New-York tribune., 1920-06-16
George Fitzgerald, Seven
Years With Tenor, Is
Charged With Carrying
Gun Night of Robbery
John Doe Inquiry
To Begin Friday
Warrant Is Sworn Out to
Keep Him Within Coun-
ty, the Detectives Assert
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

EASTHAMPTON, L. l., June 15.-
George Fitzgerald, chauffeur for En-
rico Caruso during .he last seven
years. was arrested at the Caruso sum-
mer home late tonight. His deten-
ton came as dramatic turn in the
investigate into the robbery of the
100000 worth of jewels from the
Caruso estate on the night of June 8.
Twenty minutes after his arrest
Fitzgerald was brought before Hiram
Sheriff.. Justice of the Peace in this
village, and arraigned on a charge of
violation of the Sullivan law. The
warrant alleges Fitzgerald was in pos
session of revolver without a per-
NIT on the night that Mrs Caruso' s
Jewelry disappeared. The chauffeur
denied his guilt and demanded an ex-
animation. He was held in $1,000 bail
for hearing at O'Clock Friday
afternoon. The arrest was made for
the purpose of keeping him within the
jurisdiction of the county.
The quick turn in the jewel robbery
case came half an hour after the at
torneys specially employed by Fitz-
left the Caruso estate. They were
Henry J. and Frederick F. Goldsmith,
of 160 West Forty-frln Street, Man
haitian. Both had just told their client
that the Investigators had no authority
TO detain him on the property and that
he could go where he pleased.
Drives to Justices Home
Scarcely had they left, when Fitz-
gerald brought out the Caruso tour
ing car and drove Mrs. Caruso, Mrs.
Park Benjami jr., Romane BENJAMIN,
Sylvester J. Kelsey and William F.
Jenkins to this village. Kelsey is an
investigator on District Attorney Leroy
NJ. Young's staff. The car stopped at
Justice Sherrill's home and the whole
party, with the exception of Fitzgerald
went inside.
While inside. Mrs Caruso swore to
a formal affdav'. alleging that her
jewelry, valued at 100000 was stolen
by John Doe" on the night of June 8,
and twenty subppnas were immedi-
ately issued for witnesses to attend the
John Doe investigation, which will be
held in Odd Fellows Hall at 10 O'Clock
Friday morning.
AS soon as this was done Kelsey
swore out warrant against Fitzgcrald
The party then entered the touring car
again, Fitzgerald being unaware Of the
warrant. He was ordered to drive the
car back to the Caruso home. When
the car had been placed in the garage
Kelsey informed Fitzgerald he had a
warrant for his arrest
"All right" replied the latter, 81 ex-
pected it. III go with you to any place
you say"
1t was then that he was brought be-
fore Justice Sheriff.. After the ar
raignment Fitzgerald said to the news
paper men: "That revolver was given
to me by Mrs. Caruso when we arrived
here May 8. | asked her about per-
nit at that time and she told me that
| did not need one. that Mr.. Caruso
was an hoporary police captain in New
York and that he had fixed things up
| never carried that revolver on my
person while off the grounds. 1t was
kept in a bureau drawer in my room
for the protection of Mrs. Caruso and
her baby"
Acted as Night Watchman
In addition to his duties as clauf-
feur Fitzgerald was night watchman
on the Caruso estate The decision
to swear out the warrant against Fitz-
gerald was reached at the conclus on
of a conference between members of
the Caruso family and the District At
torney's staff after Fitzgerald's at
torney had departed.
Just before he was taken from the
Caruso estate Fitzgerald was asked
whether he cared to go into the house
and talk to Mrs. Caruso or any men,
bers of her family.
"No, I'm through with the Carusos,' "
replied Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was allowed to say good
by to his wife. She presented a pa
thctic figure when her husband told
her he had been arrested She wept
and Fitzgerald said: Don't worry
dear. l am innocent. They are trying
to lay this robbery on me"
His two children, Catherine, ten, and
George four, clung to their mothers
skirt and wept bitterly as Kelsey told
Fitzgerald to get ready to go.
1--WE had been informed that Fitz-
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