The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-12-02
A PIOUS OLD FRAUD.
A Chapter From the Life of
Deacon MOen.
AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE HIS SIN.
His First Born Tells 1t alI-1hs Re-
morse OF . Dying Man Re-
veals the Scheme.
A PIous Fraud.

Providence, K. l., December l.-Un-
able to bear the strain any longer,
DOC" Wilson, this morning, broken
down in health, and weeping like child,
told the great secret which existed be-
tween him and P. L. Moen.
of Worcester, for so many
years. The story was told in the
presence of four reputable citizens. who
furnished it to the press: 81 am looked
upon as a blackmailsr," he said, land
those who believe have been bleeding
that old man, mold me in as much con
tempt as a yellow dog. / will stand il
no longer l am more sinned against
than SHINING, and now the truth shall
be known. Ny name is not Wilson, nor
am l the son of Jonas Wilson.
Ny father is the man who is accusing
me Of blackmail. and my name, Levi
Moen, the lawful son of z. l.. Moen, OF
Worcester" Wilson then went on 10
tell the story of his birth and the wrong
done him by his father. His
story is that Re is the son of
Moen's first wife: that he was
born q few months after the marriage.
A.oen being q deacon, and professedly
high-toned Christian, did not wish to
face the scandal OF such an early birth
for his first born. so . bargain was
made with Jonas Wilson, of Danielson-
vile, Connecticut, 3 stage driver, by
which the bate was transferred to the
latter's care and brought up as Wilson's.
The boy lived. toiled in the humble
! sphere 10 which he says Aoen consigned
| him. and not until he became young
man grown. did he learn the secret OF
| his birth. For that secret he is indeb-
ted TO the religious remorse OF his sup
posed father, Jonas Wilson, who being
on his death bed, and not caring 10 pass
| the portals with the burden on his soul,
drew the lad towards 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 e1-
actly as has been described. he
did meet Moen that morning and
after observing the signs Of wealth and
/ luxury that abouudsd, demanded OF
! Moen some reparation for the wrong
done one who should be heir 70 all
Moen at first refused 20 acknowledge
the lad. and would have driver
/ him forth, but tne boy faced
his millionaire parent defantly
| Upbraiding him for the wrong done hi'
mother and himself, he said: Il vii
force you to acknowledge NE, and The
world shall know you for what yoI
are" Then, doc" says, the banker
deacon became alarmed and gave hin
800. By appointment he met MoeI
next day, and consented 70 shield hi
father from shame. The father hac
1 in the meantime married again, ate
the death OF Docs" mother, an,
| s..eA 90 - fefa
have scorned Moen had they known o
the scandal. Then. according 10 vii
sons story, Wilson, who knew of tn
secret of his parenisge, seeing Doc haI
money and knowing it came from
Moen, began TO urge his claims upol
him. The demands increased and {
satisfy them be had TO apply to Moel
for money and in that way niue
. of the sum received from the banke
was spent Wilson says these demand
upon him grew so exhorbitant that b
became almost impoverished by them
, The Engley suits were settled, he said, o
Moen's suggestion with Moen's money
and the latter feared his relationship :
Wilson would come out some way i
the trial. Wilson has letters which. b
saws. were written by Moen acknowledE
ing the relationship and calling hir
l"DeAr son. AneSc iclteIS VIM
produced to-day. He says b
, is the injured one, as instea
] OF being reared as q gentleman
= brought up amid the luxuries whic
. his fathers wealth could purchase, b
was cast adrift, reared as alpeasant boy
. without education, without any reAn'
! ment of life which would have bee
his. had his cruel parents done RICH
, Wilson saws he can no longer endur
the calumnies with which he is assaile6
and that his confession OF the secret
true in every respect.
WoRcEsTER, Mass, December 1.-Th
announcement from Providence thi
} evening that DOC" Wilson hsd LITE
! the veil from the great Moen mystery
caused a tremendous sensation. In
hnlIetin boards were surrounded ia
5 into the night by crowds. The million
I aire manufacturer was al prayer meet
1 ing when the announcement reacne
} this city, and the reporters gathered .
5 the door of the Union Church TO way
lay him when he came iorth. On
&. of them showed Mr.. Moen copy OF 10
4 Providence paper containing the story
and proceeded TO interview him on 90
subject. but he would say nothing asic
tom the statement that Docs stor
wss a he. With difficulty he escape
$ the reporters and proceeded 70 his res
dence. a reporter called upon him thei
, at Q O'Clock. His son Phil. came :
l door W "a him. He was as cool and co
D Iectgd as though he had been called I
= the door on a matter of business OF IN
j simplest kind. When asked about IN
} statement made by Wilson to-day, TIA
D he was his father, MOen said: 1t IS
e lie. downright he" He then SAID
;. My counsel has advised me not to tai
with any newspaper men or the suolecl
l.yOu will excuse me II L decline 70
interviewed, but you can see mat ne
= nearing the enc oil ms rope, .;, ISs y =
a -nch a story as that" Moen decline
to state anything further.