New-York tribune., 1920-06-19
Mrs. Benjamin
Contradicted bv
Car ,,so Maid
Conflicting Stories About
Opening of Jewel Box
Provide Only Surprise
at John Doe Inquiry
Wife on Witness Stand
Chauffeur Left to Guard
Place and Protect Family
in Absence of the Family
Wife on Witness S
IRON, Stot Correspondent,

From stat CORES pordc't
FAST HAMPTON, L. T., June l2 a
Giyect conflict of important testimony
marked the examination of two leading
witnesses to-day at the opening session
Of the John Doe investigation into the
theft of 100000 worth of jewels from
the summer home of Enrico Caruso on
the night of June g.
1t came as the sole surprise of the
drab proceedings in the stuffy hall
.illed with the fashionable members Of
he summer colony. The two witnesses
wore Mrs. Park Benjamin jr., sister
r. law of Mrs. EnIico Caruso, and En-
4icott Ristori, first maid OF the tcncr's
'vife.
No Sensation Sprung.
IT never opened the jewel boz dc
cared Mrs. Benjamin. "And the only
time ever saw it opened was while 1T
was temporarily in my possession dur
ing Mrs. Caruso's absence in the city.
On that occasion saw Endicotti open
it and take a pearl necklace out of it
for Mrs. Caruso.'
Inc iNdIO, SpcdhiHS III tI6lioii, bdlu ol
this incident:
Mrs Caruso sent me in for the
necklace: Mrs. Benjamin opened the
box and ] carried it in to madame
District Attorney Leroy N. Young, of
suffolk County, who is conducting the
INQUIRY before Justice of the Peace
Hiram Sheriff. pressed both witnesses
IN this point, but they renamed stead
fast in their first statements.
Frank Ferraro, the Caruso butler.
his wife and three year old child, were
automobile by county detectives at 8
O'Clock tonight. They were brought here
and separately questioned by District
Attorney Young and County Detectives
Kelsey and Jenkins. At 10 O'Clock
they were taken back to the Caruso
house and Young left for Babylon.
The public hearing opened an hour late,
due to the late arrival of the Caruso
party. including Mrs. Caruso, her
brother, Park Benjamin jr, his wife
and three maids. The witnesses were
sept in an anteroom while awaiting
their turn on the witness stand.
The hearing failed to produce the
sensational disclosures that had
been predicted by Sheriff Kelly. but
these may evolve at the next hearing,
when the Sheriff takes the stand.
Shortly before Judge Sheriff. con-
vened the court, the room was packed
with an excited audience. Among the
prominent spectators were Mrs. John
c. Mccall and her two daughters. two
daughters of Darwin P. Kingsley
president of the New York Life In.
surance Company; Professor r. W.
Wood, inventor of tear gas; Sturdevan
Erdman and his sister, and f. II. May
nard.
Mrs. Caruso was the first witness
She took the oath q trifle nervously
but gave her testimony in q soft, well
modulated voice. She was attired IN
It plain blue serge suit and wore q
small black beaded lace hat. Her only
iewelry was a diamond bar pin. worn
en- her plain white waist, four carat
diamond engagement ring and pati-
nnm wedding ring. Albert C. Conway
appeared as her attorney, but did not
lake any part in the examination.
Pistol Expert Present
Captain William A. Jones. the pisto
expert of the New York Police Depart
mcnt, was also present in her behalf
At the outset Mrs. Caruso said tha
the servants at the time Of the robbery
consisted of three maids, a kitche,
boy, the butler and his wife, the baby
nurse, a nurse for the two Benjamin
children, the chauffeur and his wife
and Mr.. and Mrs John Eascr. tn
gardener employed by Albert Herter
owner of the estate. Replying to di
rect questioning. Mrs. Caruso said:
Fitzgerald. the chauffeur, under
stood from Mr.. Caruso that he was t
guard US and protect US, as he was tn
only English speaking man on tn
r!ace.'
Coming TO the famous jewel caske
that contained the Caruso gems Mrs
Caruso carefully described its mech
anism. The gong, she said, alway
ane when the casket was picked up.
There were two keys to the box,
ne continued, land they were bot
.ept on the keyring. always hep
(he keys in the miGdic drawer Of m.
Gressing table with by gold mesh ba
md handkerchiefs. The keys were al
Nays there except when ,ook then
v-ish me in my mesh bag.
The last time | saw the contents O
ne keepsake was on Sunday morning
June 8. | don't think looked into tn
5os again Monday or Tuesday. On II
FRIDAY previous, when | went to Ncy
fols. took the string of pearls an
earrings with me and when I returne
put tnem oacH in the box; that is, nc
2a4 ida3 hi~ ~ "hen / got back, hu
sunday morning when i got Up
Gems Worth sA0o,oo
Mrs.. Caruso described the iewolr
y dotaH AMI ed that her ieweIer
had told her the replacement value q
he present time would be $500
900. She said that her maid, Endcott
aad seen her put the necklace back an
men added that the maid knew no
% open the box and knew whore tn
Keys were kpt, as did also tn other tu
maids
a' heard the alarm go off," sh
esi3. Il ran toward the stairs eadn
the upper floor. On the way up "
eacountcrcd Endicottl, vino vas shriel
ing "a Italian, Tho jewel box is gone
sac was in Mysteries, calling on s
Anthony and other sain.s. | asked he
Z, kcert nlL11-. tnarnA H. ....-- =.