New Britain herald., 1928-12-13

t
 
 '. Captain Isaac Emerson, Patent Medicine Head of the Baltimore Family Famous
 Many and Brilliant Marriages: H!
 Reported as Having Denied knowl
 edge of the Jewel Transaction. A FORTUNE In gems, fliers in high A finance, and Gordian knot of legal procedure are the chief factors in . swift moving drama of plot and counter plot which recently was enacted in New York and the ramifications of which em- brace many figures of social prominence. Who owns the $AS0,000 worth of dia- monds, emeralds, rubies and pearls? A few weeks ago that question might have been simply answered. The jewels were the property of the John Wanamaker Company. Today, however, the ownership of the jewels is . moot question and long legal battle may be necessary before 1t is answered.
 The whole fascinating drama revolves around comparatively unknown figure, Mrs. Maria J. Leslie. According to in. vestigators, Mrs. Leslie for many years has been attached to the household of Cap tain and Mrs. Isaac Emerson, Baltimore society leaders. Captain Emerson is a wealthy drug manufacturer and has been known as the "Bromo Seltzer King" His family is noted for it's many and brilliant marriages which have brought about prominent families, including tho Van derbilts.
 The story opened some weeks ago when Mrs. Leslie registered at the Roosevelt Hotel, New York City, and communicated with the Wanamaker store regarding some purchases she desired to make. It since has been established that Mrs. Leslie undertook the duties of social sec retary for Mrs. Isaac Emerson, and that she frequently made purchases for the &C., count of her employer. When Mrs. Leslie registered at the New York hotel the Isaac Emersons were abroad, and while their names are the chief ones in the story they have not yet returned to cut or unite the knot which is puzzling officials and tying up the fortune in gems.
 According to officials of the Wana. maker organization, Mrs. Leslie expressed the intention of purchasing some jewelry for the account of Mrs. Isaac Emerson. An elaborate collection of pendants, necklaces, rings and bracelets was dis played for her consideration, and the total value of those she chose is placed at $480,0
 The jewels were delivered to Mrs. sheriff's office, and were charged to the account of Mrs. Emerson. And then, a few days later, the Wanamaker officials had strange experience. A leading New York jeweler, Harry Winston, of Fifth Avenue, offered to sell the gems to the Wanamaker organization at . profit of $5O,OO0!
 When the department store heads had recovered from their surprise they acted quickly, and thorough investigation was begun. The result of the investigation showed that Mrs. Leslie or her agent had offered the jewels to Mr. Winston, and that she had been introduced to him by people whom he considered reputable. There was no evidence that he had acted in anything but good faith in purchasing the gems, and their purchase was sald to have been cash transaction.
 It is also stated that the department store officials succeeded in cabling Cap tain Emerson, and that, in reply to their query, he stated that he knew nothing of the transaction and that Mrs Leslie was not authorized to make purchases in such large amounts for his account
 What was to be done? The department store officials realized acutely the position in which they were placed Mir. Winston, having bought the gems in good faith, was holding them, and until the return O the Isaac Emersons it would be impossible to build up any case indicating liability on the part of any person in- volved in the transaction. There was no evidence to indicate that Mrs Leslie had no right or authority to buy and sell jewels
 MT. Winston was called into conference, and when informed of the exact situa- ton he offered to return the jewels to the original sellers provided they would reimburse him for his purchase They, of course, having once paid for the jewels declined to do this, and Mir. Winston, ap. plying the old rule of bird in the hand being worth two in the bush, kept the diamonds. rubies. pearls and emeralds