The Washington times., 1919-05-11

man of his temperament could not
fail to enjoy the strenuous hustle Of American fe But
as he quickly found out necessated complete read
justment of many Of his ideas.
His fortune which had seemed so ample, looked COM
paratively small in land where multimiHionares
so much more numerous than in France And various
shrewd American business with whom he discussed
his imperial plans did not hesitate to say that he needed
far larger capital to ensure their success.
So putting his dreams of empire aside for the time
being Lebaudy set about increasing his wealth He was
successful in this he had been in crushing his rivals
in the sugar industry series of daring ventures in the
stock market brought him large profits which ne promptly
invested in valuable mining properties in South Africa
South America and other parts of the world
Indeed, Jacques Lebaudy might well have become one
of the great financial kings of his adopted land had it not
been for evil influence which had begun to exert itself
over his life.
This fateful influence that worked such radical
change in Lebaudys destiny haunting fear-fear of
some mysterious enemy who pursued him reentlessly
wherever he went and who would stop at nothing to be
revenged on him
whether this implacable foe only the halucnatiOn
of brain long overtaxed whether actually existed
in the person of woman whose ambitions had
had to give way before Lebaudys will never be known.
But that Lebaudy believed implicitly in the danger
that always mpended from this pursuef there be
doubt Fear Of the fate he thought might Overake him
at any moment drove him to all sorts of eccentrctes
It wrecked his hopes of empire and was finally the ndl-
rect cause of his tragic death.
In the effort TO lose his identity as much as possible
and thus throw his pursuing off the scent ne began
to neglect his personal appearance he discarded all hls
jewelry all his fine clothing Instead of the rich sable
lined coat and the immaculate silk hat OF other days ne
wore a cheap cloth coat and rough golf cap
To have no fixed place of residence became positive
mania with him. Often he would divide his nights be-
tween two different hotels. staying at one until little
past midnight and going to another to remain until
morning
For manv wears the only address at which his attor
neys and brokers sure OF reaching him on matters
look hOY-
the New York Post Office He maintained no office but
had carried about with him wherever ne went numerous
bags boxes packed full of letters and business docu
ments Some of his effects that once went under the nam
mer at Sheriff sale included less than Seventy-two
boxes of private papers. ~
The assortment of bags satches portfolios etc. which
Jacques Lebaudy possessed was undoubtedly the world
largest collection of its kind He went anywhere
without at least two three of these pieces of luggage
and often there many of them that half dozen
messenger boys required to carry them
There were large patent leather bags made especially
to hold correspondence files brief of every size and
hue kit bags sachels like those surgeons for their
Instruments suit and even number OF the cyndrl-
cal canvas bags such soldiers and sailors use
Almost invariably Lebaudy strapped to either
hin two leather satchelS that looked very much like
women's shopping bags. One OF these was hled with
bundles of crisp new bills of large denomination while
the other stuffed with stacks of the gold pieces Whlch
he was so fond of displaying.
At the time of his death than two hundred bags
and sachelS filled with business papers checked at
different hotels 1e IN spite OF Lne IacI IndC all
details of his numerous enterprises scattered about
in this strange way he seemed to have any difficulty
in LAYING his hands just the letter or document ne
wanted.
In his continual travels from hotel to another he
rarely registered twice succession under the same name
Sometimes he would sign himself Emperor Jacques
at others Count Des Loches " But his usual custom
was TO nscrbe in the register the first American or Eng
lsh name that came into his head.
Georges RUSSELL of the assumed names that
seems to have been particular favorte OF hlS After his
death thousands of cards so engraved found among
his effects.
Suspicion of everybody with whom he came in con-