Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-12-03
M0EN'WlLS0N MYSTERY,
WILSON CLAIMS TO BE THE SON OF
THE MILLIONAIRE.
Was Born Two Months After Moen's Mar
riage Was Placed in the Family of
Jonas wilson VINO Disclosed the
secret ON His Death Bed

pROvrDENCE r. l.. Dec. Levi viii
son, who has figured 50 extensively in the
law suits brought against the Worcester
millionaire, Philip l.. Moen, and around
whom there has been so deep a cloud OF
mystery during the past six years, has at
last made what claims to be Il full dis
closure of the secret. He was seen this
evening in the presence Of three gentle
men and said
al was appraised of my parentage in 1870
by Jonas vi lSon, whom | had always sup
posed 20 be my father. We were then re
siding in Qnadick, Il small village in Con
necticut. Jonas Wilson was ON his death
bed and calling me to his side he disclosed
to me that was the legal son of Philip
l.. Moen. Mrs. Wilson and her three
daughters currObOrate Jonas Wilson's
narrative of my birth and the reason why
was placed in their care. The girls are
now married and are known as Mrs Rice,
Mrs. Downs aud Mrs. Young. | was born
in Worcester and as far AS can Judge !
am between 32 and 80 years of age. My
mulher's maiden name was Washburne
and she is dead now. | was put aside and
brought up as Jonas Wilson's
boy, because was born but
Two months after MOen married my
mother, and because my appearance would
thus cause unpleasant talk. After Jonas
Wilson was buried | went to Worcester
My first interview with my father was not
in or near barn, as he has stated, neither
was there any such conversation as he
alleged at the recent trial in Boston. !
went to his office and told him who | was
and how ! had aScertained the truth CON
corning my parentage. At first he would
not recognize me, but | stood up like II
man for my rights, and at last he threw
up both hands and exclaimed: My God,
do you know it p He then acknowledged
me as his son, and has done so to me from
that date to The present date"
Wilson denied that his father Moeu
had given him 500 the first
time they met, but said he gave him Il
suit of clothes, ''and' he said "let me tell
yov, it was the first respectable suit | ever
had had on. was worked liked dog; Jonas
Wilson Kept us all at work. Money was
later given TO me by Moen AMI distrib-
uted it to the Wilson's to keep them still.
The hotel at CXbrldge went that way and
some of the money was given to the Eng
ley family to get rid of them. MOen
heard | WAS married, and although the re
port was not true he appeared particularly
anxious | should break from the Engleys
for fear | would marry one of the girls
and III the confidence of married life eN-
pose the secret of my birth. did separ-
ate from them and the consequence was
the suit for damages which WAS settled on
the payment Of sum of money which
came from Moen.'
81 was loyal to my father, even if he
was not to me and left nothing around
that would endanger his secret; but am
prepared when the time comes to tell
things which will break away all the
barriers. want you and the public to
understand that between Phillip l.. Moen
and myself there has never been anything
done or said of a criminal nature. have
tried to be faithful to him and in return
he has called me his son, blackmailer and
scoundrel. feel as though IA great load
had been taken off my mud in acknowl-
edging all this, but make the disclosure
with some shame. After what he has done
| do not consider it an honor to be called
his son. stood by him for years and he
has gone back on me-