The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-30
THE MURDER OF ARMSTRONG.
BENJAMIN HUNTERS INSURANCE ON HIS DEBTORS
LIFE-rHE INSURANCE COMPANIES REFUSING
ro nav THE pOIJcIEs-AN INTERESTING CASE

BENJAMIN HUNTERS INSURANCE ON HIS DEBTORS
L1FE-rHE INSURANCE COMPANIES REFUSING
TO PAY THE poLIcIEs-AN INTERESTING CASE.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. %. 1879.
The motive which inspired Benjamin Hunter to
plan and execute the assassination of his friend,
John NJ Armstrong; the desire to realize the III
surance for S26 600 which he he d that unforiu-
nate mans life. Armstrong owed Hunter about
$1,000 and the insurance policies were taken out ny
Hunter avowedy security for this debt. Arm
strongs understanding was that 5000 was to be
the aggregate amount of the insurance policies
which his creditor to obtain, but he was deaf.
and did not uners tand the conversations and neSo
tiations which Hunter held with the officials OF the
insurance companies. He was also careless III sign
ing the papers, so that Hunter deceived him and OBJ
tanned policies his life for nearly four times the
sum agreed upon.
DANGEROUS FACILITY.
The matter was arranged so easily with the in
surance companies that after the murder Hunter
blamed himself for not having secured $780, in
stead of $4,000. The insurance. it will be remem
bered. was placed follows:-$10.000 with the
Mutual. of New York $4,000 With the Provident of
Philadelphia and So, 900 with the Manhattan, OF New
York. The policies all taken out on the same
day early last December. about six weeks before the
killing, and Hunter had paid one quarterly premium
to each company.
Amstrong's body was not cold before Hunter
turned the policies over to his lawyer to collect the
money. At that time this unscemly haste aroused
no suspicion. Even after Hunters arrest and woen
the evidence against him gathering strength the
New York companies. it is said. were anxious to set
tie with him compromise basis. One Of his law
yers stated positively to the HERALD correspondent
that check for 50 600 was placed before him from
the Mutual and Manhattan companies. The Proyi
dent company. of this city however never entered
into any such negotiations. One OF their officers is
said to have declared shortly after Hunters arrest
that he believed him to be the murderer and that
their company would spend $4,000 sooner than pay
cIAIMING THE MONEY.
For some time past negotiations have been pending
between John c. Hunter, the brother OF the muir
derer and the Armstrong family relative to the in
money. The legal advisers OF the two parties
came to understanding last week. Philip p. Arm
visited the Offices Of the three insurance
companies TO obtain copies of their blank
forms used in making claims. At each of
the Offices those in charge refused to give him copies
or to acknowledge any claim. Blanks were obtained
however and applications for the full amount OF the
insurance money were duly made out In the usual
manner The papers were then taken to each Of
the companies Offices in turn; but all refused
The Mutual and Manhattan companies referred the
applicant to their New York offices, and the papers
there. The President, it is said. announced in
enton to contest the matter to the end before pay
ing cent
There is every indication that this case will come
before the courts raising some new legal points OF
great interest and attracting in its way as much at
teption AS the murder trial itself.
Mr. Armstrong; brother is Of opinion that the in
surance companies can be sued for damages FOR lss
larger than the indebtedness. He claimed
that by their culpable neglect they gave
may therefore be considered as in q manner Access
series to the murder. Mr.. Armstrong was formerly
in the insurance business. He says that in the New
England States creditor can have his debtors life
Insured except collateral security and not then in
Ill amount disproportionate to the debt He intends
TO petition the legislatures of New York and Penn
Bylvania to pass similar law for these States.