The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-15
People Who Sham Injuries and
Maim Themselves for That
Purpose.
One Beat Who withstood Electric
Shocks, Needles and Soald-
Ing Water.
Others who Manned Themselves for Life
Queer Stories Told by Accident
Insurance Men.

imposed upon, Tor many Parsons VIA NOS
hesitate to main themselves to receive a
money compensation, says the New York
News. There are others who sham injuries
and act their parts 90 veil that even the
doctors are deceived. For example there
was ne'er-do-well young man named
Lefferts, living at Port Jervis some time
ago. He was too lazy to gain livelihood
by honest labor, so he planned to get il ont
Of the insurance companies. After taking
out accident policies in several companies
he proceeded to execute his designs. One
evening about dusk. he was CROSSING the
track of the Erie railroad. A train 81 cara
was standing on siding, intsrceptine his
way. He climbed upon the platform Of thu
nearest car with the intention Of psssinc
over to the other side. At the same moment
the train started and he vas thrown to the
ground.
This is the story he tells. The insurance
companies, on the other hand, maintain
that he deliberately threw himself down.
When several workmep came to his assist
ance, they found that his legs were appar-
emily paralyzed. He was taken to his
home. and physician was summoned. An
electric battery was applied to his legs, but,
although strong current was turned on,
he never dinched, declaring that he felt no
sensation whatever. The doctors then
decided that he was really paralyxed, and
the insurance companies were requested to
pay the weekly allowance his policies called
Upon investigation it was found that
Lefferts was receiving in all over $200
week as compensation for his injuries.
This aroused the suspicion Of the insurance
people, and they resolved to examine deeper
into the case. Accordingly, several doctors
were sent to the mans bedside with in
structions to apply the seversst tests to find
out his actral condition. Having satisfied
sis, they went to work upon him in down.
right earnest. Hot needles were thrust
into his legs. severe electric shocks were
administered, applications of ice followed
instantly by bottles containing boiling
water were tried repeatedly, but he gave no
indication of suffering tine slightest pain.
The doctors were baffled by his stoioal en-
durance. II he had cOntented himself with
the attempt to defraud the companies, he
would have probably succeeded in accumu-
!ating snug little sum; but; unfortunately
for himself. ne determined to extend his
operations. While lying in bed, suffering
from his supposed injuries, he busted HIM
self in washing cancelled postage stamps.
After they had been pressed and dried, he
applied mucilage to their backs and made
them mp into packages for sale. 1t was not
long before he was detected by the govern
ment officials and placed under arrest.
He was convinced now that it would be-
useless to feign paraly sin any longer, 40 his
Aaha Aaddenly recovsSed their power. He
was tried Tor his crime against the govern
prison.
case similar to this was that of Chicago
man who claimed to have been injured BY
horse falling upon him. He was insured in
New York accident company. and applied
at once for weekly payment. He stated
paralyzed by the accident and that he was
unfit for any kind Of work. The compauy's
lawyer, who happened to be in Chicago at
the time. visited and found that this was
apparently true. The man moved about
slowly, dragging the afflicted leg after him
with seeming effort.
As there were certain suspicious circum-
stances connected with the case. however,
the lawyer resolved to have the man exam
ined by a doctor. The doctor reported that
although the man was undoubtedly hum
bug, he simulated paralysis 50 we'll that it
reasonable amount; for il the case were
allowed to 90 into the courts it would be
difficult TO prove to jury that he
was fraud. Acting on this advice the
lawyer made settlement for i've weeks
indemnity, after which the mans leg re-
gained its usefulness suddenly.
The most remarkable Gases Of fraud in
accident insurance are those in which per-
sons MAIN themselves for life to get the in
demnity set forth in the policy. There ia
cool nerve about their proceedings which
would excite unqualified admiration werei it
exhibited in worthier way. sSs
There ie 9 case on record Of western
cowboy who, after he had taken ont policies
IN various companies, went ont upon the
prairie and deliberately shot of his hand.
Ia ali 49, u y
collected tho insurance due him; then, in q
hraRgadocio spirit, he boasted OF his cour.
him. n 81.
Again, there was man named McLaueh-
lin living in the northern part Of this state
foot which had been crushed of by 1he
wheels of railroad train. His story was
that the foot had been caught in q frog
ana passing express had run over il be-
fore he could extricate himself. The in
surance people were not satisfied with this
explanation. They made careful survey
of the place where the accident was eup-
posed to have occurred. and employed
physicians to examine the mnn's injury.
These experts testified that it was practi-
the wheels of a train. while caught In q
'frog," without breaking the ankle,
McIaughlin's ankle was not broken. His
inju , indicated that he had placed his foot
purposely upon the track and calmly al
lowed train to pass over it.
case very similar to this, which had a
tragic ending, however, 10 related bv Mr..
William B. smith, the legal representative
of one Of the accident insurance companies
in this city. It appears that an Ohio man
had insured himself for considerable
amount with the company. One day."
said Mr.. Smith, I'VE received notification
that his foot had been crushed between two
rails ON the Nickel Plate road, and We were
called on to pay tho weekly stipend due him
upon the policy he held. Al happened to