Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-05-15
= Historical Doubles.

Few historical characters have had
more counterfeit presentments than
Sebastian of Portugal, who, being found
missing after a battle against the Moors
in 1878, was represented by a succession
of impostors for years afterward. Con-
cerning one. of these historians are yet
in doubt. In 1898 a man presented
himself to the Venetian Senate, claim
ing to be the last heir of Portugal, es-
capped from a twenty years captivity
among the Moors. He possessed great
personal resemblance to the last Prince.
was acquainted with secrets concerning
the Royal family, and had certainly
strong evidence to produce in favor of
his claims, but he was decided to b,
another of the long series of impostors
who had assumed the title of Sebastian,
and was sent to the galleys. Te the
close of his life, however, he persisted
in his tale, and its truth is one of the
many historical mysteries that are nev-
er likely to be cleared up. Russia, too,
has had its historical doubles" Many
couDterfeits arose to personate that De-
metrius, son of the Gar, as Grand
Duke Of Muscevy, who was murdered
in 1900. In 1873 an impostor arose who
asserted that he was Peter Ill. He led
an army against the Empress Gather
inc, but was defeated and executed in
1775. There were many claimants to
the title of Louis XVII. In the present
century man named Eleazar Williams,
residing in Canada, was believed by
many persons to be the unfortunate
Dauphin, who it was said had been Sc
cret1y conveyed to America by a. faith
full servant. instead of dying in the
Temple.
In our own day was there not the
Tichborne trial, concerning which opin-
ions were SO greatly divided? A yet
stranger case of disputed identity oc-
CURED in the sixteenth century A
certain Martin Guerre, residing in
the province of Haute Garonne, left
his wife and family and disappeared
for eight years. At the end of this
time he apparently returned to his
hor1e, and was received without
suspicion by the relatives. Martin
had number of peculiar marks which
the new conner also possessed the re-
turning prodigal was also conversant
with all the most private affairs of the
family, and knew secrets that the wife
had revealed to her husband alone.
Three years passed away, and two moro
children were born to the supposed
Martin, when a doubt of his real iden.
tity began to arise. 1t is not clear what
first reused suspicion, but the rumol
once set afoat evidence began to poul
| in, till there was, at least, strong cause
to believe that the reputed Martin Guerre
was only " doppelganger'' of the rea
man; that he was in fact a certain
Arnauld du Tilk, who had made the ac
quaintancc of the real Martin in Elan
| ders, and traded in his likeness and the
| possession of information obtained from
Martin to pcrsonate his comrade to hi!
family. In the midst of the discussion
the real Martin returned home, but hi.
appearance, instead of mending matters
only @
"Made the case darker,
Which was dark enough without"
Some swore positively that the frs
claimant was the real Martin; other
were equally certain that he was an i'm
postor. The case went for trial, ant
the real man succeeded in proving hi
identity, the counterfeit Martin (alia
Arnauld- du Tilk) being hanged. HI
confessed his deception before his exc
cution. In the seventeenth century
long lawsuit dragged on in the Pari
Courts concerning question of dispute'
identity. A man claimed to be the hei
of Calyinist family named De Caille
who had quilted France at the Revoca
ton of the Edict of Nantes. The de
ception was proved at last, but the acci
dental resemblance between this ad
venturer, Pierre Mege, and the de
ceased De Caillc. whom he attempte
to personate, was strong enough to de
ceiye many persons. Globe.