The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-29
THE Globe.l

Few historical characters have had
more counterfeit presentments than Sc
bastian of Portugal, who, being found
missing after battle against the Moors
in 1878, was represented by succession
of impostors for years afterward. Con-
cerning one of these historians are yet
in doubt. In 1893 man presented
himself to the Venetian Senate claim
ing to be the last heir Of Portugal es-
capped from 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 be an
other of the long series of impostors
who had assumed the title of Sebastian,
and was sent to the galleys.
To the close of his life, however, he
persisted in his tale, and it's truth is one
Of the, many historical. mysteries that
are never likely to be cleared up. Rus
sia, too, has mad its historical doubles"
Many counterfeits arose to personate
that Demetrius, son of the Gar, as
"Grand Duke of Museovy," who was
murdered in 1000. In 1878 an impostor
arose who asserted that he was Peter III.
He led an army against the Empress
Catherine. but was defeated and. exc
cuted in 1775. There were many claim
ants to the title of Louis XVII. In the
present century a man named EleazaI
Williams, residing in Canada, was be-
lieved by many persons to be the unfor-
tunate Dauphin, who it was said had
been secretly conveyed to America by q
faithful servant, instead Of dying in the
Temple.
In our own day was there not the Itch.
borne trial, concerning which opinions
were SO greatly divided? A yetstrange,
case of disputed identity occurred in The
sixteenth century. A certain Martin
Guerre, residing in the Province of Hautf
Garonne, left his wife and family and
disappeared for eight years. At the enc
of this time he apparently returned te
| his home, and was received without sus
picion by the relatives. Martin had {
number of peculiar marks which the new
conner also possesseds the returning prod
igal was also conyersant with all thu
most private affairs Of the family, anc
knew secrets that the wife had revealed
to her husband alone. Three years passed
away, and two more children were borr
: to the supposed Martin, when doubt o
his real identity began to arise.
; 1t is not clear what first aroused sus
: picion, but the rumor once set afoat evi
, dence began to pour in, till there was, a
least, strong cause to believe that tn
) reputed Martin Guerre was only .
"doppelganger" of the real man; tina
he was in fact certain Arnauld dh Tilk
who had made the acquaintance of tn
real Martin in Flanders, and traded il
his Likeness and the possession Of in
formation obtained from Martin to per
senate his comrade to his family. In th,
midst Of the discussion the real Martil
returned home, but his appearance, in
stead of mending matters, only T..
Made the case darker, .y
: Which was dark enough without" u,
Some swore positively that the frs
claimant was the real Martin; other
were equally certain that he was an i'm
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