The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-01-28 00:00:00

PERSONATING A DEAD WIFE.

One of the latest sensations of the Chicago papers
is worth reproducing, at least, the facts connected
with it are, though they are somewhat shocking.
William S. Aimison is the hero of it, and Aimison is a
farmhand working about fourteen miles west of
Kansas. Three years ago his wife died; he was
present at the funeral, and before the interment saw
the body of the deceased woman in the coffin. This
occurred at Illinios ; and Aimison then emigrated to
Kansas. Shortly after reaching there he received a
letter dated and postmarked at his old home in
Illinois, signed by his wife's name, "Lulu,"
and unmistakably—so he declares—in her
handwriting. Of this latter fact he is assured,
as he compared the handwriting with that of
several letters received from his wife before
his marriage, which he still had in his possession. She
said in the letter that she was very lonely, missed him
greatly, and implored him to return to her. The
only singular thing to one not knowing the facts of
the case was a sentence something like this: You
all thought I died, but I did not, and am much better
than when I saw you last." Since then, at irregular
intervals, he has received other letters, all couched in
endearing language, but making no attempt to explain
the mystery. Aimison, who had at first thought someone
was playing him a practical joke, now sent all the
letters to his wife's parents in Illinois. They agreed
with him that the handwriting was that of their
daughter, but could offer no explanation. He
answered one of the letters, addressing it "Mrs. W.
S. Aimison" and it was returned to him atKansas from
the Dead Letter Office. At last he determined to un-
ravel the mystery—if he could. The last letter, dated
in December, stated that " Lulu "was at Table Rock
sick and out of money and the writer asked him to
come to her relief. To Table Rock hied Aimison.
"Yes," he was told at the hotel, "a woman had been
there. She was sick when she reached there, confined to
her room most of the time, and left
after a week's stay for no one knew where."
In the register at the hotel he found the name "Mrs.
Lulu Aimison," no place of residence being given.
The handwriting was identical with that of the letters
he had received. The description of the woman given
by people at the hotel was—with a few discrepancies
which the passage of time might account for—almost
identical with that of his wife the last time he saw her
alive. Aimison was now thoroughly aroused. He
determined to have his wife's remains exhumed.
This in no wise explained the mystery; he found them
as they had been interred. The story goes no further
than this. Aimison, however, says if he receives any
more letters he will not allow them to trouble him,
but will make an earnest effort to discover their
author, and when he does has promised to tell the
journalist what happens.
CONFESSIONS OF A COMPANY
-
PROMOTER.
At the London Bankruptcy Court, a meeting has
been held before Mr. Registrar Giffard for the public
examination of Mr. E. A. Harrison Ainsworth,
described as of Maida-vale, of no occupation. The
bankrupt applied to pass upon accounts showing
debts unsecured £2,154, and assets (shares in public
compa'nies £55,000) of the value of £llO. Some dis-
closures in company promoting were made during
the examination. In reply to questions, the bankrupt
stated that in 1885 he promoted a company called the
Universal Contract Corporation (Limited). He held
one share in the Company, and, to enable him to
comply with the formalities of the Joint Stock Com-
panies, he obtained the other five signatures to the
Articles of Association. There were two clerks of his
own who were practically his nominees. He paid all
the registration fees, and he believed that he also paid
the £7OO on the shares of himself and his nominees.
The company entered into a contract to purchase the
business for £140,000. At the time of the contract
for the purchase of the business being entered into he
believed that three of his nominees had been appointed
directors of the company, and shares to the amount
of £120,000 were allotted to him and his nominees, and he
afterwards received £20,000 in cash. He was appointed
perpetual chairman of the company at a salary of £5OOO
year, which he received until shortly before the wi ndin g-
up order was made. A dividend was declared about
fifteen months after the company was formed, and he
received £20,480 in cash, in respect of the shares held
by himself and his nominees. The Universal Contract
Corporation (Limited) had promoted various sQlemes,
three of which only had been successful. The bank-
rupt partly explained his deficiency by the payment
of £lOOO to the editor of a paper for settling cross
actions between them, and to his personal expenses,
which during the period of two-and-a-half years
amounted to £16,744. In examination by Mr. Woulfe,
the bankrupt stated that the company used to order
£2OO worth of stamps, and send out 100,000 circulars
at a time. Eventually the public examination was
adjourned for additiona nts to be filed by the
bankrupt.