The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-23
PARIS GREAT SAFE FRAUDS


Madrid, December 20.-Madame Hum
bert, her husband and daughter Eva
and Madame DAurignac. the brother
and sister-in-iaw or Madame Humberx
who became notorious sn connec-
ton with the great safe frauds I'm
Paris, have been arrested here. They
had been in Madrid since May eth.
Marie D'Aurignac was elso arrested.
The police suspected a house on the
Gale Ferry. Sometime yesterday Ro-
main D'Aruginac was seen to enter the
building. A se1rch warrant was OBJ
tained and the house was surrounded.
After some difficulty the police were
admitted and arrested the long sought
Tor defaaISers. The prisoners profestek
that they were the victims Of infamous
proceedings. They threatened to get
even" with certain persons In France
and said they had come to Madrid direct
from PARIS.
Mile Eva became hysterical and Nine
Humbert ciaspel Marie D'Aurignac and
her daughter In ner arms. pleading with
the police for lie love of God not To
The police made an inventory of the
contents Il the Apartments and found a
parcel OF jewels valued at q 600, a
couple OF lottery tickets and about Sis
In cash. Seals were then attacher to
the house and tie whole family were
removed to jail and were placed at the
a1Rssl'sa Ts poies @ a sssbees rsnsa as sYesssssos
having disposed of important papers I'm
the lavatories while delaying the entry
Of the officers. The family tried to es-
cape by tie windows but failed, a. the
house was cordoLed.
The prefect Of police subsequently
had an audience Of King Alfonso and
| reported the capture. The king con-
graduated the prefect. saying: eel re-
3ofce that our pniice have been able tn
render service TO France"
The prsfect sad he had known of the
presence of the Humbcrts for q week,
but delayed tak.ER action until he was
assured tnat he had the whole party
| Gagged.
| The Numbers maintain they are In
| nocent, declare they themselves have
] been victimiZed and say they desire To
| return to France and defend themselves
against the charges.
The interest OF all Paris on May eth
| was centered on an empty safe at 6
avenue de La Grand Arme. II was sup
posed to contain s20. .000. 900 left by Rob
ert Crawford said to be IAN American
millionaire" This sum was alleged 70
be held in trust by Madame Theresa
| Humbert who under lar. Crawford's
first will was constituted his sole lega-
tee and on the strength OF her title 20
| the fictitious vast estate, succeeded ia
borrowing over S12 100000 from bankers,
| money lenders and others In Francs
and Belgium Eventually an investiga-
ton was started. the Numbers and
| others connected with them In the op-
erations fed from Paris and May 9th,
when the chief OF the detective Depart
ment OF Paris M. Cochefort opened tlae
safe II brought TO light the greatest
swind1e of the CENTURY for the safe was
found to contain nothing but An old
jewel box. scme old papers and the Of
fetal seals which cad made the swfndIe
possible, the fortune" having nnder ths
terms Of a second viii been represented
as being held In trust until Nile Dan
| rgnac, Nine Humbert's niece attained
her majority, when all the heirs men,
toned I'm the two wills were to come tc
IN aMhcable agreement for an equitable
division Of the property.