The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-05-31
MAY HAVE TAKEN A MILLION
Boeckss Alleged Thefts of Gems Stead
lily Growing.

New York Especially the
jewel thefts of ]. Edward Boeck,
club member, art expert, soldier of
fortune and jewelry broker, who dis
appeared on May 10, will approx
mate a million dollars and may
cause the ruin of several small deal
ers in precious stones, were the
startling disclosures made Wednes-
day in what has already become one
of the most remarkable criminal
cases on record Boeck was in
dicted on two counts by the grand
jury.
That the smooth-tongued adven-
turer and friends of Eastern royalty
had at least three women among his
victims, one of whom worshipped him
and wore stolen engagement rings
which he had given to her, were 9th
er developments of one days 1nVes-
tigation One of the women chased
him around the world and finally
discovered, 1t is alleged, that he had
a criminal record in many countries,
notably in China, where he was sus-
pected of having looted the palace
Boxer troubles. This woman re-
Gently appeared in New York and
told the Pinkerton detectives what
she had learned. She also said that
she had been swindled by Boeck
out of upward of $4,000.
From one of Boeck's acquaint-
ances detectives learned that the
man had frequently said he had been
employed by the wife Of Senator
Thomas G. Plat to sell her home,
Tioga Lodge, Highland Mills. He
said he had for years been close
friend of Mrs. Platt, as we'll as of
her husband, and that he had fire.
quently made investments for her.
He boosted of his friendship for the
aged Senator.
Among bookmakers there was
report that Boeck was the "mysteri-
Gus source of a flood of money
which poured into the betting ring
to back Roseben, the favorite in the
Metropolitan handicap at Belmont
Park on May 10 just before the
books closed. Boeck was frequent
er of the track, having become In
terested in the horses through women
associates, who were related to
prominent bookmaker. 1t is declar-
ed Boeek was executing a grand
coup to make up enormous losses
he had sustained in various ventures.
Roseben lost Boeck disappeared
next day.
That he is the smoothest swindler
that ever struck the Maiden Lane
district and could easily have OBJ
tanned $2,O00,0O0 worth of precious
stones was the opinion of all the
large jewelers..
Interesting among the stories told
of his remarkable career, which ex-
tends to many countries and includes
experiences with nobility and Gov
eminent officials of high rank, was
one involving a smuggling venture
which was participated in by an
American Government employe in
Cuba. According to the story, this
man brought into America without
paying the customs duties thousands
of dollars worth of rare Chinese
porcelains and other objects of art.
1t had been arranged that Boeck,
who was an expert in porcelains,
should sell them at big profit and
divide with the Government employe.
The sales were made, it is alleged,
and a snug fortune realized, but
Boeck refused to surrender penny
of it to his accomplice, who was I'M
able to take action to recover with
out revealing his own guilt.
Pawn tickets led to the recovery
of something like $4,000 worth of
jewelry obtained by Boeck from
various well-known houses on memo
randa But 1t is the belief of the
dealers that the most valuable of
his supposed stealings he has with
him. Many firms where 1t is known
Boeck did business are disinclined to
make known their losses for fear of
sustaining injury to their credit.
1t was stated by a representative
of Marcellus, Pitt & Co., of Maiden
Lane. that often Boeck had out for
exhibition to prospective customers
jewelry of the firm valued at $780,
900. Many of the larger firms had
the same confidence in him.