New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-19
Boston Customs Authorities
Find Costly Pearls Con-
ceaIed on Mrs. May Van
Allen Thompson.
MAID DECLARED IN PLOT
Daughter of James J. Van Allen
Searched on Reaching Port
After Her Honeymoon in
Europe and Hidden
Necklace Taken.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune. J

BY IeleErapn 10 Inc ITlpune.I
Boston, Oct. 1S.--The local United
States customs authorities admitted
having made a startling discovery to-
day when they declared that Mrs.
May Van Allen Thompson. wife Of
Griswold A. Thompson, Of New York.
tried to smuggle into this country a
necklace OF pearls said to be valued
at thousands Of dollars
1t was also discovered that the
woman's maid, named Conners. was A
party to the alleged smuggling plot,
for, when searched. thousands Of dol
lars in value in diamonds and other
precious gems were found concealed
in her stockings. The necklace was
found around Mrs. Thompson's neck,
suspended In a little chamois bag, con-
cealed in her bosom.
Mrs. Thompson had twenty-five
trunks when she arrived here on the
steamship Arabic on Thursday from
her honeymoon in Europe. and all were
filed with dainty and costly apparel
She objected to the strict examination
by the assistant appraisers and exam
iners on the plea that she was not
resident Of this country, but an alien
She gave the name of Mrs. May Van
Allen Thompson, but II was learned that
she was the wife of Griswold a.
Thompson. of New York. and daughter
OF James j. Van Allen. OF Newport and
New York.
II was subsequently learned that
whenever Mrs. Thompson sailed for
Europe or came back she always went
from and returned to Boston and used
the slower and medium priced boats
rather than the fast and high priced
vessels. The customs officers believe
that Mrs. Thompson is only one OF
many women who have been operating
on a large scale in this line.
Mrs. Thompson is a granddaughter
of the late William Astor and a cousin
of Vincent Astor. Her husband met
her at the dock on her arrival here.
She would give no explanation why she
preferred Boston as a port OF entry.
She was questioned for several hours
and detained until the message was
received from New York that her hus-
band was a voter there. Then she was
searched.
Local officials believe that 1t was to
divert suspicion from herself after her
contention with the examiners and
customs officials that Mrs. Thompson
admitted that her maid had gems con-
cealed. These jewels were found when
the maid was searched, and then the
matron suggested searching Mrs.
Thompson and the necklace was found.
Mrs. Thompson and her maid are
said to be at her cottage in Newport.
Mrs. Griswold A. Thompson was May
Van Allen, daughter Of James J. Van
Allen. Of this city and Newport. She
was married to Mr.. Thompson. who Is
o stock and bond broker and VICE
president Of the Commonwealth Water
Company. of New York, in London on
September "a last
on their arrival In Boston from the
other side on Thursday the customs
inspectors held up Mrs. Thompson
twenty-five trunks. She declared that
her marriage made her an English
subject. The inspectors insisted she
was an American, and compelled her
to declare her baggage as an American.
Her protest required that the trunks be
sent to this city under seal until the
question OF nationality had been de-
termined.
on Miss Connor, Mrs. Thompson's
maid, IS, 1000 in gems were found. Mrs.
Thompson said that the jewels had
been purchased in this country prior to
z