The evening times., 1899-01-04
CHARGED WITH FRAUD
THROUGH THE MAILS
ARREST OF A BARON AND WIFE
Taken I'm Custody at Jacksonville,
Fla, Upon Complaints Made
i'm Chicago.

Jacksonville, Fla, Jan. 4.-St. Augustine
was excited yesterday by the arrest there
OF Baron and Baroness Debara, OF Chicago,
by United States postal authorities, on
charge OF extensive frauds in connection
with an Edison Photograph Agency,
which they are alleged to have run there
this summer, with a profit of more than
$4,000 from persons in England and Scot
land. The Debaras came to St. Augustine
about fourteen months ago and purchased
some $4,000 worth. OF property. They
fitted up a handsome villa as their home
naming il ''Sansare Hall"
Money was spent without stint in fur
nishing and adorning their rooms and
walls. The house was surrounded with an
artistic Japanese fence, hugh gong was
at the porter's lodge, upon which all call
ers announced their arrival with big
drumstick. Their servants were hand
somely arrayed in livery, and everything
was on grand scale.
They began many entertainments and
soon were rated as social leaders. The
Baron seemed about thirty-seven years
old, polished and charming as host The
baroness, who is of Japanese extraction
and spoke broken English, made friends
everywhere.
They gave many entertainments and
from reports thence attracted much at
tention. The Baron started printing Of
flce and began the publication of Chicago
Society, weekly paper, with the Baroness
as editress.
Among the advertisements was one an
nouncing that agents were wanted for a
profitable article, but not naming H. Tais
advertisement was also inserted it is
charged, IN scores of papers in England
Scotland and other countries. When the
answers arrived they were turned over 10
the Edison Phonograph Agency" an
other concern in Dearborn Street To the
addresses of the replies circulars were
sent making offers of agencies for phono-
graphs on the "nickle in the slot prime
ple giving big figures as to profits. all
that was required being a deposit OF TWO
TO ten pounds, depending upon the style
of machine wanted Postal orders and
bank drafts soon began arriving in guam
tity. One day in the Chicago Office more
than $1,000 was paid for these postal or
ders alone.
From New York letter was sent in
November 10 all who had sent money,
saying that the machines would be sent
soon.
From legal firm in Chicago. two
weeks later, a letter was sent announcing
that the firm had failed.
Baron Debara then. it is charged told
the postoffice authorities to send his ma
to Greenwich, Conn. II has been ascer-
tanned since that mail remains there un-
called for. Soon after this the coup'e dis
appeared from Chicago. The postal au-
thorities found that they had gone TO St
Augustine
W. S Meyer. special inspector. and
William Hogan, registered mail carrier
Of Chicago arrived this week and went
over TO St. Augustine yesterday They
identified the Debaras. Warrants were
sworn out, and today United States Mar
shal Horr arrested them. Both took it
very calmly. saying the officers were MS
taken as TO their identity, and that they
would be cleared soon. They were
brought here and arraigned before Unitel
States Commissioner Goddell. and held
for further hearing tomorrow
They are under guard in hotel here
Tomorrow they will ask for bail, but the
men from Chicago hope to take them
there for trial
Their property in ST. Augustine is said
to be worth $4,000 or $50 600