New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-06
RETURNED AND WAS CAUGHT
GEORGE FRUH. A BROOKLYN CON-
TRACTOR. ARRESTED


PECULIAR TRANSACTION IN WHICH A CASKET
OF DIAMONDS FIGURED-HIs LIABILITIES
SAID To RE BETWEEN $4,000 AND 100000.
George Fruh the Brooklyn contractor who
disappeared on December %. owing to Moses Ca
hen e. Son. OF No. Al Canal-st., about $40 600
was arrested in Tompkins ave. last night at
O'clock, by Detective Sergeants Harrington and
Ruddy on charge of grand larceny. He
taken to Police Headquarters In Brooklyn. and
later lodged In Raymond Street jail. The war
rant was sworn out by Moses Cahen & Son.
pawnbrokers and issued by Police Justice
Brenner, before whom Fruh will be arraigned
this morning Fruh had nothing to say with
reference to his case. beyond asserting that he
had supposed that in his absence from the city
his friends had adjusted any financial difficulty
he might be in.
According to current rumor Fruh's liabilities
Will amount to between $4,000 and 100000.
The transaction which brought about his arrest
was strange one. Fruh for years has had
hobby for diamonds. Although still young
man he has had the handling OF a good deal of
money on account Of his contracts. and when
ever he had a few hundred dollars to spare he
bought diamonds. He became known among
his friends a diamond collector. and he had
accumulated gems valued NJ between S4o,oU
and $4,000 When he in need Of cash in
his business he would pawn his diamonds at
Moses Cahen & Sons.
They began to look upon Fruh's little casket
Of precious stones as his most valuable asset.
and he was a welcome and trusted visitor at
their place Of business. Fruh has been having
much difficulty with his contracts in the last
six months. so his competitors say. He owed
% Cody Brothers. according to James A Cody.
,lore than $4,000. about $4,000 Of which was
loan remainder is entered
against Fruhs contract work, as liens in favor
II Cody Brothers. and is payable before he
can draw any money on certain pieces of work
which about completed.
About n month ago Fruh walked briskly into
Moses Cehen & Sons pawnskop in Canal-st., and
said
We'll. good morning, Moses. I'm here again
with my little box and l want to leave 1t with
you and draw on it for much as you Will
allow me"
1t was agreed according to Moses Cahen. who
told the story last night at the detectives office,
that Fruh was 10 draw $1,000 on the box OF
diamonds the value of which was between
$4,000 and $4,000 AS matter Of fact. he
drew checks aggregating $4,000. Receiving
word that he had exceeded the terms of the
agreement he sent for Samuel Cahen. on De
cember % to come to his Office in Brooklyn
20 see him Samuel Cahen complied with the
request and Fruh told him that he was ready
10 take out the diamonds and that he would
give him two checks one for $4,000 and one for
SIS 800 and for the balance he would give him
a short term note in consideration Of which the
diamonds were TO be back 10 him on that
day Samuel Cahen sent his brother Moses with
the diamonds and instead OF the checks. Fruh
offered notes to him. .
This isn't according TO agreement. SAID
Cahen Il was get checks"
Il told Sam that 1t would be notes He must
have misunderstood me- or you must have mis-
understood him. It viii be all right anyway
You know me well enough to know that note
is as good a check with me-
After little gOOd-natured parleNing, Cahen
went away with the notes. leaving the diamonds
with Fruh As soon he got back TO the Of
fee his brother Samuel suspected trCkery. and
hurried over to Brooklyn to find Fruh. but he
had disappeared From that time until last
night nothing had been seen of him.
Frlh lived at No 955 Bedford ave, and his
house has been watched nearly all the time
since the warrant issued on December 81
Fruh's young wife left the city with him. He
was seen near mis- house In Bedford ave, last
night Harrington and Ruddv succeeded in
capturing him in Tompkins-ave not far dis
| tant. He has spent most of the time since he
left the city In Stroudsburg. Penn. where he
has relatives.
When asked last night what he had done with
the diamonds he had nothing 10 say. 1t Is said
that Fruh owes several thousand dollars TO
Michael J. Dady. and among his other creditors
are John x O'Rourke If the HYGIENE Ice
Company. Cody Brothers. contractors. and Mr..
Williams Of Troy, slate contractor.