The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-31
A PRINCESS OF SWINDLERS.
The Humbert Case One of the Most
Remarkable on Record.

Kansas City Journal.
AS the Literary Digest remarks, the
temptations to talk about and moralize on
the gigantic Humbert swindle in Paris is
next to irresistible, particularly as the cap
ture of the arch conspirators is expected to
bring about developments that will shake
the present administration of France TO its
very foundations. But aside from the
political aspect the story of the Humberts
has fascination for all who are moved
by the marvellous. In the next few months
we shall hear much of the Humberts. and
it is worth while to refresh our memories
with the facts, never more clearly present
ed than in the following from the London
Spectator:
Madam Humbert was born more than
fifty years ago at Toulouse. and her mother
kept a linen shop. She married the son of
M. Humbert-then highly respected
minister of justice-and with the money
obtained from this father-in-law she was
able to set up quite a city establishment.
This establishment, with two smaller coun-
try estates, was her capital. Possessing
these-having that is, the necessary posi-
ton in society-she was able to begin work
on her big idea, namely, the borrowing of
money on the security of fictitious will.
This will she produced. 1t purported TO
be the last will and testament of one
Henry Crawford, an American. and in 1t
the said Henry Crawford left his property
to be divided into three parts-one to go
to Marie Daurignac MADAM Humbert's
sister under age; one to my nephew,
Henry Crawford; one to my nephew, Rob-
ert Crawford; with the provision that these
persons invest in France a sum sufficient
to secure to Therese Daurignac MADAM
Humbert) about $4,000 francs a month.
Shortly after producing this will Madam
Humbert showed to those with whom she
was dealing another document, by which
the title deeds and securities constituting
the assets of Mr.. Crawfords estate were
sequestered and placed in the hands of M.
and Madam Humbert until Mademoiselle
Daurignac should come of age. when all
amicable settlement. This was the great
stroke of business. Madam Humbert got
safe. and in it she said that the Craw-
ford securities were locked up. She might
not take them out or give them into any,
bodys hands, but there they were, and
on the understanding that they were there
she borrowed money. She borrowed alto
gether. about $12500.000 over a period of
twenty years, in sums ranging from a
quarter of million downward. She lived
in society. gathered about her some of
Frances brightest men, and wanted for
nothing"
1T might appear at a first glance that no
fact that a safe in Madam Humbert' s
house was supposed to contain an enorm-
Gus fortune in untouchable securities But
| mere statement OF the facts does not
| give clear understanding of the almost
| incredible ingenuity with which the Hum
berts backed up and sustained their story.
| To account for the continued sequestra-
| ton of the securities. she caused a suit
| to be brought by the alleged American
nephews to dispossess her of their custody.
very biggest lawyers of France and on her
| own side in defense she had the most
eminent counsel. The American nephews
were never seen, but they paid their law
| yers promptly, supplied any amount OF
| documentary evidence. and their existence
| was accepted as real Occasionally some
anxious creditor would express a doubt of
| was instantly silenced by reference to the
| high character of the lawyers employed
and the lofty station which the Humberts
occupied On more than one occasion the
| but Madam Humbert had all the ministers
| hypnotized. AT last. however, the case
wore .tself out in court, an order was is
| sued TO open the safe, and IL was opened.
1t contained just one Spanish cent and a
| bundle of old newspapers.
In the meantime the Humberts had fed.
and returned to France, and in Paris they
are the great sensation. When captured
the family had less than 5000 in their
not squandered all of the $4,000 900 received
| from their dupes. and that part of 1t went
| into the pockets of high officials. And this
is the charge that is said to affect the pres
| ent administration. even UP to President
| Loubet himself, who is accused of some
sort of completely in the swindle. 1t is
| directly asserted by some of the Paris
| newspapers that the police department aid
| ed in the escape of the Humberts, and that
| the department of justice only consented
to their arrest In Madrid after 1t had been
assured that every particle of incriminat T.
| ing evidence had been destroyed. Madam
Humbert has added to the excitement by
saying mysteriously that she will tell all
| at her trial and that linen may be ruined
in high places" and 1t is the opinion OF
the Temps that the scandal ahead will
eclipse that of Dreyfus.'
| But the chief interest clings about the
| manner in which Madam Humbert deluded
| all with whom she came in contact. X is
story which. to quote the language OF
| the London Standard, contains romance
| interminable enough to have pleased Dumas
and intricate enough TO have presented bril-.
| liant opportunities to a Gaboriau.'