The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-14
WIDOW IMPOSED ON
STRANGE CASE OF INTERROGATION
REPORTED FROM WISCONSIN.
John Mcclure Passes Himself on as
the of Mrs. Gorman-How
He Was Exposed.

SEDGWICK, Wis, Oct. BIN the winter
of 1882 Willis German. who had just mar
ried Annie Mclaughlin. disappeared as
completely as though the earth had opened
and swallowed him. rs he owned a good
farm and some business property here.
and his domestic relations were of the most
cordial character, no reason could be as
signed for his leaving. Extensive search
and inquiry developed no trace of his
whereabouts. Mrs. German finally recon-
ciled her ~widowhood, and set about look
ing after her property, worth in the neigh
borhood of $40. COO.
In March, 1894, a man appeared in Sedg-
wick and announced himself as the missing
Willis German. He closely the
missing man, and had knowledge of r.
cumstances that only German and his wife
knew. Nevertheless. Mrs. German had her
doubts. There were some peculiarities
about him which the friends of the missing
German could not understand. He possessed
all the characteristics OF the absent man.
but could not get names and localities
right at all times. and did not seem as
familiar with the country around Sedgwick
as he should nave been. The man accounted
for this by saying that he had been in
jured in the head over in Michigan. TO
winch state ne mad wandered. ana llal his
mind was not as strong as 1t had been
prior to his accident. He had been with
his cousin, John Mcclure, he said, who had
been very kind to him during his long i'll
ness.
Within a month the man was recognized
by all as the real Willis German, and he
then took his place at the head OF the Cor
man family. The feeling on the part of Mrs.
Germans friends that all was not tight
wore off after a time. and until a few
days ago this man has been looked upon
as Willis German the lawful HUSBAND OF
Mrs. German, with whom he has been hv-
ing. and the legal owner of the property
which had been cared for by the lady
after her husband disappeared.
A little over two months ago Mrs. German
became i'll, and her brother. p. Nj. Nc
Laughlin, came up from his home in Ne
that his sister was not expected to live On
his arrival here he made matters very in
teresting by declaring that the supposed
German was not the same man who had
originally married his sister. 1t was ex-
planned to him that German had been very
this was What caused the great change in
his appearance. This explanation apparent
ly satisfied Mr. Mclaughlin, and when Mrs.
German was out of danger he departed os-
tensibly for his Nebraska home. but in real
ity for Michigan TO investigate the story
told by his alleged brother-in<law This
Investigation has resulted in finding that
the supposed Willis German is a fraud, ard
that the real Willis German has been dead
since the spring of 1892.
MI. McLduSnl1Q traced HOFFMAN AFTER lie
left ~gwic and found that he had gone
TO Milwaukee,. and from there across the
lake to Michigan. where he had worked
known to ali as German Mclaughlin. 1t
was further found that he had been some
what demented. which probably accounted
spring of 1892 German had been injured,
and had been taken In charge by John Me-
Guire., living at or near Hancock. Mich.
who claimed to be the injured mans cousin.
Here German died. and soon afterward Me-
CURE disappeared, no one knows where.
The two men had resembled each other TO
a remarkable degree. Mr.. Mclaughlin was
told by the people who had seen them to-
Returning to Sedgwick a few days ago,
lis G mG E WITH sh SeIns t an f impsssor w snd
with being in reality John MCGUIRE. The
man holly denied tie charges. but when
he was lying he broke down and confessed
all. He said Willis German was his cousin.
he was taken in charge by Mcclure and
nurscd. In his happiness at finding a kins-
man. German told Mcclure all about his
friends. for as he lay there dying every
thing came back TO him. and his mind was
Mcclure was tempted by the property
owned by German to pass himself off as
the dead man. The two men resembled
| history of his cousin. and knowing ali the
details of his life at Sedgwick, Mcclure
found 1t an easy matter to appear at the
home of his cousin in assumed character.
He was surprised. he said. to succeed as
well as he had, and would not have gone
so far had not Mrs. German finally admit
ted that he was her husband. Then IL was
too late TO back out, and he had been liter
ally in Willis Germans shoes ever since.
Mcclure was completely Frustrated when
he finished his confession, and with tears
streaming down his face offered to marry
would do all in his power TO right the
| wrong he had wrought. Mr.. Mclaughlin,
angry though he was. recognized McGuire's
| proposition as the most sensible that could
be suggested. wanted his sister TO accept
| the offer. but Mrs. German would not listen
TO II. So. after making a written confess
| sion OF the deception. he WAS allowed to