The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-12-24
nY AssnllAlln rnlss

New York Dec tll ouis A. Ralensi,
who is in the Ludlow street jail must 30
back to France, there to stand trial on a
charge oi having cmhcillcd S. 100000
more than six years ago Since he fled
from France he has served four years in
prison III this country, having been con-
victed Of dclrludne jewelers..
Despite his vigorous defense the state
department has issucd cxiradition papers
and in charge OF an officer I,acns will
soon depart for France. aud there il is
likely he will he sent 10 prison FOR another
long term The authorities OF France
never gave up their pursuit OF him aud he
was arrested on their charge as he left the
prison in this country, where he had been
confined for many years.
1t was ~ years ago that lIalcusi formed
La francaisc de Banquc ct de Change in
Paris and became its general manager, ut
a salary OF $500 year. to which was to
be added 20 per cent Of the profits. IIo
lived extravagantly speeuated extensively.
wagcfcd large sums on the race tracks and
was one OF the boldest gamblers in all
France
Took Money and Jewels.
lie disappeared about six years ago and
charged. showed he had cmbclllcd 6,Soo,-
900 francs, and had as well taken costly
jewclry which had been iniruscd to his
care for many persons OF note had been
the patrons of his bank among them Max
I.cbaudy who had millions ol dollars. and
who was such a victim for sharpcrs that
he was known as the Little Sugar Bowl"
After the rcsul, Of the inquiry became
known the French authorities began 10
hunt for Balcnsi, but they were unable
to find him Nor did they learn where he
was until he was arrested in this country,
where he had been living under the as
sumed name Of William A, Bclwood. He
opened jewelers. store. and it is said his
first stock consisted Of the gems he had
taken when he left Paris Among those
from whom he purchased goods was a COM
pany of this city and such confidence did
the firm place in him that it permitted him
to take, on his own memoranda, jewelfy
valued at SIS 600 He failed 10 pay for it.
nor did he return il, and il was learned he
had hypothccacd it with a pawubrokcr.
Officers Were Waiting.
He was arrested and two indictments
were found against him in July, 1903. nc
for larceny Of diamond necklace valued
III bl45bb, dIlI I0t OIlfl LOT Inf larceny o1
pair Of earrings and small necklace
which were valued at $500. After his
arrest it was asctrtaincd he was none
other than Balcnsi, and when he was
brought 10 trial United States marshal
was in the courtroom ready TO arrest him
If he went free. The federal warrant
had been issued after an investigation
IN France by General Horace Porter,
United States Ambassador
Tried on the first Indictment the fury
disagreed and he was placed on trial
on the second Indictment. ne was con-
vicicd and after he mad been sentenced
TO imprisonment for six years he said
lie was willing 10 plead guilty to the
first charge. He went to Sing Sing, and
from there 10 Napanach Rcformatory, and
his length Of imprisonment was made
little more than four years by commu-
tation. AS he left the prison he was
placed under arrest by United States
marshal, for the French officials had de-
clded that no mercy should be extended
to him as far as thny were concerned.
While awaiting 4 decision he was placed
in Ludlow street jail.
AS soon as the documents are received
here Balonsi will be taken back to France.