Connecticut western news., 1874-04-10
An Old Identity Case.

town in France named Manosque, shortly before the edict of Nantes was revoked. There were sons and daugh- ters, nearly all of whom died. Com pelled to leave the country, their prop erty given over to near relations, the family established themselves at Lau- same, where, in 1896, the eldest and last surviving child, Isaac, died, aged thirty-two. An aunt, Madame Roland, to whom the forfeited property had passed, had intended handing it over to her nephew, but on his death gave it all to the poor, making special mention in her will of the reason that prompted her to this disposition. There was something remarkable in this unusual step, and it naturally attracted public attention.
 Scarcely a year later, common marine in the navy presented himself to the naval inspector at Toulon. and declared that he was the Isaac Caille who was supposed to have died. The marine professed wish to abjure Oal- vinism, placed himself under the hands of the Jesuits, and within three weeks made formal recantation in the cathe- dral at Tculon. The news spread abroad,
 nd was communicated to his father, who simply wrote back that his son was dead, and enclosed certificate of de- cease. On this the naval inspector had the prose1yte arrested, who boldly de- handed to be examined. The legal proceedings that followed will be found interesting, as showing how the French law dealt with almost the same state of facts as arose in the late English cause celebre. The law officers directed that l L. l. 4oIr L. n. 4~ the family had lived, and be confronted with all and every one who had a chance of recognizing him. Meanwhile the aunt had inquiries set on foot, which resulted in the discovery that he was one Peter Mege, son of convict She now intervened, and demanded that the case should be dealt with criminally. A degree was accordingly made that the nal one should be joined, and both should go forward together. He ap- pealed to the provincial parliament, which decided that the criminal trial should go on, at least so far as sentence, of the civil process. This was accord came forward to prove that he was
 
 would seem, of the judges, who now only awaited the progress of the civil trial. After seven years delay the case closed. A vast number of witnesses had been examined, and the parliament decided that he had proved his case, and was the son of Caille. He was at once put in possession of the property. Within three weeks time the marine had married woman whose family were believed to have furnished money to carry on the proceedings.
 The public were presently to have another surprise. On the news of this marriage, 8 woman came forward to make declaration that she was the wife of Peter Mege, who had thus de- serted her and married another, and she asked for justice. She gave all necessary details.
 This, 1t will be seen, complicated the matter still further, and threw upon the family the burden of proving three questions: first, that this claimant was not Caille secondly, that he was Peter Mege thirdly, that he was the husband of the woman who claimed to be his wife. The Hollands were all but ruined by the litigation but, on this new turn, they raised some money and appealed to the Court of Cessation at Paris. This tribunal quashed the proceedings, and ordered fresh investigation. Then the case was gone into with more regularity than had attended the proceedings of the provincial court. At every turn the reader is surprised to find how the ele- ments of this case correspond with those of the interesting one lately tried at Westminster. The truth is, in all such matters the claimant has singu- lar advantage, very much akin to that possessed by the tradesman who claims payment for bill where the receipt has been lost. In fact, it might be broadly asserted that the most contradictory statements can be made about any transaction which took place eight or ten years ago.
 The soldiers case seemed, indeed, a very strong one. When he went down to the family place there were people who recognized him at once, and were filled with joy and delight on seeing him. No less than three hundred and ninety four witnesses were called on his behalf and no less than one hundred and ten swore to, or believed, the fact that he was the young heir of the Gail les. Four nurses came forward to de- clare that they nursed him when an in- fant. Ore of these nurses declared that the infant Caille had certain marks on his person, the same as were found upon the soldier. The latter were ex- amined by doctors, and it was discov. cred that he had 8 scar or cicatrice or his left eyelid, and cautery on his Jeff leg. There was also found a mark which seemed to be that oi a closed issue.
 Various gentlemen of the neighbor
 hood came and talked with him, ano were satisfied with his answers. IT this reinvestigation a little difficulty arose as to his description-the family resented his calling himself by the , name of the person he professed to be- 1 and it was settled by the court that he ] should be spoken of as "the- soldier claiming to- be-C -Caille."
 , When, however, he came to be ex
 amined as to his recollections, he broke down completely. He was asked about the names of people in the place, the furniture of the house, descriptions o persons, color of their hair, etc, and could give no information. It was . found that he was stupid, utterly un educated, of rough, savage manners, ! and could hardly read or write. Or
 the other hand, it was shown that tho deceased young man was accomplished , was particularly we'll read in mathe matics, good scholar, and had the manners of gentleman. Then, as tt appearance. The soldier was tall , stout, heavy, and corpulent; the young | man was slight and small had long
 hands, light-colored hair, and aquilin' nose: He had always lived with hi family in Switzerland till the day O. his death. The soldier said that he hat
 run away from his father, who treated
 him harsh1v because he wished-as ht