The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-13
Historical Doubles.

Few historical characters have had
more counterfeit presentments than
Sebastian of Portugal, who, being found
missing after 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 man presented him
self at the Venetian senate claiming to
be the last heir of Portugal, escaped
from twenty years captivity among
the Moors. He possessed great personal
resemblance to the last prince, was ac-
quainted with secrets concerning the
royal family, and had certainly strong
evidence to produce in favor of his
of the long series of impostors who had
assumed the title Sebastian, and was
sent to the galleys. To the close of his
life, however, he persisted in his tale,
and its truth is one of the many histori-
cal mysteries that are never likely to be
cleared Up. Russia, too, has had its
historical "doubles.n Many counter
feits arose TO personate that Demetrins,
son of the czar, as grand duke of
Muscovy," who was murdered in 1900.
In 1878 an impostor arose who asserted
that he was Peter III. He led an army
against the Empress Catherine, but was
defeated and executed in IT'S. There
were many claimants to the title of
Louis XVII. In the present century
man named EleazarWilliams, residing
in Canada, was believed by many per-
sons to be the unfortunate Dauphin, who
it was said had been secretly conveyed
to America by q faithful servant, in
stead of dying in the temple.
In our own day was there not the
| Tiph hnrnp trial 1ubiob
opinions were so greatly dividedp A
yet stranger case of disputed identity oc-
Cured in the sixteenth century. A GER
tain Martin Guerre. residing in the
province of Hsute Garonne, left his
wife and family and disappeared for
eight years. At the end of this time he
apparently returned to his home, and
was received without suspicion by his
relatives. Martin had number of pc
culiar marks which the new conner also
possessed; the returning prodigal was
also conversans with all the most pri-
vate affairs of the family, and knew
secrets that the wife revealed to her
husband alone. Three years passed
away, and two more children were born
to the supposed Martin, when doubt
of his real identity began to arise. 1t is
not clear what first reused suspicion,
| DuG Ille TuluOT OuCS SeO fuOaU, eNlueHCt
began to pour in, till there was, at least,
strong cause to believe that the reputed
Martin Guerre was only "doppelgan-
ger" of the real man; that he was in
fact certain Arnauld de Tilk, who had
made the acquaintance of the real Mar
tin in Flanders, and traded in his like
ness and the possession of information
obtained from Martin to personate his
comrade to his family. In the midst OF
the discussion the real Martin returned
home, but his appearance, instead Of
mending matters, only
Made the case darker,
Which was dark enough without"
Some swore positively that the first
claimant was the real Martin; others
were equally certain that he was an i'm
postor. The case went for trial, and
the real man succeeded in proving his
identity, the counterfeit Martin (alias
Arnauld du Tilk) being hanged.-Lon
| dan Globe