The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-01
THE INSURANCE CONSPIRACY
Arthur was Walking Skeleton and
was More Dead Than Alive.
The Mayor Of Newport, the Las, Man
Arrested. Beaufort People Are
Discussing the Sensational
Arrests. Mr.. Wcbbs Evil
dence Very Interesting.
BY Southern associate / Press.


special tn the Messenger from More
beAd City, N. o.. says: The third day
of the sensational trial for conspiracy
III life insurance was devoted to prov
ing the physical aud financial condition
OF Charles Arthur, Quo of the alleged
victims. IL tho evidence for tho prose
cution is not rcbutted Arthur Ia proved
To have b5eu IL pauper aud almost a
living skeleton. Ernud Is proved by
tho evidence as 1t stands, but us yot
there IL no proof of conspiracy.
w. l.. Areudell was pui on the stand
again this morning. lie testified thut
Charles Arthur was a walking skeleton
md the nearest TO dead man he ever
saw alive.
The Justice snid this did not show
conspiracy and further evidence was
ruled out.
Capt. Charlos Springle, OF the Napths
launch Sndie. testified that Charles II.
llnsscll asked HIM to send Arthur over
to Beaufort in his boat aud to tell
Arthur that 1t would be money in his
pocket II he came over to Beaufort.
Capt. Sam II. Wade carr ied Arthur to
Beaufort that morning. Springle
brought him back that night. Sprinxle
was III hurry and put HIM out ut tho
depot wharf, leaving him to come up
town us best lie could. Before Arthur
got up town he fell from exhaustion on
the railroad track and was picked NJ
by railroad hands Just IN time TO pre-.
vent iils being run over by the train.
j. B. Arendell, n notary public OF
Morehoad CITY, SAID that Arthur came
before him not long befOre his death
mud maue affidavit, nj tho request of
the North western Insurance Company,
OF Minneapulis, that he had never been
examined ior Insurance.; that no had
never applied for or authorized INV
one else 10 apply for insurance in his
life. and SO inr AZ he knew there was
no insurance on his life. Furthermore
that he felt he was no, fit subject for
Insurance on his life and 1t wus u iraud.
DIR. a. j. Mcintyre, n pructicinK
physician and druggist of Morehcad
Oitv wan called to the stand. liu re.
pented Ia substance what Mr. Areneell
hal said regarding the affidavit aud
stated that he himself signed Arthur's
affidavit III his oiloln capacity as
Mayor OF Mcrehcsd city. While Ar
thur he said waH here, his doctor was
Or. L. +. Gntes. whu now resides at
Mhnteo. on Roanoke Isiand, Molntyre
had never personally prescribed for
Arthur, but had as II matter Of charity.
given him medicines 10 alleviate his
suffering.
i. ID. Webb, OF the firm of Il. d.
Webb N Bro, the lurgest firm in
Morehead City. next testified. Ho
stated that some time in the year 1891,
previous to Arthur's death, Arthur
came 10 him one day with u letter from
the Northweltern Life Insurance Com
pany of Minneapolis, aad M Arthur
could not read he asked Webb to rend
1t to him. The letter scared Arthur
te errlbly because he d'd not know any.
thing about any Insurance on his life,
The letter said that the frat premium
on Arthur's policy for which he had
given note was now due, and asked
Tor an Immediate remittance. Arthur
stated to Webb that he had no insu
rance. had never applied for any, had
never given them note, had no money
aud thut this notice was the first he
had ever heard Of any insurance on his
life. Webb then took him before
Aren del and McIutyIe aud had him
make the affidavit referred to. Frank
Joyuer testified that Arthur WAS very
feeble, frall man, and not at oil a liz
subject for insurance
John Forlaw, notary public OF
Beaufort, was then called. The proofs
OF death III one of the Arthur cases
were exhibited to him aud identified.
lie stated that the proofs OF death were
made out IN the handwriting Of Cnas.
Il. ilassell, who issued the policy, and
that Hasseli came TO his house, took
him III buggy, and they wont out to
geiher 10 Bee Mrs. Arthur, the widow
Of Charles Arthur, and asked her to
swear to the proofs.
All the witnesses testified that he was
very thin aud emaclated aud in poor
health.
Areudell, the notary public. stated
that he weighed him about u year be
fore his dsath anu that his correct
weight WAS eighty. seven pounds. 1t is
matter of record that Arthur was
psuper and received 81 IA month from
the county fund, aud that he was un
object OF charity for the citizens Of
Morehead City nud Beaufort.
DIR. L.. w. Perkins, the last man ar.
rested. ls Mayor Of Newport and e1.
Town Constable of Morehead City. At
The beginning OF TINS season Perkins
was In charge Of the police department
OF tho Atlun,ic Hotel.
Here and III Beaufort people are dis
cussing the sensational erreets, but
seem to withhold thor opinions until
all the evidence has been brought out.
They say prominent citizens should
not be condemned as guilty of these
uurk Crimes until strong proof has