become a witness
for the prosecution and by disclosing the
full details of the conspiracy, fasten the
guilt on his confederate, Gould and impli-
cate the high Spanish government official
The money was demanded from Senior Tex-
EZRA under the threat to publish his lifes
history and the alleged fact that he had
violently assaulted his wife while she was
in a delicate condition. The detectives had
several interviews with Turnbull during the
course of the negotiations to extort the
money, the amount of which was finally
reduced to $225O, and are in possession of
the letters written to the Brazillion mil
ionaire.
Senor Don Texeira, who is a widower, ar
rived here in October, 1896, with his moth
er, Nine. Maria Luisa Teixeira, from Spain.
1t was then announced that the Teixeiras
intended to invest their fortune of about
900 in this country. They spent half
million dollars in the erection of a mansion
at the corner of West End avenue and
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES street this city.
There mother and son have lived quietly.
Consul Baldasamo comes into the case be-
cause OF his friendship for Gould. He gave
to Gould letter of recommendation,
which Gould presented to Teixeira in apply
ing for the position of private secretary.
When detective, posing as the agent of
Teixeira, conducted negotiations with Turn
bull the latter brought Gould into the case.
Then the detective inquired at the Spanish
that he considered Gould eminently fitted
to act as secretary to Senior Teixeira. Senior
Teixeira has G. reputation as an artist. He
painted the celebrated picture entitled THE
First Communion in America" which took
prizes in Paris, Madrid and Chicago. He
peror of Brazil. Senior Teixera is reputed to
own rich gold mines in the republic of
Brazil.
Consul General Baldasano, when told of
the arrest of Could seemed greatly
shocked. II knew Mr.. Gould" he said He
is an educated, courteous gentleman, and
an honor to his country. know there must
be some Serious mistake. Mr.. Gould came
to me one day, several months ago, and
asked my opinion about European art
schools | know little about art and told
him so, but / gave him the address of
Senior Teixeira. with whom l happened to
be slightly acquainted, and who is very
familiar with that subject. 1--WE talked of
Senor Teixeira, and l mentioned the
Scandalous stories which had been circu-
lated about him. Why should not /? SIM
ply gave him what was common property.
l eventually gave Mr.: Gould a letter of in
PRODUCTION TO Senior Teixeira''
nen Ihe consul eonsul general admitted that he had
with the case, but denied with much in
dlgnation that he had warned Gould
When asked If he would obey summons
70 testlfy In the case he evaded the aues-
ton with shrug of his shoulders by saw
ing; They cannot compel me to give any
testimony" '
Asked what he would do if placed under
arrest, he waXed warm again and declared
his intention to defy any such procedure
Then, with a smile, he added: There is no
danger Of that"