The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-02-03

From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.

From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
The Northwestern Mutual Life ms. Com
pany, OF this city, has singular case on
its hands, which may be explained in a
few words. On the 18th of December last
a package containing $74s.9 81 was received
in Cincinnati by the United States Elk
press Co., from their Office in Leaven-
worth Kansas, directed to Mrs. Rhoda
Johnston. There was also note in the
package directed to the agent of the Elk
EDress Company, requesting HIM to see that
Mrs. SRhoda Johnston got the money, and
that She signed receipt tor the same,
which was to be returned to Leavenworth.
This money was the balance due to Mrs.
Johnston on a policy of $4,000, issued by
the Northwestern on the life of Marcus L.
Johnston who died at Cincinnati last May
day or two after lady calling herself
Mrs Rhoda ] ohnston called at the Office
to get the package, exhibited letters, and
also brought in a clerk from
|of the o. northwestern, the local
office who had paid her sew
eral months previously, $500 on account
Of this policy, and he identified her and
signed the receipt book in the express
office with her for this package, and she
took the money away with her Shortly
after in came another Rhoda Johnston,
who claimed to be the vile of the deceas-
ed, and to hold the policy of $4,000, Oh
which she had received $3.50 and not hear
ing anything from 1t, had commenced suit
to recover the balance After some ex
animation into the matter, and the second
women being identified, the two widows
were brought to Cincinnati, and now
comes the strange part ofthe story as told
by Cincinnati paper. $500.
Both of the women claimed their names
were Rhoda Johnston; both were wives
of Marcus l.. Johnston, deceased both
had brother-in-law in Kansas named
George E. Johnston They both knew
him, and he had visited at both their
houses in this city. No. was married
seventeen years ago by Bishop Simpson,
and No. 2 was married eight ago, near
New York city, by a Squire, and had
two children by her husband. No. I said
her husband had never been away from
her beyond few weeks at time, and
six, seven and eight years ago he resided
with her in Evansville, where he was in
business, while No. 2 said he lived with
her for years in New York and here
Both had held the policy of $4,000 on the
life of Marcus L. Johnston in the North
western Mutual Life Insurance Company,
and both had sent it to George e. Johns
ton to collect, mo. sending, in addition,
a power of attorney to collect the money.
No. 1 claimed that by agreement between
the two brothers, Marcus l.. and George
E., that, as Marcus could not pay the
premium, George E. was to do so, and re
ceive one-half Of the policy for his adVan-
ces and trouble. Ne. received 5000 last
spring, and in October the $74S 81, and a
making the $1,000, all that was due her;
while No. 2 says she received $3.50 last
spring from George e. Johnston.
These women were questioned seperate-
y andapart, and both tell straight forward
stories. They were told tha one must be
n imposter, &c., and told if they were
,ying what the consequence would be, but
neither finched an iota They were ques-
toned and cross-questioned, and every
effort made to have them contradict them
selves, but without stccess. Each one tells
the story over and over exactly the same
each time. fl
During the progress of the investiga-
ton, No. showed photograph of Mr..
Johnston. No 2 said that was him, sure
enough, and produced boy, her son, the
perfect image Of the photographed face.
Those engaged in endeavoring to unravel
the mystery, admit that they never saw
or heard of such mixed up case. Every
theory advanced is knocked over by facts
which can not be got over AS both claim
Geo. E. Johnston as their brother in-law,
both know him, and he has stopped at
their houses, it was suggested by Mr..
Henderson, agent of the United States
Express Company which was agreed to
that the photographs of the two women
should be taken and sent to the Superin
tendent Of the Express Co. at Leavenworth
Kansas, who is to see George E. Johnston
and ascertain if his brother had two wives,
and if not, which of these women is really
his wife b9
These photographs were sent off on
Faiday evening, with full particulars of
the cases, and all parties arc now waiting
the answer from Leavenworth.