The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
spscuratIng in Life Insurance Policies

Specializing in Life Insurance FCAhVAeS
Alonzo G. Koontz and John +. StarneT
were arrested on Saturday last and baiied IN
the sum of s., 900 each to answer the charge
of forging an application for an insurance
policy on the life of Samuel Young. a near
ing was given them before Justice u W.
Crapster on Wednesday, D. n. Henmng,
ESQ, appearing for the State, Hon. Chas Is.
Roberts for Alouzo G. Koontz, and Hon.
John L. Smith for John T. Starner. After
investigation Starner was discharged and
KoontZ held to bail for the action OF the grand
Jury al the next term of the circuit court, on
the charge of forgery at common law, mis-
demeauor The testimony was not direct or
conclusive, but showed that policy for Sl5,-
GOO was taken out on the life of Samuel
Young, aged nearly 81 years, and that Mr..
Young neither signed an application tor a
policy nor authorized any one else to do so:
II was in evidence, also, that Koontz had said
he sold two interests in the policy and had Of
fered a 81, 600 interest to a merchant, living
not far from this city. Koontz was arrested
on information he himself had unwittingly
given. but as he could not be compelled to
testify against himself, important facts re-
lated by him could not be gotten at legally.
The insured and the accused all live IN My
ers' district
After investigating points directly bearing
on this case, the counsel on both sides sought
TO investigate the insurance business as con-
ducted in this county, By agents OF foreign
companies, and many important facts were
brought out. The insurance business, 1t ap-
peared, was sort of n hucksterng business,
and policies were taken out in very irregular
manner The parties insured, an insurance
agent stated, were IRON 65 TO 50 years OF age.
1t was also shown that the greater the death
rate the greater profit to the officers OF the
company, and it was to the interest of these
officers 10 have infirm and unsound persons
insured Agents get compensation cores.
ponding to the number ofpoicies taken and
the amount of insurance. Il was to their IN.
terest to insure persons, and where an aged
person was found who was unable to take out
a policy, the agent hunted up persons who
would do so. Sometimes a number of per
sons would be interested in one policy, and
consequently aRxiously awaiting the death OF
the insured in order TO get the insurance.
Such speculation is revolving 10 public
morals ii not criminal, and il IS not stopped
NAV lead 20 serious consequences. Il has
led to forgery already, and if not checked
may lead 10 murder. This speculation on
the lives of people in whom the beneficiary
has no interest, Is wide spread IN the county
Many of the aged in this county, who have
lived honest and upright lives, who are re-
spected by their neighbors and expect TO be
kindly remembered when dead, little suspect
that half dozen or more persons are anx
iously awaiting their death hour. for We doubI
not that many are insured aud have noknowl
edge of it.
We may add, however, that some who have
been specializing in life insurance policies nc
doubt have done so thoaght!essly, without
considering the tendency Of such transaction,
the community.