Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-29

begun 1t was discovered that the valua-
BILE Corots, Meissoniers and other superb
works of art had been replaced with cop
les Of the originals. The originals, it was
learned, had been sold several months
previously.
Big crowds gathered around both resi-
dences. In front of the Office of a life
Insurance company. in the Rue Auber.
one old man, who had paid his entire
fortune over to the Humberts in consider
alton of a life annuity. fell senseless to
the pavement when he learned of the
swindle. Warrants for the arrest of the
Hmnberts were at once issued. Lawyers,
notaries and other persons charged with
completely in the gigantic swindle have
been arrested all over France. These
persons are HOW being rapidly brought 10
trial and their revelations make an as
founding arraignment against some Of the
highest tribunals Of France. A former
minister of justice, an ex-deputy, and ex-
magistrates in Nantes. Rouen, Havre and
Paris have been accused.
The last seen of the Humberts was
when, two days before the safe was brok-
en- open, Nine. Humbert. In handsomely
appointed brougham. drove to fashiona-
BILE milliner's in the Rue de la Paix, and
bought a half dozen expensive spring
hats, for which she paid cash. She APP
peared. that same evening in her box at
the opera, where she listened to Jean de
Reszke in "Siegfried.
Meanwhile the police have been search
ing for the Humberts all over Europe
Seals have been placed on the mansions
in the city and country that had been
for so many years the homes of, the FAM
lily. The most valuable asset found by the
deluded creditors is a superb painting.
THE Archangel," by Raphael, which the
Humberts bought at the Aguado sale for
100000. For tine last 20 years it has hung
at the top OF the beautiful marble stair
case In the city housed Near this splendid
painting hangs a liferllke portrait of the
austere father OF Frederic Humbert, wear
ing the purple and ermine robes of the
Keeper OF the Seals of State and Minister
of Justice.
Since the disappearance of the Hum
berts, America as well as Europe, has
been secured in search of them. Captain
Titus had detectives at the piers TO meet
incoming steamers that might bring the
fugitives 1t was thought for long time
that the Humberts had probably char
tered vessel of their own, and had
sought some secluded part of the world.
Waldeck- Rousseau, premier of France,
has described this stupendous bunco game
as the "swindle of the century, How
cleverly Nine. Humbert, who is thought
to have been the brains of the conspiracy.
managed all the details, is shown from
the way she acted from the first day, %
years ago, when she announced herself as
heir to the 100000 up to the weIl-cov-
cred flight of the family from Paris.
Details SkiIfuIly Arranged.
Just as she entered into her supposed
splendid inheritance two claimants (the
fictitious crawfords) are alleged, to have
appeared. The elder Crawford is repre-
scented in all the proceedings as having
bequeat hed the $50, 900, COO to Nine Hum
bert, then Mile. Therese D'Aurignac be-
cause of his gratitude for her kind nurs-
ing of him during his usefulness at Nice.
The attorneys for Henry and Robert
Crawford the mythical nephews,
promptly filed a second Will, of the same
date as that purporting to have been
signed by their mythical uncle. This gave
to them all of the enormous fortune 1t
was impossible of course, for either
"1enry'sor Robert Crawford TO appear
in court save by their attorneys.
The most complicated litigation ensued.
the suit being carried from one court to
another If Nine Humbert touchedl any
of the $4,000. 600 she lost all claim to it.
That was the agreement, duly signed and
Witnessed. according to the fictitious pa
pers in the suit Thus. being unable to
touch any of the available cash, She nee
essarily was forced to borrow. Please
would some one lend her the cash?
Completely deceived by Nine. Humbert's
cunning, her social prestige and the legal
status that the suit had now attained in
the highest courts of France, bankers and
money lenders rushed forward proffering
cash by the safeful. Some of the most
prominent creditors are:
Girard e. Co., bankers, 100000 francs;
Lefevre, retired notary, 4,200oCO francs:
Credit Foncier, 1.C5OCO0 francs; Julien Al
phen, banker. l 2G7,Oo0 francs; Societe
Generate. 100000 francs; Banque Franco
Beige 10000 francs: b. Haas, Jr.. bank
er, 100000 francs; Marquis de Cazeaux, l.
100000 francs; Gabriel Levy & Co., 10000
francs; Paul Bernard. banker. 100000
francs; Dumoret. jeweler, 100000 francs:
Oppenheimer. dealer in antiques, 100000
francs; Cattani. a banker, 1,O50,OOO francs.