Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-09-19
MTSeEEEssAr~ r~ys
Mistaken Identity,

The above rather paradoxical title Is no,
intended 10 introduce a general disquisition
upon the subject which il involves, but sins
ply to herald brace of narratives, new to
most, If not all our readers, illustrating the
legal question Of personal Identity, and, col
laterally. the uncertainty of circunstantial
evidence.
II is by no means unusual to find strong
personal resemblance in members of the
same family, and there are numerous histori-
cal cases where il has been imposs ible TO
distinguish readily between twin-broihers
and iwin.sistees. Shakespeare two Dsoaaios
have often had their counterpart in actual
life, when the reality has proved even more
wonderful than the fiction of that great mas
Ter. But, when these close resemhisnces
in person and manner exists ia two ind:vid-
aals not ALI, d by blood, and who, having
never met, have had no opportunity for as
similalion, either prrposeiy or involuntarily,
the circumstances become more RENAL kabiy,
and, as they are also inacountable, are right
~ classed among the freaks of nature. The
particulars detailed in ono Of the cases am
about TO relate, would seem to indicate that
nature had 8 a method in Ler madaess,' and
really restored 10 every expedient to Lewild-
er both the objects Of her pastime and all
that portion Of the human family that might
witness her strange handiwoik.
Hitherto, the most prominent cases of mis-
taken identity on record has beea that of
Martin Guerre, mere synopsis Of which
most readers, doubtless, being familiar with
IT'S detaiIs--will suffice ia this place.
Martin Guerre, of Biscay, about the year
i510, after ten years OF wedlock, abandon
ed his family, and mystcriously disappear
ed. Eight years afterward, a person, even
lually identified as ore Arnaud du 11lh
presented himself to the wife Of Guerre, ard
WAS recognized, both by herself and her re-
latives, as her long absent husband. AS the
true Martin, he made bis peace with Mad
am Guerre, resumed the marital relation.
and they had, in the course OF three years,
two children. Until this period, no suspiei-
on of an imposture had been excited for,
according to the record, he had 'exaclly the
features, stature, and complexion Of Guer-
re-" More than this, he was perfectly fami-
fiar tytt al.
PEI sonal history of all the Guerre family,
answering promptly all questions on the sub
Jecs and even reminding some Of them of
trivial matters which they had at first fail
ed to reiaember About this time, but from
what cause does not appear, his identity was
doubted, and he was arraigned before judi
cial tribunal. The Investigations were Sc
we're and pro traeted. Nearly two hundred
Witnesses were examined, who were about
equally divided in their opinions. The sist-
ers Of Martin@Guerre, four In nuriber, testi-
fed positively that the plisoneF vas their
brotheE and he was even found 70 possess
certain seefet marks which were known 10
have been upon the person of Guerfe. The
resalt Of this trial scents to have turned up
on two apparently trivial facts; While in
every other particular Of person and man.
ner he could not be distinguished from Guer-
re, Il was proved, by 4 shoemaker, thar there
was difference of three lines in the length
of his foots and also; by other witnesses,
that he knew nothing whatever OF wrestl-
Ing, whereas Guerre had been remarkably
desteroos in that exercises lie was in the
end declared an impostor, but appealed to
higher tribunal, and the examinations were
there renewed. Before they ssere cpnclud.
ed, however, the real Martin Gsiefre an
peared, having been sent home from the
wars with a Wooden leg. Even then, Du
TiIh PERSISTED in his former assumptions,
declaring his opponent to be the impostor,
and, strangely enough, was able to give
better account of Queries antecedents than
even 0nerre himself; while the NUMEROUS
Witnesses were still divided in their opinions
as te which was the real Martiu. TO end
the story he was finally conticted and,
when he found that his execution was in
etitable, heconfessed that, on returning from
the camp in Picardy, be had met with cer-
tain Of Guerre's friends by whom he was
mistaken For him, and WHO, in the course Of
numerous conversations, communicated to |
him SO MANY pefsonal particulars concefa-
ing himself, his wife, and their two families;
as well as their neighbors in Biscay, that,
possessing vefy reien;ive msmJry. and IS
sured of the strong personal resemblance. I.
he felt confident of successfully personaiing
him, and thus securing the comforts Of
home ana the mears of livelihood. He was