The San Francisco call., 1908-03-19
BOECK DIAMOND
THIEF IS IN Tolls
Former Associate of MiIlionaires
Arrested for Theft of Gems
of World Fame
Rich Strike in Daisy Mine
Comes Just Before His
Career Ends


which he had sacrificed his good name,
business and reputation was in his
grasp and his i'll gotten gains were on
the point Of reaping him enormous
wealth, J. Edward Boeck, formerly the
biggest iewelry broker IN the world
and the associate OF millionaires was
arrested on the charge OF grand lar
ceny yesterday The arrest took place
in Kearny street on the specific COM
plant Of the theft Of eight magnificent
pearls valued at $4,000.
With his downfall came other accu-
sations. A few hours after he was ar
rested ". H. Seaman. a mining man Of
Nevada, called at the police station to
report that Boeck had robbed his
rooms. stealing $40. .O0e worth of jewels,
and had taken from mis- cafe $4,000
worth Of jewelry belonging to Mrs
Seaman
is that your man?7 Seaman was
asked.
That's him." replied Seaman.
According to Seaman, he met Boeck
in Reno. New, and while there the lat
ter went through his rooms and stole
all the jeWelry he could flnd. few
DAYS later he called at Seaman's Office
and asked to put bundle of papers in
his safe. Never suspecting him Of the
burglary Seaman gave his consent, and
while Boeek was putting in the papers
he extracted a package OF jewels be-
longing to Mrs. Seaman.
SEAMAN ACCUSES BOECk
A short time later Seaman discovered
his loss and came to the conclusion that
Boeck had robbed him. Meeting him in
the city yesterday he accused him
point blank and gave him until 8 O'Clock
in the afternoon TO produce the jewelry.
AS Boeck did not appear. Seaman went
10 the police station and found in his
man a criminal for whom there had
been world wide chase and who had
perpetrated one of the sensational rob
berries in New York.
Completely unnerved by the situa-
ton, Boeck broke down and confessed
10 the theft OF the pears, but denied
robbing Seaman.
The capture came only after a most
determined. man hunt lasting q year.
during which pursuer and pursued
travelled around the world Finally
eiuding the detectives on his trail.
Boeck went TO Nevada and there in
vested the remains of the money from
the stolen pearls in mines, particularly
IN Daisy, OF which he is half owner.
Following his investment the bot
tom fell out of Nevada mines and
Boeck faced the proposition OF losing
ali. His other investments he allowed
10 escape him, but to Daisy he pinned
his faith, hanging to the stock with
a tenacity born Of desperation.
FORTUNE SMILES ON HIM
A few days ago rich strike was
made in Daisy and the stock scared. 1t
jumped 20 points in a single day and
Boeck saw before him the fortune for
which he had become criminal. While
his eyes were yet dazzled by the bril-
liancy of the vein of gold the detec-
tive's hand fell upon his shoulder and
the whole magnificent castle which he
had built on the shifty foundation of a
theft tOppled about his ears Under
the deluge the man lost his nerve and
sat in his cell biting his fingers, the
agony Of his position being all the
keener for the memory of the vain
hope cherished a few days ago.
Boeck's flight with the pearls was
one of the sensations of the year in
the metropolis. AS a jewelry broker of
good standing he had among his ac-
quaintances and friends nearly every
millionaire in New York He belonged
= to the fashionable clubs. was promi-
lunched with such men as August Bel
mont
WORE FAMOUS GEMS
fall were gems of fame Each was
worth 5000 and originally belonged
10 Ludwig Nissen & Co Boeck made
an attempt to get the pearls from
them. saying he wanted to show them
TO a prospective customer, but the re-
quest was refused They then fell
into the hands of K. w Dayton, a re-
tail Jeweler on Thirty-ninth street.
Boeck renewed his pleas for the pearls.
"a ha IA foA nr-
them, and owing TO his high standing
and good name finally succeeded in get
ting them in his hands.
Then he disappeared. The jewelers.
protective association took up the mat
ter and placed the case in the hands
OF the Pinkerton force. Boeck fed to
China, but hardly had he landed when
he was forced TO fee again He made
for the Strait settlements in the hope
of losing himself among the monde
script throng of adventures and pearl
poachers around Singapore and Rats
via. but the law followed close on his
heels and he broke for Switzerland.
From there 10 France, followed by a
fight 70 England and finally to New
York once more Across the continent
he fed with detectives doggine his
footsteps at every turn. but his trail
was finally lost in the middle west and
little later J. Edward Boeck bios
soned forth among the Nevada crowd
rs J. E. Burke.
On Boecks person were found pawn
tickets and bills OF sale OF jewelry.
Following up these clews, Detectives
Armstrong and Burke succeeded in re-
covering the $4,000 worth of jewelry
belonging to the Seamans and the
probabilities are that some of the
pearls will be soon recovered.
The New York police were notified
of the arrest and of Boecks confession
and telegraphed TO hold him until the
necessary steps can be taken to have
him returned to New York.