The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-21
BI)NI CTS ROASTED
French Lawyer Shows Him
Up in Real Light
WORKING THE GOULDS
He Is a Disgrace TO the Name
of CaSteIIane.

Paris, Dec. 9o.-The suit of Charles
Wertheimer, the London 0ric-a-brao deal
er, against Count Boni de CastelIane to
recover payment for art objects sold to
the count, began today in the first civil
chamber. The transaction taken as a test
case involved the sum Of 1886 francs.
The hearing was devoted to the argu-
ments of counsel None Of the parties
were IN court
| Wertheimer's counsel. Maitre Fouch-
aud, in q speech, lasting several hours,
made a most vigorously worded reply to
| the Castellane contentious. He said there
was nothing serious in the observations
and criticisms behind which the Castel-
/ lanes were screening their temporary in
/ solvency."
He denounced the counts conduct
scathingly, referring to his ''pretexts 70
delay payments" and did not hesitate to
accuse him of telling untruths. Counsel
| explained how the count cheerfulIy ac-
copied all the transactions, expressing
/ satisfaction until the last moment, when
he turned and accused Wertheimer Of
usury. Maitre Fouchauld presented details
of the various transactions and replied to
the contention that the articles were sold
at exaggerated prices. He explained that
Count Boni De Castellane sold a number
of articles and Wertheimer asked the
buyer at what price he would resell
them Counsel quoted one article in
batch which the count asked him
CWertheimer) to sell on the evening Of
his departure for America. Count De
Castellanes counsel said he asked higher
price than he had paid for the article.
Wertheimer, nevertheless, sold the batch
at the counts figures.
Nothing could be more painful, asserted
Maitre Fouchald than the steps taken
by the Castellanes to avoid the suits.
Who could reproach Wertheimer for plac-
ing confidence in the man who had con-
tracted marriage with the richest heiress
in the world, one whose fortune the press
described as fabulous. The count, when
hard pressed, told Wertheimer Mr.. Gould
ould pay.
The counts conduct at this period, ac-
cording to counsel, resembled that Of
cad. He was surprised at his wrong
doing, and requested his creditors to keep
from Mr. Gould the real extent of his
Indebtedness. Later the count affirmed
at his own brother would pay Werth-
e-mer, but through his brothers lawyers,
not through his (the counts hands.
What an effront, said counsel Count
Boni was thus obliged to admit that his
own brother would not trust him with
money"
Maitre Foulcald here conrasted Count
BoIds conduct with the glorious tradi-
tons Of the Castellane family. One felt
grieved, he said, to find such falsehoods
written with the pen Of a Castellane.
Count De Castellane wired Wertheimer
after his arrival in New York that he
was well satisfied with the voyage,
which counsel said Wertheimer inter
preted as meaning that the Goulds would
finance him.
Counsel for Count De CastelIane, Nal
/ ire Bonnat. acting for Couderts Bros. Of
New York, contended that Wertheimer
had been striving to prevent the case
from coming before the courts, but the
result had been unfortunate for him as
the nature of Wertheimer's business
must be exposed.
Maitre Bonnat said George J. Gould
considered Werthemer gave credit to a
young married couple who had no thor
( ough comprehension Of the value OF
money, on terms very advantageous to
! himself
Wertheimer, counsel contended, while
! giving Count De Castellane time to pay,
offered to make exchanges, whereby he
took back the finest objects of his col
| lection. Wertheimer had no right 10 say
! Count De Castellane was pursuing a dis
honorable course.
Counsel claimed that Wertheiner had
abused the confidence Of the young peo-
pie and Il the latter had committed fol-
/ lies. it could he said that for the last
/ eighteen months they had been cruelty
atoning for them Moreover. .hencaforth
they would devote themselves to wiplng
out the Indebtedness.
Before the conclusion Of the argument
the case was adjourned for a week
The total sum involved in the transac-
tons is $4,000 francs.
Count Boni de CasteHane has replied
with fling a counter suit. demanding
full statement Of ali transactions. claim
ing that various objects admittedly auth
entic, were sold at scandaIonsly exag-
garated prices and that many articles
were represented as authentic antiquities
when they were really limitations mol
ern or useless. while IN q series Of ex-
changes in 1s99, Wertheimer took back
number OF articles at prices greatly ia-
ferior to their true worth The count.
therefore, demands reductl n ~ ths
ds'5t, Professionally estimated 20 b7 az
least two million francs and the rttu.
ton Of the objects taken in exchange bv
Wertheimer under the penalty n a thou
and francs FOR each DAYS delay in ,ae
restitution OF the day % Judgment Fin
ally he claims damages 70 the amount 81
3lo oo france
Count de CasteUane also asks in case
the judges decide is is necessary 70 thr9w
further fight on the ease. that ez7er-s
shall be appointed 70 aprraise TIE a-,icl
involved. The appointment ~ those ez-
perts is the frs- aim II counsel Cr
Count Dc Castelane. The 51dses vI
PROBABLY decide this point to-day.
~ cTNEEA