New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-25
A BIG CUSTOMS SEIZURE.
WOMAN on THE ST. PAUL WITH JEW
ELRY AND FINE DRESS GOODS.
INSPECTORS HAD HEARD OF HER PUR-
CHAsEs IN EUROPE AND WERE
WATCHING FOR HER-DECLARED
r,r
NOTHING DUTIABLE.

NOTHING DUTIABLE
The customs officers accomplished one Of the
biggest seizures OF jewelry and wearing APP
parcl shortly after the arrival of the American
liner st Paul yesterday that has been made in
this city In a long time Among the passengers
on the steamship was Mrs Phyllis E Dodge
who. in company with a maid occupied one OF
the most expensive staterooms on the prone
made deck. Mrs Dodge went from this city TO
Europe some time ago and. IT is said. became
well known in Paris. About a month ago. she
disappeared from the boulevards and the resorts
which she had frequented, and the customs au-
thorities at this port who had received some
important information regarding her extensive
purchases Of jewery, learned that she intended
to return to this city AS a result Of this
careful watch for her has been kept by Daniel
J. Dowling Deputy Surveyor OF Customs and
other officers and their vigilance was rewarded
yesterday when they went down the Bay TO
meet the St Paul. for in the list OF passengers
was printed the name of Mrs p. f. Dodge.
DECLARATION CAREFULLY WATCHED
Mrs Dodge's declaration TO the customs Of
fc'als on the vessel was carefully watched.
She stated to them that she had not brought
any dutiable articles with her from Europe. and
Louise, her maid. made a similar statement
AS the vessel was coming up TO her pier. how
ever Mr. Bowling learned that the two women
were busy in their stateroom packing the con-
tents Of jewelry boxes into their handbags Two
Of these boxes were subsequently seized. Upon
the lid Of one Of them stamped, Herbert
Morbet , Faubourg St Hoaore" and upon the
other. Armand Carette, Rue de la Palx'
Paris"
On the arrival OF the ST. Paul at her pier
Mrs Dodge was greeted by two young men, one
Of whom said his name was Wormser. and the
other gave his Smith.
The trio chatted pleasantly together. while
the Government detectives watched closely
every movement Of the young woman and her
maid. The latter seemed to be a trihe nervous.
but Mrs Dodge was apparently hght-hearted
and jolly.
The St. Paul had on board altogether 262 sa-
loon and cabin passengers and in the commo-
ton on the pier the customs men had good
chance 10 observe the suspects without excit-
ing their suspicion. Mrs. Dodge and Louise
had large number Of pieces Of baggage.
/ and Customs Inspector c. J. Corey was
assigned to examine them. Cohey's IN
structions were 10 make a thorough search OF
! Mrs Dodge's luggage for dutiable articles. He
had opened only the first trunk when he dis
covered that the hnery with which 1t was
packed was Of the newest fashion and Of the
| most expensive sort. and should have been de-
| cared as an importation from foreign coun-
| try The contents Of the trunk were worth over
| 81 900 and the law says that foreign purchases
! free Of duty must not exceed 500. Mr.. Dow
ling's attention was Instantly called. and ne
| then took charge OF the case Trunk after
trunk was opened. and found to contain enough
expensive dress goods to stock a Fifth
dressmaker's shop. The dress goods were ap-
| praised at $4,000.
A BIG LOT OF JEwELRY.
! While the examination was being made Mrs.
| Dodge continued to chat with her friends, but
! still she was watching what was going on. The
maid grew more and more nervous After the
examination OF the luggage. Mrs. Dodge
requested to surrender the alligator skin bag
| which she carried in her hand. This ap
! parently an unexpected request and the young
woman's face flushed as she gave II up and the
maid almost swooned. The bag was found 10
contain diamonds and other jewels appraised
at $4,000 Here ls an inventory Of the con-
tents Of the handbag:
! One diamond sunburst.
| one diamond spray pin.
| one pearl collar
| one pearl arrow pin:
| one turquoise bracelet.
! one string pearl necklace
! one pearl ring.
Two pearl and diamond rings.
! one emerald and diamond ring
one diamond and sapphire necklace
one book charm.
one dice charm
One watch and brooch.
one pearl watch chain.
| one ruby butterfly.
One diamond catch.
one diamond scarfpin.
Vest and sleeve buttons
When these costly articles were turned out
on the top Of one Of the trunks the young man
who called himself Wormser began to explain in
! Mrs Dodges behalf His explanation had no
| effect with Deputy Surveyor Bowling, and then
! Smith ioined in the appeal. Words useless.
! and the iewelry and trunksful Of new wearing
! apparel ordered TO be seized.
| The facts OF the case VIII be presented 10 Slas
! c. Croft Surveyor Of the Port. and the United
States District-Attorney tomorrow.
Mrs Dodge is good looking. and was neatly
| dressed in black walking coat. and wore
! black hat. with a plume. she had diamond
! cross suspended about her neck. when II was
decided that she could not have her Daggage 90, or
! jewelry she left the pier in an electric CAD Win
/ her friends.
going on Customs Detectives Brown and Dono-
hue were working on another part OF the pier.
! They suspected a second cabin passenger on the
| liner named Jacob Heck, Of not making proper
! declaration about his possessions. and decided
! 10 search him. In the possession Of the man,
| who was formerly pawnbroker they found a
! diamond chatelaine worth SllV and gold
| and ONYX snuffbOx worth at least S4O These
! articles were seized and Heck allowed 10
! go 10 his home in this city. He very angry
| at the seizure a1d said that The diamond chate-
| laine had his initials or IL and a part Of
! his jewery but he would not tell when or where
! he had bought II In this country.
| When g reporter called last night al No. l04
! West Elghtieth-st. the address given 10 the
! customs officers by Mrs. Dodge. he was met al
! the door by a coored girl. who said that Mrs.
| Dodge had retired and would not see any one.
| The girl said that she hal been hired only yes
| terday and knew nothing about her mistress.