Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-03
DISTRIBUTING WILSON'S STORY.
The Woman He Claims a. His Mother
Died Before IKE Was lsOrn.

sspoc- Wilson's statement claiming that he was
the son OF millionaire Moen, published yesterday,
does not seem TO have cleared up the mystery TO
any extent, as wilson's story is generally dis
credited A Providence dispatch says that all
dates and all the evidence collected to-day contra
dict the story that Wilson Is the son of Philip l.
Moen. Wilson, by his own statement and state
mentS OF his friends, cannot be more than thirty
one or thirty-two years old. Moen was first mar
red in 1S46, forty years ago. and his first wife died
before Wilson was born. These dates alon contra
dict his story completely. Lifelong residents OF
Worcester say il is impossible that Mcen could
bear any such relation to Wilson. The first Mrs.
Moen WAS a lady Of very lovely character. she
was firm and upright woman, and neither she
nor her family would have coUntenanced any such
proceedings as are alleged. Moen'S father was a
New York iron merchant, residing In Brooklyn,
when Philip L. Moen came 10 Worcester. An old
chum of Wilson'S In Providence says there Is no
truth In the story, and that Wilson is no more
Mems son than he is Miss Agenath sampson. an
aged nurse, says she went % live in lchabod Wash
burns family when Eliza WaShburn, Moens nfst
wife, was only twelve years old. She has nurSeS,
in and been intimate with both families from that
time TO this. Wilson "haS clt his own fingers IN
telling this story, for such an event "a he alleges
could not have taken place without her knowledge.
She uursei both OF Mr.. Noen's wives al the birth
Of all his children. and had known him intimately
since he was twenty-one wears or age. He was
always "a kind, Just and upright man. ana mosl
faithful and loving husband aud father.
Moen and his counsel. W. ". Rice, both deny
wholly and In detail, and I'm the most positive ana
complete manner, Wilson's story.
Wilson, looking pale ana haggard, was seen N
the Office OF his counsel, George j. West, In ProN1
dence, yesterday. He said that now the secret
was out he felt better than he had since he was
seventeen years OF age. eli" said he 'the VII
sons meaning the people with whom he had
lived during his hoyhood days, ''Stand by me now,
shall win my case and triumph over Moen."
He said his alleged mother lived In East Thomp
son, Conn.,, and his two sisters, Mrs. Downs and
Mrs. Young, in Birmingham and AnSonia, Conn
Wilson stated that the story as published Is true,
ana that Moens statement is false in nearly every
particular. ''MOen." Wilson said ''knows that
am his son. He is m admitted perjurer." He said
he would continue his case in the courts 10 The
conclusion which he felt confident would be in his
favor.
The reporter saw Mrs. Young sister OF Wilson
at Putnam, CT, yesterday afternoon. She stated
that Levi was the son OF Jonas Wilson, and that
her aunt was present at the time OF birth. lac
was named after her husband whose name was
Levi FesSenGen, and her her and mother knew
nothing about Moen for years after that.
George s. Hobbs. OF UNbridge. was at one time
counsel for Levi Wilson. Wilson asserted that
Hobbs held papers in his safe which would send
MOen behind the bars as a convict, and that he
was the custodian OF communication from MoeI
to Wilson, I'm which the former addressed the
latter as !.Dear SON." Mr.. Hobbs was asked to-
night what dependence could be placed on WI.
sons story concerning the letters and papers IN
his safe. He said: Il emphaticafy deny the
whole thing. From beginning TO end IL Is false
and On par with other palpable lestold by
Levi Wilson. l had no such papers"
THE RECORD OF WILSON'S BIRTH.
The records OF the town OF oxford, Mass. show
that Levi Wilson was born there on December l.
1853, eleven months after Mrs. Moen died.
Commissioner Hallett, OF the United states
against Philip L. Moen for perjury Oh the com
plaint or Levi Wilson.