Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-07
a GRASS WIDOW
Who Sought Consolation From
the knights of Honor.

can League Of Honor recently made
narrow escape from a we'll planned
imposition. The Knoxville Tribune.
OF the 9th, gives the particulars that
follow and several sfidavits, all quite
similar in style. One only is copied
here as specimen:
Major L. A. Gratz, who is Chair
man of the Committee of Appesls
and Grievances of the Supreme Lodge
OF the Knights Of Honor, and whose
duty 1t is to investigate and pass upon
all doubtful and disputed insurance e
claims against the order, has been an
ticlpating trip to California upon
official business of very romantic
nature. Not long since the wife of
one Robert PROXY made claims
against the Knights of Honor for
$1,000, and against the American
League of Honor for $500 as insurance
for her husband alleged to Ihaye
drowned at Santa Monico, on the Pa
ci6c coast. Robert PROXY lived at
Wills Point, Texas, and belonged to
the two orders above named. He
left Wills Point for San Francisco,
from there he went TO Los Angeles,
and thence to Santa Monico. Shortly
after reports of his having drowned
in the bay while bathing reached his
wife and acquaintances. The wife
was heart broken and stubbornly re.
fused all sympathy and all aid ten.
dered her by friends.
She returned to Wills Point, Texas.
and after some time was prevailed
upon to present her claims to the two
orders of insurance we have men
toned. The following affiiavits were
received by Major l.. A. Gratz as
evidence Of the death of PROXY:
AFFIDAVIT OF B. BoDEN.
B. Boden being first duly sworn.
deposes and says: My name is b.
Boden; my age is fifty-two; | was born
in Prince George county, MARYLAND.
la the fall Of 1878 | went to
Gainesville, Texas. where in A.r;i
1882, | first met ROber' y ,robv -mil, pnn
deceased. He was there toy, to S,.rt no" |"
pain 1H1se; not getting sufficient
water, ne gave over the enterprise, and
ne and | separated, / going to EI
Psso. Robert PROXY came to Asleto
twelve miles below FL Prso., and /
met him in El Paso twice. We came
out to Los Angeles county together
ne bringing bis family. We made a
trip to San Francisco and returned in
the latter part of August
loo2. On August 18th the deceased
Robert PROXY, a young man
named heron and myself went to San
IA MOnico to look at the place and
baths; | never went in bathing with
Mr.. PROXY, as l could not swim; we
stopped at the tent kept on the beach
by Mrs Witherow; Mr.. PROXY went
in bathing every day; on August 30,
1857, between eight aud nine o'clock
pm, | was on the beach near the
clothes of Mr.. PROXY and those Of Mr..
leron; Mr.. PROXY went into the water
ahead Of Mr.. Aeron; cautioned them
not to go out too far, as the water was
rough; Mr.. PROXY said he could swim
the buoy and back, and swan out
head of Mr.. Heron; | heard Mr..
Proby cry out for help; Mr..
PROXY and Zeron were alone in
the waters; the breakers were so
high | did not sec Mr. PROXY after his
cries for help. Mr.. Zeron soon swan
in and said he could not find MIR
PROXY, and Zeron hurried off for helm.
| remained with the clothes; | have
never since seen the body OF PROXY, or |
heard Of any one who claims to have |
seen it. There are devil fsh-one was
caught recently at that spot, forty feet
long-aud great many shark in the
bay at Santa Monico, the ocean Il |
there SO even in its shore as 10 iOrm !
very little Of bay; the kelp was tour |
or five feet thick aad veFg extensive
at the place where Mr.. PROXY was LOST: !
persons are frequently drowned bv
getting it tangled around their feet:
Just after August 3Oth the amount Of !
the kelp prevented bathing,
THE FRAUD EXPOSED.
The Tribune concludes as follows.
The story was plausible, and the cir
cumstanees, together with the positive
evidence, quite conclusive. But there
were some things to create suspicion
Mrs. PROXY, at Willis Point, Texas,
was getting letters from some one at
regular intervals. This created some
wonder. Sharp men began to study
the eyi9eRee aud one falsehood was
detected in one Of the afhdavitS. The
story of the devil fish was all CANNON.
No such fish had ever been caught at
Monico. 1t was Matched up appar.
emily to give better semblance to the
theory Of Proby's death. 1t was a
kind Of "laniappe" thrown in to make |
good measure Of plsusibillty.
Detectives we're put to work and the
tearfAl aud borrowing Mrs. PROXY was
The letters came on con>
stantly. Finally clue was reached.
The quarry was had burst cover. The
chase warmed up. He heard the
Sleuth on his scent. The following |
telegram to Major Gratis explains the |
balance OF the little romance:
WILLIS POINT, TEX, August g.
L. A. Gratz, Knoxville, Tenn Let.
ters from Robert PROXY we're received |
here to- day, admitting tho whole fraud. /
We condOle the widow for lher lost
insurance, and Major Gratz for a lost |
trip across the continent.
VtgiIauts at Wo.L