Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-14
dNortester 1ailp Spp.
THE ROMANCE OF LIFE INSURANCE.

HTSI kuOWU lEduu occurred Ill 1lOU. In that
year, i'll an obscure part of London, lived
man, tall, midde-aged, with a semi-military
bearing, with young woman of about twenty,
reputed to be his daughter. They lived re-
specially, though poorly, and being very quiet
made few acquaintances and no friends. Sud
denly, one night the woman was taken ill. A
physician was called, thought it slight attack
and left prescription but almost immediate
ly afterward the patient grew rapidly wors.,
and, before the doctor could be recalled, ex-
pired in great agony. He came, felt her pulse,
placed his hand on her heart shook his head,
and intimated that all was over She was
buried in due form, the sorrowing father pres
emily claimed and received a considerable sum
which had been insured upon the life of his
daughter, and shortly disappeared.
Not very long thereafter, an old gentleman
and his daughter took possession of respect
able house in the neighborhood of Queen
Square, where they soon attracted attention by
receiving much company, keeping generous
table, and opening their parors to somewhat
high play-at which it was afterward remem-
bered that though the old man did not engage.
no one ever won of the young woman. But
stop was soon put to these amuSementS. The
lady was taken suddenly ill; spasms at the
heart convulsed her frame; several physicians
We're hastily sent for, while the man hung over
his supposed daughter in apparent agony of
spirit. One physician only arrived in time to
again see her initiate the appearance of death
the others, satisfied that life had fled, gave
their certificates and pocketed their fees The
coffin was again put under ground, and again
the bereaved father received many thousand
pounds from the various underwriters, mer-
chants, and companies, with whom he had ill.,
sured the life of the departed.
Again-this time few years later-thcse
two able actors re-appeared upon the same
stage. This time the scene was Liverpool
the man ship owner of reputed wealth, with
whom lived his niece, an unmarried lady, own
ing considerable landed property in her own
right. This was the report inSidiouSly spread
and generally believed on change, where he
came to be much respected by those who dealt
with him. His house was open, and his niece
dispensed its hostiities in a most graceful man
ner. Presently it wRs rumored that unsuc-
cessful ventures had occurred to which he
frankly owned mentioning gradually that his
affairs demanded some ready money, which he
would be forced to borrow. To do so on the
security OF his niece's property, it became ne
cessary that he should insure her life for
about $4,000. AS this was singular transac-
ton, he found no difficulty in getting under
writers. To save his credit he asked that the
matter be kept secret; and under cover ofthis
secresy he succeeded in etfecting insurance
with no less than ten different merchants and
companies in London and elsewhere. Once
more the game was in his hands. In few
weeks the lady was taken ill. The physician
summoned found her in convulsions admins
tered a specific, was recalled during the night
but came too late; death had apparently set
inland in the morning all Liverpool knew
the merchants niece had died suddenly.
This time no haste was made with the funer-
al. The lady almost lay in state for several
days, and was visited by numbers the ply
stefan certified that she had died of com
plant he could hardly name; the grave receiy-
ed the coffin and the sorrowing uncle went
about his business. He seemed to suffer
much, was careless about his affairs, and in no
haste at all to claim the assurances, most of
which stood over for months after they be-
came due. He had selected his men with care
and knew they would pay. Finally conceiv-
ing distaste for the place where he had suffer-
ed so much, he removed for change of air, and
was heard from no more. Some time after his
final disappearance, suspicious were aroused
and on comparing notes and descriptions the
various life insurers were forced to the con-
clusion that they had been yictimized by the
shrewdest and most audacious of villains. He
was never more heard from, and no doubt pru-
IDENTITY enjoyed in some distant country the
fruits of his successful swindles 1t is difficult
to account for the repeated success of so bold a
fraud and it is generally thought that the
young woman possessed the power OF simulat-
ing death, of which we read remarkable cases
in the records of various times.
Shortly after the establishment of the
Equitable" which is now the oldest on the
list of English life insurance companies a man
named lines insured the life of his step
daughter for $1,000. She died shortly after
under tragical and suspicious circumstances
and Innes produced will apparently executed
by her, declaring him executor and legatee.
Its validity was contested by the company,
and he brought two witnesses who swore bold
ly to all the formalities. They had convinced
the jury, when Innes, to make assurance dou-
bly, sure, insisted on calling a third witness, to
prove that he was present at the signature and
the attestaton of the will. This mans cour-
age tailed,or his conscience troubled him. Wan
and ghastly he entered the witness box where
his first words were, only Lord, my name is
Borthwick | am brother to the witness of the
same name who has been examined The will
was not made in the Bridegate of Glasgow it
was forged by a schoolmaster in the Maze, in
the borough"
"There is a screw loose" muttered lines,
on the instant endeavoring to glide out of
conrt. But too late. He was taken, tried,
and hung.
In 1880 occurred fraud which has since
been often repeated. A lady's life was insur-
ed for G2OO0 She was apparently in vigor"
Gus health. Six months after claim was
made for the money. All the forms were reg.
uar the disease was certified to be of the
lungs-one which the companys physician
should have more easily discovered. The di-
rectors felt disagreeably toward their secreta-
ry and physician, but, as all seemed right,
honoaby paid up. Presently rumor came
to them. On examination it was found that
one sister being i'll and utterly given over to
death, the other brought certificate of the
invalid death, personated her at the Office de-
ceived everybody, afterward sent in the GER
tilicate of her sisters death, obtained the mon
cy, and prudently disappeared
An important and just decision was made in
1903, in the case of Godsoll & Co., coachma-
kers to William Pitt, against the Pelican Com
pany. Pitt was known to be extravagant and
never to pay his debts Godsoll & Co., UNI
willing to lose his custom, whenever his bill
with them reached Gl000 insured his life for
the sum--a practice which has since become
very general, and is now counted one of the
great commercial advantages OF life insurance.
Pitt died in their debt and insolvent. But the
state determined to pay his creditors. Never.
theless the coach-makers made claim also for
their insurance money. The company urged
that the insurance was made to pay n special
debt, which debt having been discharged
by the nation, Godsoll & Co., had no
insurable interest in Pitts life and the judges
righteousy sustained this point Had they
done otherwise, the law previously passed to
prevent gambling in lives would have been
practically annulled. The company however,
were made to return the premiums paid. 1t is
not amiss to state here another decision, made
in 1890. to the effect that life insurance con.