The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13
TURKEYS RICHEST MAN.
An Armenian Who Gained Wealth
Through Two AssassinatiOns.

w. E. Curtis, in Chicago Record.
The richest man in Turkey is an Ar
menian. who is naturalized American citi-
zen, and lived in this country for several
years If the stories told in the diplomatic
circle of Constantinople are true he came
by his money in a peculiar manner 1t will
be remembered that the Sultan AziZ was as
sassinated in 1876. For several years prior to
his death he accumulated all the money and
bonds he could obtain, which he stored
away IN his palace as reserve fund in
case of war with Russia, which had been
impending for some time. The amount of
his accommodations has been Variously esti-
mated at from $10,000O00 to $4,000 900, and
was undoubtedly considered in excess of the
latter sum- Most of it was in English,
French and German securities that drew in
tereSt and were easily convertible at any
bank in any city of Europe.
Although his assassination was a mys-
terry, it is believed to have been inspired if
it was not actually accomplished by Aidad
Pasha, the minister of finance, from ava
rlcious motives. He alone was aware of
the magnitude of the Sultan's hoard and
the place of it's concealment, and after his
sovereigns death, by virtue of his position
he took charge of the fund and pretended
to deposit it in the public treasury. But it
is believed by those most familiar with
Turkish affairs that he retained for his own
benefit large part-perhaps one-half of it
which, for motives of self-protectOn, he in
trusted to the Armenian banker / have
named, and directed him to take the bonds
to London and Paris and there deposit them
IN such manner that their ownership
could not be traced to Midad Pasha. 1t is
also believed to have been the latter's in
tentions to withdraw portion of this prop
cry from concealment as soon as he felt safe
in doing So
But not long afterward Midad Pasha was
himself aSSasSinated in the bOldeSt and most
astounding manner. He was attending
meeting of the Ministry, when he was in
formed that a messenger was awaiting him
in the anterOOm with a confidential COM
municatiOn that must be delivered immedi-
ately and to himself alone. Midad left his
colleagues and entered the ante room where
r4feafa MIN
dagger into his heart. The palace guard,
hearing his death cry and the fall of his
body, Immediately rushed to the room and
shot the assassin before he could escape.
Although the police continued their inVesti-
cations for months, they were never able
to Identify the assassin or associate any
one else with the crime, but the knowing
ones believe he was a ruffian imported from
the mountains by the Armenian banker re-
ferred to, and was handsomely paid TO COM
nit the deed On the evening of Midads
assassination the Armenian merchant went
to Midad's palace and informed his widow
that there were concealed in a certain
strong box certain papers that would con-
meet her husband with a conspiracy against
arrest and imprisonment of the entire FAM
lily and the confiseatiOn of the property IL
they were discovered. The frightened
widow, already beside herself with excite
ment because of the assassination. begged
him to search her husbands papers and de-
stroy ali questionable or suspicious doeu-
ments, de spent the night at this work
are believed to have been the evidences of
Midad's ownership in the bonds that have
made the Armenian the richest man in
Turkey.