The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-11
MRS.. NICHOLS'S MAID
SAW MASKED THIEF
Says She Recognized WoltOnen,
Discharged Servant. but
Wasn't Frightened.


One of the fugitives hunted by the
police for robbing the home OF Mrs.
liz beth Grigg Nichols at 4 East
Seventy-ninth street and frightening the
widow to death was seen in the house
wearing a mask at the time OF the
robbery by Edith Langfeldt, the maid.
She said yesterday that after Arthur.
or Arturri Waltoncn. the second man
before Onni Talas ooh the place. was
discharged he was 80 often ut the
Nichols home that when she looked up
and found him bending over her with
his face masked she was not startled.
She merely asked
What foollshness are you doing with
hat thing"
The value Of Mrs. Nichols's jewelry,
which the three men sought for as
murderers and Onni Talas, the servant
who has confessed, believed vas worth
OF least 5000. 900. nay have amounted
20 only $4,000. The police believe the
share OF each man. II they can sell the
$4,000 worth OF jewelry they got, will
be only about $500. Assistant Dis
trict attorney skinner believes the men
can be convicted of first degree murder
u they are caught.
The police have been unable to
learn Just what jewelry the robbers got
or what Mrs. Nichols had when her home
was entered. Mrs. Nichols's nephew.
Maitland +. Griggs, has given them
what he believes to be a complete list
n-NN n
few small articles were found In the
house. Unless jewery is found in a
safe deposit vault to-day, the conclu-
sion must be that the thieves got al
most all OF the jewelry Mrs. Nichols
had.
Police watch ON Pawnshops.
While steps were being taken to seize
the three robbers II they try to get
money by pawning the stolen jewelry.
Inspector Faurot secured a fairly good
description OF the thieves. This has
been sent throughout the city and TO
surrounding towns.
Waltonen. the finnish former second
man. who Is described by Onn Talas,
his successor, a the moving spirit In
the plot to rob the house. is described
Is follows:
twenty-five years old, l1j pounds,
8 feet 10 or IL inches In height, blond
hair. brushed pohipadour. blue eyes,
light complexion. one gold tooth In
upper jaw. blue cap and sack suit. tan
shoes, white shirt and collar, white scar
on back of one hand"
Eddie" also "A Finn. whose last
name Is unknown and who often visited
Waltonen at the Nichols home. Is de-
scribed as ~ years old, 8 feet 6 inches
. in height, 100 pounds. light hair and
complexion, blue eyes. black suit. hat
and shoes. He is a carpenter.
The third mans name IL not known
TO the police, but he is dark and is be-
1ieved to be an Italian. He Is about 90
years old. ) feet s inches in height.
weighs 100 pounds and wore a dark suit
and straw hat.
All of the men are described AZ OF
good appearance, especially the Italian
JcweIry Taken by Robbers.
The jewelry that Inspector Faurot
thinks they got was as follows A dia
mond neck chain set In gold. containing
ninety-ilve diamonds. valued at $500
A ring set with one emerald and two
diamonds, all large stones. valued al
$4,000. An open faced platinum watch,
studded with diamonds. worth $1,000
A ring set with two diamonds. worth
$4,000. Two solitaire rings with 81.
carat stones. worth $4,000. \ circular
diamond brooch with gold setting,
worth $3.50. A plain gold wedding ring
value unknown.
After sending out this list to the
p wnshops for use until a more com.
plete one is received. Inspector Faurot
took Onni Talas before Coroner Rior.
dan, who remanded him to the Tombs
on a charge of homicide.
Judge Swami sent Ileona Toivonen
-
maid. to the House Of Detention as ma
terial witnesses.
II has been difficult for the police to
be sure that they have checked up COM
plctely the amount Of Mrs. Nichols's
jewels, because she seems Is have lived
very much alone and to have contidrL
IN no one. Inspector Faurot thinks now
that servants stories of her fondness foI
adorning herself with her Jewels at might
were responsible for the murder and rob.
berry and also for the belief that she had
Q collection Of gems that had cost a for.
tune.
Mrs. Nicholas Jewellcr. Cyril +. Peel
OF $50 Fifth Avenue. minated that she
had many more gems than tine police list
shows, though Mr.. Griggs doubts II
There is no evidence that she kept Other
jewelry in the house.
Although a study OF pictures in the
rogues gallery at Police headquarters
by Talas yesterday failed to lead the
police to photographs of any of the mer
and the police believe they are first OF.
tenders. Assistant District Attorney
skinner is sure he can convict them OF
frst degree murder. because they caused
Mrs. Nichols's death while committing
Il felony. He expects to present his evi'
dence 10 the Grand Jury on Monday and
secure indictments OF the three fugitives
and OF Talas. Though Talas says hs
had no agreement 10 share the loot oi
the robbery, Mr., skinner says he /:
clearly an accomplice on his own confes
sion.
Mr.. Griggs got AZ order from Surro'
gate Fowler last night to search a strons
box In the vault Of the Guaranty SAFE
Deposit Company. 5l2 Fifth avenue, IT
order to make a complete list of tn,
widows jewels and to determine wha'
was stolen. Mr.. Griggs said hat Ia
and his brother, John Il, Griggs, wer'
the only heirs and next Of kin and would
inherit the estate. as they believed tina
Mrs, Nichols left no will.