The Wilmington morning star., 1946-06-09

o END ODD CASE
((1ed From Page One)

Dl broke down under he
detetests and led Army au-
thorlast night to a baggage
lock the Illinois central rail-
roadon. There, in the writing
papx, they found the last OF
the ing 81. 500, 900 in jewels
Iloosnes wrapped individually
in s squares of paper.
Ahalf of the loot had been
in Hudson, Wis, aft
er It's bride confessed.
Tiny broke the sensational
case open when it seized the
hon, oning couple after a dime
novdller C h a that led
throChicago, St. Paul, Mime
apoIudson and finally to their
bed in Chicago's Inflated La
salltel. They we're arrested
Nor morning - less than 40
the disastrous lire IN
thatl.
A,kesman said the Army
knone whereabouts OF two otn-
err scts-the major and corpor-
|al. aid 1--WE can lay our hands
on | at any moment" But de-
elmo reveal their names or
wheouts or why there was de-
low ,kino them into custody.
Its learned that the corporal
hadceived an honorable dis
chasince the gems disappeared
fror sub-cellar in the 1OO-room
Krrg castle last November.
Theaer three are still in the
ser, subject to Army discipline:
TheAC captain was ordered
bac, active duty one day before
herminal leave was to expire.
Graph W. Pierce, Army
crinl investigator who made
the a find in the railroad station
lock said the jewels had been
ripr from their mountings.
Sar as the Army knew, how
evehe Durants had not actually
so oosed of aly of the loot.
Pee said 0urant apparently
bront the looe jewels back from
Eun by Army plane after re-
mo,g them from their mount
ingHe said Durant was an air
off. and ued this advantage to
fly ; Jewel to this country.
T War department. previously
saithe Dtrants had planned to
splihe lot four ways.
Pee sid the batch found II
Huon. Wis, was hidden in the
hor of FRS. Durant's sister, who
''aarertly was unaware of theil
va" He emphasized that NJ
mAbe. of either Mr.. or Mrs
Danfs family was involved il
II case.
fficials said Mrs. Durant'
fily had used some of the be
yelled gold-plated knives an
ks from the loot at the kitche,
BILE, but they were unaware O
re source or value of the items
The Army did not disclose wha
art, if any, the mysterious majo
in the theft.
The corporal involved in tn
ase originally turned the jewel
yer to the WAC captain after h
.und them in a lead-lined DO
7hile searching the ,Kronber
astle cellar last November fc
are vintage wine. She locked ther
p without reporting the find I
er superiors.
A family servant of the Hous
f Hesse subsequently learned tn;
he jewell had been discovered ar
old the Princess Sophie, gran'
laughter of the late Kaiser Wi
elm. The princess went to tt
VAC captain. She was told 81
:ould get her part of the jewe
whenever she wished them, bl
hat the Army was holding the
or safe-keeping.
But when Princess Sophie went
lain them last April, the jewe
the WAC captain - wei
gone. She reported to milital
government officials and the hui
vas on.
While the Army has the finger
he major and the corporal, Arm
made it clear that the a
,ual theft was committed by MI
Durant. If proved, this would gil
aer the dubious distinction of ha
ing staged one of the bigge
single-handed jewel robberies
history.
Army authorities declined to S;
what specific charges would
filed against the Durants. TIL
said they might be looting, misa
propriating of property or the
Under the 80th article of war, t
penalty for looting is at least fl
years imprisonment, a fine or su
other penalty as the court may p:
scribe.
They will be tried by a militia
court martial in the European Il
alter of operations. The major a
the corporal also face court m;
sial trial.
It was said, however, that !
corporal may go free unless he c
be connected as an accompli
since he tuned the jewels over
his superior officer after findi
them in the castle cellar. The
also was some question of pro
dure against the corporal. sir
he is now a civilian.
The ancient castle had been us
as a swank recreation center
American officers. Mrs. Nash v
in charge there. And it was tn,
that she met Durant, formerly