Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-03
PHILLIP MOEN'S SECRET.
Another Chapter of One of the Most Fa-
nous Cases of the Generation.

NOUS Od5cb Oh tAhe OCutEatlOh.
PROVIDENCE, R l., December 2.-Un-
able to bear the strain on his mind any
longer, 'DOc" Wilson yesterday morn
ing, broken down in health ana weeping
Ikea child, told the great secret which
has existed between him and Phillip L.
Moen, the great manufacturer, of Worees-
ter, for 50 many years. He told the story
in the prcsenee of four reputable citizens,
who furnished it to your correspondent.
lam looked at as blackmailer," he
said, "and those who believe i have been
bleeding that old man hold me in as much
contempt as yellow dog. But | will
stand it no longer. / am more sinned
against than SHINING, and now the truth
shall be known. My name is not Wilson,
nor am the son Of Jonas Wilson. My
father is the man who is accusing me Of
blackmail, and my name is p. L. Moen, the
lawful son of Levi Moen, of Worcester.
Mr.. Wilson then went on to tell the
story of his birth and the wrong done him
by his father. His story is that he is son
OF MOen's first wife and that he was born
few months after the marriage. Moen,
being deacon and professedly high
toned Christian, did not wish to face the
scandal Of such an early birth for his first
born, 50 bargain was made with old
Jonas Wilson, of Danielsville, Conn, a
stage driver, by which the babe was trans
ferred 10 the latter's care, and was brought
up rs Wilson.
The boy lived and toiled in the humble
sphere to which MOen consigned him, and
it was not until he was a young man grown
that he learned the secret of his uirth. For
that secret he was indebted to the relig-
iOus remorse of his supposed father, Jonas
Wilson. who, being on his death bed, and
not caring to pass the portals with this
burden on his soul, drew the lad toward
him and told him who he was.
After Wilson died the young fellow set
off for Worcester to meet his father face to
face. Their first meeting, Wilson says
was exactly as has been described. He
did meet MOen on that particular
morning and after observing the signs of
wealth and luxury that abounded he de-
manded of Moen some reparation for the
wrong done to the one who should be the
heir to all. Moen at first refused to ac-
knowledge the lad and would have driven
him forth, hut the boy faced his million
aire father detiantly and upbraided him
for the wrong done his mother and him
self. He said:'I will force you to ac-
knowledge me, and the world shall know
YOU or what you are"
"Then Doc says, the bapker-deacon
became alarmed and gave me 500. BY
appointment he met Moen the next day
and consented 10 shield him from shame
The father had, in the meantime, married
again after the death of Docs mother
and had married into n family which
would have sc0rned MOen had they known
of the scandal. Then, according to Will
sons story, the Wilson's, who knew the
secret Ofhis parentage, seeing doc" had
money knew it came from MOen, began
urging claims upon him. Their demands
increased and to satisfy them he had TO
apply 10 MOen for money, and in that way
much of the amount received from the
manufacturer was spent. Mr.. Wilson says
these demadS on him grew 50 exorbitant
that he was almost impoverished by them.
The suits in which certain women fig
urcd were settled, he says, at MOcn's sug-
gestion and with MOen's money, because
the latter feared his relationship to Will
son would come out in the trial.
Wilson has letters which he says are
written by Moen, acknowledging the re-
lationship and calling him "Dear SON"
These letters Mr.. Wilson produced to-day
He says he is the injured one, as instead
of being reared as a gentleman and brought
up amid all the luxuries which his fathers
wealth could purchase, he was cast adrift,
reared as peasant boy without education
and without any of the refinements of life
which would have been his had his cruel
parent done right. Wilson says he can no
longer endure the calumnies with which
he is aSsailed and that his confession of
the secret is true in every respect.
WORCESTER, MASS, December 2.-Mr
Moen was seen rs he came from PRAYER
meeting, and reporters tried to interview
him, hut he would say nothing except that
the story was a lie. Mr.. Rice, MOen's
brother-in-law and counsel, also denied
the story, and said there was plenty of evil
dence TO refute it.