Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-26
RESUME OF HUMBERT SWINDLE
Woman supports Magnificent style
on the Strength of Myth
ical Fortune.

Copyright, 1902 by Press Publishing Coz
PARIS, May 25.-CNew York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram.)-In connection
with the famous Humbert swindle case,
which is engrossing all Paris, an interesting
resume OF the family, particularly Of the
central figure OF this fantastic romance,
Mrs. Humbert, is given by the Echo de
Paris. This woman, who has for years
supported such magnificent style on the
strength OF the mythical Crawford fortune,
OF which she was supposed to be trustee,
was a Nile. D'Auvignac. She was born in
Toulouse In 1850, Of a modest family Of
small merchants. Her Eother kept a no.
tion shop in the SANG house that NJ. Hum
bert, pere. then = professor of the faculty
Of law. occupied. N~eighborly relations
brought on the marriage between the son
and Mile. D'Auvignac. The father aban-
doned the instruction in law for politics,
where he made a magnificent fortune rap
idly. His son and dsughter-in-law shared
it. The father was elected deputy and did
not delay TO become minister. He wa a
member OF the Fallieres combination, where
he received the portfolio of Justice January
30-August u, $3.50. This passing to the
chancellory procured for him the eminent
post OF the president of the court accounts.
Naturally he remarked the suddenly ac-
CURED wealth Of his nation. Some say he
was wholly ignorant of its source. Others
that he was the first organizer OF the
scheme. NJ. Humbert belonged to that first
group OF political men who governed France
from 1873 to 1885. An active Freemason,
he played an important role. He was
closely linked with NJ. Henri Brisson. who
appears to have remained faithful 10 their
friendship since the evening before HIS de-
parture for Msrseilles.
When the Crawford case came on the
tapis he had withdrawn into the court OF
accounts and connded to some OF his col
leagues the marvellous fortune that had
befallen his daughter-inlaw, feigning sur
prise and emotion.
His son played in life and In the affair
a minor role, although an important one,
since he gave to his wife necessary marital
authorization for innumerable acts she
passed TO the notAries. He was deputy
and exhibited at the salon. The star part
belonged to Nine. Humbert. 1t was she
who conducted the affair. 1t was she who
gave to the family the necessary pride to
command credit for It In the world. She
was never pretty nor elegant. She ordered
her toilets from the best dressmakers OF
Paris and paid her bills without regarding
the details. Her greatest display of luxury
was her residence. on the Avenue de Ia
Grande Armee. bo~ught-but not paid for
OF the Count Branicki for s4OO. 900 francs,
and her Chateau Des Faux Wives, situated
near FontRinebleau. In the Hotel de la
Grande Armee. furnished with rare fortune
and pictures by old masters (copies. 1t is
clalmed). Nine. Humbert having sold the
originals. she gave receptions where the
greater part OF social Paris crowded. Al
Faux Wives they hunted.
Nine. Humber had one Of the best boxes
Of the opera, having borne IL away tri-
umphsntly from the Greek minister, NJ.
Del Yannis. To be charitable was part OF
her program. She gave literally to two
brothers, who were but hgureheAds in the
affair. Nine. Humbert declared that the
Crawfords were inimieRl to her because
she refused 10 marry one Of them.