The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-06-20
A REMARKABLE SWINDLE.

This story came out at the time of |
the Martinique disaster in which 10000
lives were lost to France. But the
Partisan newspapers put the Marti-
nique news on an inside page and
printed this story in their most con-
spicuous columns Nor were the Pa
risians necessarily heartless in showing
less concern in the volcanic eruption
5000 miles away than in the social erup-
ton in their own town. A toy torpedo
beneath your feet may cause greater
perturbation of nerve ganglia than the
explosion of a Krakatoa half around
the earth.
The story. first of all, will be told as
| 1t was believed for twenty years by
the leading lawyers and bankers of
France; and, finally. the real truth OF
the case will appear Some time in
the '70s an American millionaire named
Robert Henry Crawford was travelling
in the south of France. At a certain
railroad station he was the victim OF
a stroke of apoplexy. a Toulouse peas
ant girl, Therese Daurignac, who was
! about to enter a third-class carriage,
noticed Crawfords collapse, and at
some personal risk, jumped into his
! apartment, where she succeeded in re-
storing him to consciousness, perhaps
saving his life. After that she re-
manned with him and nursed the man
during his convalescence. Some time
| between 1873 and 1888 the American
millionaire died, and, according to
will dated at Nice, September 6. 1877,
| he bequeathed his fortune OF 900
to Therese Daurignac. This immense
fortune at once raised the status of the
Daurignac family, which changed it's
a N..hil ha cir MI
Therese soon was married to the son
of NJ. Humbert, a native of Toulouse,
one of the greatest jurists of his gen.
Grafton. He was for some time the
French Minister of Justice. The
younger Hunbert, husband of Therese,
has been for many years the represen-
tatve of the department of Seine-&-
/ Disc in the French Chamber of Depu-
ties. After the marriage took place the
couple established themselves in
splendid Paris residence, and also
bought a magnificent country place
near Narbonne.
But the Humberts were not left in
undisturbed possession of the American
millonaire's money. One day madame
received a call from two strangers
named Robert Crawford and Henry
Crawford, who said they We're nephews
of the lamented Robert Henry Craw-
ford. AS might be expected, they
promptly produced a second will, dated
the same day in the same year as the
other will, which provided that each
nephew should receive a third of the
estate while the other third should go.
not to Therese, who had become the
beautiful Nine. Humbert, but to her
sister, Marie. 1t was stipulated, how
ever that the two nephews should in
vest in France enough money to pro-
vide Therese a monthly allowance OF
$4,000 during her lifetime. OF course the
beautiful Nine. Humbert was in des-
pair. There she was, threatened with
, an allowance cut down to $4,000 a month
or facing expensive litigation in the
courts in behalf OF her rights Why
won't American millionaires be salts
ned with one will-at least, with one
will a day! The Crawford nephews,
6 however, proved very accommodating.
!, They were already r'i'I'onaires in their
: own right. and did not want more
money-which is so like Americans.
:, But they did want to fulfill their un-
y cles dying wish. That was for a Craw-
!, ford to marry a d'Aurignac. Just give
II your consent and we will not contest
/, the WILL" they said. So 1t was ar
- ranged that both nephews should be
. suitors for the hand of the fair Marie
the sister of Nine. Humbert. who In
good time should choose between them
and link forever the houses of Craw.
ford and d'Aurignac. Meanwhile. II
was agreed that the Crawford fortune
consisting of gilt-edged bonds, SHOULD
be placed in a safe-deposit box, art
that Nine. Humbert, pending Marie
choice Of husband, should draw al
income OF $4,000 a year. II Nine
Humbert, who was to have the custod,
. of the key TO the safe. should TAX
. more than her stipulated allowance
she would forfeit all her rights.
The sister Marie now became tn
,f strategic point in the affair. She coult
. not decide which nephew to marry
The nephews began a series of law
ie suits TO compel her to make a choice
he but Marie is now over 40 and still un
p wed. AS the 10000. 900 was tied uI
20 pending the execution of the agree
ment, Nine. Humbert soon began a Sc
ries of loans from bankers and he
debts assumed enormous proportions
lie Her promises to pay were accepted gen
l. orally, for they were endorsed by Ma
RE an heir under the second will, an
!, the security of 1000 900 contained il
ar the safe deposit box was considere
good. In the space of twentytw