Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-09-03

DR.. Fraker Found Through the Per-
sistence Of an Attorney.
Insurance Companies Conten-
tions Were Correct.


DULUTH, Sept. 3.--Dr. Il. Il. Fraker oi
Topeka, whose family has just been
awarded thousands of dollars insurance
for his supposed death, because he was no
ported to have been drowned in the Moor
liver two years ago, was captured in the
woods, near Tower, on Sunday. Fraker's
life was insured for Sos, 1000, and the heirs
brought suit In the Kansas courts to re-
cover.
The case went to the supreme court, and
was one Of tho most famous insurance
cases of the country. The insurance CON-
panies were defeated In the final decision,
It being recorded last month. It was
always maintained by the companies that
Fraker was alive, but his whereabouts
were unknown.
Recently 1t became known in some way
that Fraker was near Tower, where he
was known under the alias of Schnell.
Attorney Herrick and Deputy Sheriff
wilkins of Topeka came here and organ
lied party to search for him. Fraker
was found In the woods, and his capture
was effected In a strategic manner. He
was brought to Duluth yesterday and was
taken to Topeka at once.
The case is one of great general interest,
because Of a reward Of $20,0OO which was
offered for his capture. Fraker is physi.
clan, and up to the latter part Of 1893 was
physician to the st. Elmo hotel, the lead
ing hotel in Excelsior Springs, famous
health resort near Kansas City. Together
with seven or eight companions the doc
tor went fishing on the Missouri river one
day, and after dark and while In the COM
pany Of George Harvey, James Triplett
and Jake Crowley, negro, he disappeared,
And Was Seen No More.
These parties afterward swore posi-
lively that they witnessed his drowning
while rowing in leaky boat, but after
strict search his body could not be recov-
cred. Some three or four months previous,
he began loading up with life Insurance.
taking $10 900 in the Kansas Mutual Life
company of Topeka $4,000 in the Hart
ford Life and Annuity of Hartford; s15,-
600 In the Providence Life of New York;
$1,000. in tho benevolent societies of that
place, and $4,000 In another company,
total of S5S,000.
Immediately after Ills disappearance the
insurance companies held q conference
and discovered that while the doctors in
come was only about $500 year, his
premiums amounted to $1,000 annually.
Besides this, George Harvey, James Harry
and James Triplett, who swore to having
witnessed Fraker's death, were men of
bad character, Harry being arrested only
the other day In eastern Missouri on q
charge of having committed burglary in
New Mexico. Triplett was a well-known
character in Indian Territory, and is said
to have been drowned a short time ago.
Before going on his fishing excursion,
Fraker had drawn all his money from the
bank, saying he was about going to Cali
fornia to bring home the orphan children
of his deceased uncle. Forty thousand
dollars OF insurance money was payable
to his brother-in-law in trust for these
children. DIR. Fraker, who had practiced
medicine for eight years, was an active
leader in the Sunday school work, but
held rather peculiar views on religious
subjects.
After thorough Investigation, all the
companies except the Equitable refused to
pay the claims, whereupon James e.
Lincoln, the executor Of the will, brought
suit in the district court at Liberty, Mo-,
which was afterward transferred to the
United States circuit court at Kansas City
Robert Hcrrick was appointed Jointly
to conduct the case for the companies,
and was assisted by eminent legal talent.
AL Ohc idtOcI ptlIO VI 1904, dIUeT al III
tensely sensational trial, lasting two
weeks, in December, 1894, the jury acting
under positive instructions from the court,
Declared For the Defense.
A new trial was granted on technical
points, but, in February, 1895, Judgment
was given for the full amount and a stay
Of execution granted for six months, un-
til Aug. IL, 1895 On that date the full
amount was paid to the executor, and the
companies withdrew their offer of &C, 900
reward
Herrick obtained clew In the latter
part of 1894, which he has patiently fol-
lowed ever since, until about week ago,
when he learned the whereabouts and as
sumed name of the doctor. Thursday
night no arrived in Tower, togeth:r with
John Wilkinson chief of police In Topeka,
TO assist In taking Fraker back. They
learned that Fraker went by the name of
!, 6chnell and lived with young man in q
woodman's hut. 30 miles from Tower, on
the Itasca county road. A warrant was
secured In Tower, and Sunday morning,
accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Phillips,
they started in rough wagon over still
rougher roads for the place, taking along
provisions for five days, giving out that
Cney were TO look over some timber lands.
About 12 miles from Tower, Phillips,
who knew Frakcr under his alias Of
Schnell, saw his companion In shanty
near the wood, and on inquiring where the
doctor was, learned that they just moved
to this place. and that Fraker was out
hunting. On examining tho shanty
trap-door was found In the floor, with
considerable excavation underneath, look.
Ing rather suspicious.
The young man was handcuffed and
guarded and Phillips proceeded on the
road. About two miles farther was a
man with gun on his shoulder, who was
instantly recognized as the supposed dead
man Fraker. Herrick engaged him in
conversation, when suddenly Phillips
seized his arms, and Wilkinson put ON
handouts. Fraker thought he had been
arrested for killing game out Of season, as
Phillips was also game warden.
When the warrant was read to him he
h,xt "A a