The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-06
A BLACKMAILINC PLOT
Frustrated by New York's Central
Office Detectives. ,
SPANISH OFFICIAL IMPLICATED.

1t Is Asserted That Consul Genera
Arturo Baldasano y Topete Gave th
Would-be Blackmallers Pointers t.
Usc Against a Brazilian Millionaire
New York, Dec. GA plot to black
mail Senior Don Eugenio de Farii
TeiXeira, q Brazilian millionaire, whicl
had been frustrated by the central of
flee detectives, was revealed yestcrda!
by the preliminary police court pro
ceedlngs, in the prosecution Of William
B. Turnbull, who claims to be an &C
countant. and William Elford Gould
who has been known as a Wall street
speculator. The name of Arturo Bal.
dasano Topete. Spanish consul gen.
eral, having been mentioned in connec.
tion with the scheme to extort the sum
of $4,000 from Senior Teixeira, q sub
poena was issued for his attendance
at the examination In the case of
Gould and Turnbull, which has been
set down for tomorrow. The prisoners
were committed to the Tombs prison in
default of bail. and 1t is said that at
the police court investigation Turnbull
cution, and by disclosing the full de-
tails Of the conspiracy fasten the guilt
on his confederate, Gould, and impli-
cate the high Spanish government Of
flcial
The money was demanded from Senor
Teixeira under the threat to publish
"his life's history" and the alleged fact
that he had violently assaulted his wife
while she was in delicate condition.
The detectives had interviews with
Turnbull during the course of the nego-
tiations to extort the money the
amount of which was finally reduced to
$2,250, and are in possession of the let
ters written to the Brazilian millionaire.
Senior Don Teixeira, who is a Wild
over, arrived here in October, 1896 with
his mother, Nine. Maria Louisa Teix-
ezra, from Spain. 1t was then an
nounced that the Teixeiras intended to
invest their fortune of about $50, 100000
in this country. They spent $4,000 in
the erection of mansion at the corner
of West End avenue and One Hun
dred and Fifth street, this city. and
there mother and son have since lived
quietly.
Consul Baldasamo comes into the
case because of his friendship for Gould.
He gave to Gould letter of recom-
mendation, which Gould presented to
Teixeira in applying for the position OF
private secretary. When a detective,
posing as the agent of Teixelra, con-
Quoted negotiations with Turnbull,
the latter brought Gould into the case
Then the detective inquired at the
Spanish consulate concerning Gould.
The consul said that he considered
Gould eminently fitted to act as secre-
tary to Senor Teixeira.
This was the substance of the letter
of recommendation which Gould had
presented. The visit of the detective
to the consul generals office tended to
block the plan to fleece senor Teixeira,
Turnbul said. because the visit had
become known to Turnbull and Gould
and they were warned to be careful
'"The Spanish consul" said Detective
Valley, notified Gould that I was a
detective and Gould warned Turnbull.
Gould admitted that he had told Turn
bull about Senior Telxeira, and that
The Spanish consul had told him the
alleged facts of the inside history of
he Brazilian millionaire's life.
NM ,miafppHaldt pplat tt5Allfop erseifa sefa Ras lxed up
n a scandal in Brazil and that there
was an indictment against him. Gould
also said that he knew positively that
he Brazilian government had made
application to Washington to take
Senior Teixeira back there and have
he treaty between the United States
and Brazil altered if necessary to do
t."
Senior Teixeira has reputation as
IN artist. He painted the celebrated
picture entitled "The First Communion
IL America" which took prizes in
Paris, Madrid and Chicago. He is a
irst cousin Of Dom Pedro, once en-
,eror of Brazil. Senior TelXeira is re-
Juted to own rich gold mines in the
'epublic of Brazil.
Consul General Baldasano. when told
If the arrest of Gould seemed greatly
'hocl,cd.
Il know Mr.. Gould" he said. "He
S an educated, courteous gentleman,
md an honor to his country. l know
here must be some serious mistake.
Ir. Gould came to me one day several |
months ago and asked my opinion
lhout European art schools. l knew
title about art. and told him SO, but
gave him letter of introduction to
senior Teixeira, with whom l happened
o be slightly acquainted, and who is
rery familiar with that subject. We
alked of Senior Teixeira, and 1 mem
ioned the scandalous stories which had
,een circulated about him."
The consu general admitted that
le had been visited by a detective in
with the case, but denied
With much Indignation that he had
warned Gould.
When asked if he would obey sum-
mons to testify in the case he evaded
he question, with a shrug of his shoul-
Iers, by saying: "They cannot COM
,el me to give any testimony"
Asked what he would do II placed
.nder arrest, he waxed warm and de-
Jared his intention to defy any such
procedure. Then with Il smile he added: |
There is no danger of that"