The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-11
SHE NEPI FOR JOY
Mrs. Bolts Famous Fiddle Re-
turned at East.
MISSING EIGHT YEARS
Its Loss Caused the Death of
Her Husband.

New York. July I0.-After eight years
Of legal controversy. worry and trouble
Mrs. Matilda Bot. white-haired and wrin-
killed. with age. was made happy in Re
oorder COTS court today by the return
OF the famous stradivarius. which was
stolen from her husband many years ago.
Tears of pleaslse flowed from the old
Iady's eyes as she accepted the old fiddle
from the hands of the recorder.
The story OF the lost violin reads like
a romance. The instrument originally
was the property of Joseph Jean Bot.
husband of Mrs. Bott Eight years ago
these TWO lived in Thirty-ffth street. Ne
gotiations We're pending betweensthe Bolts
and signor Nicolini. the husband OF Ade-
lima Patti. for the purchase of the fiddle.
Nicolini had offered $3.50 for the instru-
ment, and il had been accepted.
one afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Bot went
out and on their return discovered that
the violin had been stolen. A quantity
OF jeweIry and other valua bles had been
left untouched
The grief of both husband and wife over
the loss OF the instrument was great. The
aid Of the police was asked. and since
that time no stone has been left unturned
in the search. While the search was on
Mr.. Bott died. 1t was asserted that grief
over the loss of his priced violin caused
his death.
About a year after the violin had dis
appeared Mr.. Bot got the first clue TO
the alleged thief. As the result of evil
dence procured by the police. Victor S.
Flechter, a dealer in musical instruments
in Union square, was arrested. In March,
1896. an Indictment was returned against
Flechter. and on April 80 of the same year
he was found guilty Of the theft Of the
violin. He was sentenced TO a long term
in Sing Sing.
The matter was carried TO the appellate
division and the court Of appeals. and the
finding Of the lower court was sustained.
Upon the finding of the latter court the
authorities proceeded to execute sentence
upon Flechter. II was shortly after this
that application was made TO Recorder
Goff by counsel for Flechter. for a new
trial on the ground of newly discovered
evidence. The matter dragged along for,
several months, during which Recorder
Goff heard expert evidence in the mat
ter. 1t was while this was going on that
the famous fiddle was found in a store
kept by a Mrs. Springer, at No. 155 Jay
street. Brooklyn.
Mrs. Springer declared that she bought
the instrument from man known as
Jim Dooley. She asserted that she had
bought the violin for her son. and had
paid Dooley $50 for it. Dooley declared
that he had bought the fiddle in a pawn
shop on Eighth avenue, near Fourteenth
street. paying $50 for it, The police seized !
the instrument. and it has been in the /
charge of the district attorneys Office /
since that time on the evidence thus Sc
cured new trial was granted Flechter.
The matter came up before the recorder /
today upon tn recommendation Of the dis !
trict attorney that the indictment against |
FIechter be dismissed. Mrs. Bott, accom- /
panied by several relatives. Flechter and 4
the majority Of the principals in the Ia 1
nous search, were in court. Recorder I
Golf first called Mrs Springer 10 the 4
stand She was asked If she had any in 1
terest in the case. or whether she had any 4
claim against the instrument. She replied 4
that she had none. and then Identified 4
general release upon the violin which she I
had executed. Her son did likewise.
Flechter was next called to the stand 4
and was asked II he had any claim on
he violin. He hesitated a moment. and
then replied No"
Mrs. Bott then came 10 the stand. As
he old instrument was handed 20 her
ears Of happiness We're IN her eyes. She
slowly put on her glasses. and after look
ng at the instrument intently for a few
minutes. said, in answer 10 the recorders
question:
Yes. that IS tho violin that my hus-
land owned i Is all I have left now.
w husband is dead. and I am poor"
The recorder turned 10 the Old lady.
Who was still fonhling the treasured nd
lie. and said:
Mrs Bott. It Is with great pleasure
hat give this violin over 70 you. hope
hat it may he a comfort 10 you In your
Ia age Il has been the source o. q great
eaI of misery and urhappiness 70 you
nd your late husband. and I am heartily
dad 70 be able 70 give it into your pos
esslon."
Recorder GoT reserved decision upon
he application fer dismissal of the in
ictmsnt against F1echter.