The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-02

--Of the II Cases Over Half of Them
Were Insured at Ages Much Under
Their Actual Ages---AIl of Them
Were Physically Tnfirm.
special to the News and Observer.
MoREHEAD CITY, n. O., Aug. /.
The evidence presented in the insur-
ance cases to-day was along the same
line as that of the day before but it was
more extended and inclusive. Fraud
was proved in the following cases. The
names, ages named in the insurance
policies, actual age and state of health
are given in their order:
DAVIS, Hetty A., As, 20, infirm
GABRIEL, Sarah NJ, Al, very Old infrm
DAVIS, Shepherd S. 20, infirm.
CASEY, Emma j., so, 10, tnfirm.
GUTHRIE, MeIlisa, 50, 20, infirm
BOYD, John, physical wreck.
RICE, VIM; J., said to be good risk, lunatic.
LoNGHURsT, Mary A., S., g. poor health.
JONES, VIM. H., good risk, consumption.
LEWIS, Sarah A., 49, over so.
WASHINGTON, Rosana, s., 90, laid up with
wINDER, Samuel, IS, IS, infirm.
DAVIS Thos., consumption.
CHADWICK, Florence, in very bad health.
The first hour of the court this morn
ing was taken up with a wrangle be-
tween counsel over the admission of evi-
dence. After hearing both sides the
justice opened the food gates and said
both sides could put in all the testimony
they desired.
Clark in his argument said the charge
was not fraud but conspiracy, and that
the evidence introduced showed no evi-
-ho+ IF nnrcvNf~oov HinS1 1nI1
said he would show that this was the
vilest conspiracy ever concocted IN North
Carolina. loud applause all over the
court room.) Cross examined, Gui0n
read the Law. He said they asked
neither applause nor appreciation, but
wanted to discharge their duty. ''The
court said that If papers are introduced
that do not affect the case it will not
hurt either party"
Clark Then you may as well intro
duce the whole batch of papers at
once
Guion ''Let all the papers be con-
sidered in. Understand, We do not ad-
NIT anything
The oral testimony was then begun.
Ex-Town Constable Marshall, of Beau
fort, was put On the stand. He said
Wigfall's health was bad three years be-
fore his death. He stopped teaching
school and went to merchandising on ac-
count Of bad health. Three or four
weeks before he died Wigfall stopped at
my shop, and broke down almost com
pletely; that was the last time | ever
saw him ont of the house. He coughed
very heavily, with mucuous secretion
that looked to me like consumption. For
a year before he died he was very thin
and tolerably healthy. He died Novem-
Der 5, 1893."
The remainder of the morning was
taken up in discussion between counsel.
John Forlaw was the first witness in
the afternoon. He is a justice of the
peace of Beaufort and testified to num-
erous signatures and statements made
before him. The Clerk called attention
to an insurance company's instructions
to an agent to aid in making death re-
ports.
Forlaw: THAT is the usual custom
with insurance agents."
Col. Hinsdale: "Have you ever been
an insurance agent2"
Forlaw: ''No, sir"
Hinsdale "The only custom you know
then is that of Beufort."
A ripple of laughter went over the
court room.
John Seawell, Beaufort fisherman,
was put on the stand. He testified that
Jas. Wigfall had consumption and was
very i'll long before death.
The statement of the teller of the
National Bank of Newbern regarding
the payment of three thousand dollars
benefit on Wigfall's life was admitted.
Marshall recalled, said he told Parker
that Hassell told him Parker had acted a
rascal toward him and he hoped Mr..
Forlaw would write to the company.
Parker said Hassell had better keep his
mouth shut. This was concerning the
Wigfall insurance money. Shepherd
Davis, he said, was hardly under 70
years old; Emily Casey was sixty five.
CLARK: Dragging in the living as
well as the dead, are you 2"
Hinsdale: Frauds may be committed
upon the living as well as upon the
dead
The policy showed that Shepherd
Davis stated in his application that at
his nearest birthday be would be SO.
Hinsdale: ''Did Dave Parker buy any
real estate with his insurance money 2"
Objection by defense.
Hinsdale: "We want to show that
Dave Parker. did not go to Newbern
simply as friend of Abe Wigfall's. If
we can prove that these men divided this
money, it win be strong evidence"
Clark: Your honors have admitted
batch after batch of incompetent evi-
denre. Col. Hinsdale is trying in this
court different case than that he has on
hand"
Hinsdale This don't affect the other
cases now ia court at Beaufort
Clark "You are manufacturing pub
lie sentiment. That's what you are do
ing, Colonel