The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-04-22
THE LIFE INSURANCE MATTER

; Last week there were some rumor
afioat concerning the settlement of tn
! amount called for by an insurance polio
on the life of a Young man named Anto
, Miller late of Two Rivers and an employ
10 one of the factories there. At tina
time it was thought the ugly ramors wer
not general and as it was apparent Their
was great deal of fiction mixed up will
a little truth, no attention wss givel
them. The matter is now topic in tn,
newspapers of this place and Milwaukee
and is in every one's mouth SO that the
readers of The Pilot may justly claim
to be informed of the facts.
The insurance was on the life of Anton
Miller and was for the sum of $780,
The policy was made out in 1873 and 8
little over year after, Miller died. His
sister with whom he lived, Mrs. Maria
Kreczek was the beneficiary named in
the policy. 1t is said that she claims the
policy was never in her possession and
the fact is she never knew much about
what her brother had done. The policy
was written up by the special agent of
the company. Connecticut Mutual, man
named Schloeman. Schloeman is no
longer in the employment of the COM
pany aud his whereabouts do not seem
| to be known.
When Miller died and the company re-
ceived notice of his death, the amount
called for by the policy was sent to this
place, by draft. The draft was cashed
in the bank of T. G. Shove and the
woman gave her receipt for the full
amount. Mr.. Franz was present to
identify her at the bank aud here is how
his name has become mixed up in the
transaction. He published card in last
weeks Northwestern stating he did not
write up the policy, which is without
question true, as he was not the agent of
the company. He also says if anybody
has been unjustly dealt with it was the
action of the agent, Schloeman.
Schloeman was here at the time the
loss was settled. The money was paid
on the day that the brick block in which
Francs Office was located took fire,
caused by DR.. Gridley's running his
stove-pipe into the ventilator fue.
Franz left the parties very hurriedly
when the alarm was given that his office
was on fire.
The whole trouble arises from the fact
that Mrs. Kreczek says she received only
$1,000 of the $1,000 to which she was
entitled by the terms of the policy. The
company paid out $4,000, less few dol
lars retained for some purpose and this
money was paid over the counter at Mr..
Shove's bank so that either the woman
lies or there has been dishonesty some
where. To that extent the record is clear.
Mr.. Franz invites investigation and
says In his card that the matter will in
all probability be judicially investigated
and then the guilty party will be revealed.
vi course there are people who will jump
at conclusions and declare this man and
that, guilty of fraud without particle of
evidence on which to base an opinion.
SO far as Mr.. Franz is concerned he las
been in public position for MANY years
and has handled large sums of money
for other people with abundant chance
Tor Incorporating funds if he chose.
But SO lar he has not been charged with
even suspicion of dishonesty. His
reputation should count in the present
ordeal to which he is subjected and will
with all who know him. The matter will
doubtless be investigated. 1t is said the
company has signified its intention to do
80. Meanwhile it will be best for people
to believe little less than one half what
they hear. There are about so rumors
atioat not one of which is true. One is
to the effect that warrant has been is
sued. There is not word of truth in il.
Another ID to the effect that gentleman
In the interest of Mr.. Franz offered the
woman 81, 900 to quiet the whole thing.
The person mentioned is too highminded
to engage In any questionable proceeding
and wouldn't do anything dishonorable
to protect any man.
1t Is proper that the matter be thor.
oughly sifted so that public condemna-
ton, if not legal punishment, be visited
upon the party who committed the fraud.
LII the woman has been defrauded she
should have justice done her and the
guilty person should be punished. Ii
she has lied and thus cast suspicion upon
people who are innocent, she should be
held up to public execration. The mat
ter has now passed beyond those i'm
medlately interested. 1t has been talked
over by everyone and everyone seems to
have formed an opinion one way or the
other, and there is demanded some in
vestlgation which will quiet rumors.
The manner in which the matter was
first made public is not without interest.
Mr.. Desmond of Milwaukee is general
agent of the company. He has been
working off and on in this county for the
last two years.
Two weeks ago he was laboring with
man in Two Rivers with a view to in
surfing him. As proof Of the excellence
of his company he instanced the payment
of $4,000 to resident of the city, as he
had record of the case in his book.
This started inquiry and it was found
that the woman denied having received
that amount. She had previously denied
having received anything, but later
admitted she had received $1,000. Mr..
Desmond at once instituted an investi-
cation and fOund that the oonopony Ia