Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-02
THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
The story of the WilsOn-Moen Case
Told Wilson CLAIMS to be the Son of
Phillip l.. Moen.
Providence, r. l., Dec. |

Levi Wilson, who has figured so exten-
sively in the law suits brought against the
Worcerter millionaire, Phillip L. Moen, and
around whom there has been so deep cloud
of mystery during the past six years. has at
last made what he claims to be a full dis
closure of the secret. He was seen this
evening in the presence of three gentlemen
and said
"My correct name is Moen, not Wilson,
and | am the legitimate son of Phillip l..
Moen of Worcester. | vas apprised of my
parentage in 1870 by Jonas Wilson, who |
had always supposed to be my father. We
were then residing in Quadick, small viii
lage in Connecticut. Jonas Wilson was on
his death bed and calling me to his side dis
closed to me that | was the legal son of
Phillip L. Moen, and his three daughters
corroborated Jonas Wilson's narrative of nv
birth and the reason why | was placed in
their care. The girls are now married and
are known as Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Downs and
Mrs. Young, was born in Worcester. As
far as | can judge | am between 32 and SO
years of age My mothers maiden name
was Washburne. She is dead now. | was
put aside and brought up as Jonas Wilson's
boy because | was born but two months after
Moen was married my mother and because
my appearance would thus cause unpieasan.
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 converse
tion as he alleged at the recent trial in Bos-
ton. went to his office and told him who
was and how | had ascertalned the truth con-
corning my parentage. At first he would not
recognize me, but stood up like a man for
my rights and at last he threw up both hands
and exclaimed: My God do you know it?'
He then acknow edged me as his son and has
done so to me from that time to the present
time"
Wilson denied that his father, Moen, had
given him 800 the first time they met, but
said he gave him suit of clothes, "and" he
said, "let me tell you it was the first respect
able suit of clothes | ever had on. was
worked like dog. Jonas Wilson kept us
all az 'ork: Money was later given to me
by MON and l distributed it to the Wilson's
to keep them still. The hotel at Uxbridge
went that way and some of the money was
given to an Engley fam ly to get rid of them.
Moen heard that was married, and although
the report was not true. he was particularly
anxious that | should break from the Eng
leys for fear that would marry one of the
girls and in the condolences of married life
expose the secret OF my birth. l did seps-
rate from them and the consequence was a
suit for damages, which was settled upon the
payment of some money which came from
Moen. l was loval to my father if he was
not to me, and left nothing around which
would endanger his secret. But | am pre-
pared when the time comes to tell things
which will break all barriers. | want you
and the public to know that between Phillip
L. Moen and myself there has never been
anything done or said of a criminal nature.
l have tried to be faithful to him and in re-
turn he has called me, his son, black mailer
and a scoundrel. l feel as though great
load had been taken off my mind in acknowl-
edging all this, but | make the disclosure
with shame, for after what he has done | do
not consider it an honor to be called his SON.
l stood by him for years and now he has gone
back on me-"
The Journal tonight despatched reporter
to Worcester to interview Phillip L. Moen,
and Moen denied the statements of Wilson
as false throughout. You are the first and
only person, he said, that | ever authorized
to speak for me in this matter, but author
ize you to say it is false, false throughout.
There is not bit of truth in il. | never
heard of Jonas Wilson before you told me of
him tonight. The whole is false from begin
ming to end. You may deny every word of
it for it is false.