The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-04
kOHLER'S INSURANCE.
It Is Paid by the Equitable
Society.
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Manager Ripley Hands a Big Check
to the Heirs.
THEY WERE AGREEABLY SURPRISED.
It Was Evident That the Company Gave
No Attention to the Story Of the
Merchants Suicide.

The death of Charles Kohler the promi-
nent wine merchant, on New Years night
made no small stir in business circles, for
few men were better known among the
vine-growers and winemakers of Cali
fornia.
Kohler died at DR.. Loryea's bath on
Suffer street from an overdose of NOR
phine taken, according to some, with sui
cidal intent. Others said that he had
been suffering for months with insomnia,
and that by taking an unusually large
quantity of the drug he had hoped to OBJ
tain relief.
The coroner's jury found that Kohler's
death was accidental, and report was at
once spread broadcast to the effect that the
jurors had been Improperly Influenced. 1t
was even said that the Grand Jury pro-
posed to investigate the case and learn
whether or not money had been used to
procure verdict at variance with the
facts.
The authors of these rumors gave them
coloring of probability by pointing to the
fact that Kohler was heavily insured. 1t
is well known that some life insurance
holders that no money will be paid in case
of suicide. Kohler was insured for $15O,0G0
and it was limited that the verdict of ac-
cidental death was the result of the machi-
nations of his heirs who feared that the
amount of the policy would not be paid if
verdict of suicide was rendered.
What the effect of these hints and
rumors may have been in some quarters is
not known. but Mr.. Kohler's heirs have
an excellent reason for knowing that they
had no effect upon the Equitable Life As
surance Society.
The deceased wine merchant was in
sured in the Equitable for $50, 900 and the
society sent Mr.. Kohler's executor a check
for that amount on Saturday With it went
the following self-explanatory letter:
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,"
OF THE UNITED STATES.
GEORGE H. RIPLEY, GENERAL MANAGER,
EDWIN CRAMER, CASHIER.
CRoCKER BUILDING, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL,
February 2, 1895.
MesSrs. K0hler d FrohLing, San Francisco,
CaI.-GENTLEMEN: 1t gives me pleasure to in
form you that the proofs OF the death of the late
Charles kohler, insured with the Equitable
Life Assurance Society under policy AIS, All
in the sum of $4,000, were received at
the home Office OF said society this morning,
| and that have been duly authorized by wire
to settle this claim with you as benefciaries
under said policy.
l accordingly hand you herewith a check for
edgment of same.
/ am all the more pleased to be
able to do this thus promptly from
the fact that the newspapers, comment
ing upon the matter were, as you know, some
what pessimistic as to the probable action of
the insurance companies. The Equitable at
| least is, as you see, not only able to meet its
obligations, but has, also, disposition to keep
| its contracts and settle without contention any
and all just claims. Very truly yours
GEORGE II. RIPLEY, General Manager.
Hans H. Kohler, executor of Charles
| kohler's estate, received the check and
fO1 fn1 lode
ment:
SAN FRANCISCO, February 2, 1895.
| George r. Ripley, Esq, General Manager Equit-
fS R We bee SGe to- aaS OF
your favor of even date, inclosing check No.
| $3.50 on the Croker Woolworth National
Bank OF San Francisco for fifty thousand go,
policy No. 473, All, insuring the life OF the late
| Charles Kohler.
! 1t gives me great pleasure in making this
| acknowledgment to commend without reserve
| the promptness and courtesy with which the
society you represent has treated this matter,
and the fact that you were duly authorized by
| them, practically few moments after receipt
of said proofs in New York, to settle this claim,
only shows that no one can question the broad,
| honorable, business-like methods with which
! the Equitable does its business and in which
! we, in common with many others, always had
| confidence.
| This evidence should put at rest any and all
who, from one motive or another, would be
captious and critical concerning the great COM
pany which You represent
Again thanking you for your courteous and
prompt treatment OF this claim, we remain,
yours thankfully, HANS Fl. KoHLER
OF Kohler & Frohling.
The honorable course of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society in this city is uni
versallv commended. The promptness
with which it settled its account with Mr..
Kohler's family and the fact that it made
no effort to evade the payment of such a
large amount, nor compelled the bene-
ficiaries to enter into a wearing legal con-
test, has produced most favorable effect
upon the minds of many who, from dis
tressing experience with other insurance
companies, had expected something wholly
different
The relatives and friends of the deceased
were most agreeably surprised when they
learned of the. secretary's action, They
had heard the stories that were told about
the unfortunate mans death-how he had
once tried to kill himself aud how he had
declared that he would not bear the bur-
den of life much longer, and they pre-
pared for legislation.
1t was the usual thing they were told.
No insurance society would pay the amount
ally, avoid payment The Equitable
taught them that it believes in dealing
fairly and honorably with its patrons. The
big check on the Croker w oolworth bank
was proof of the society's uprightness
The courteous and generous treatment
they have received from the society has
convinced the bereaved family that there
is one corporation which cannot be called
heartless.
George. H. Ripley, the general manager
of the Equitable Life Assurance Society in
this city, made lasting friend of the
Kohlers by the unwavering kindness and
courtesy with which he treated them while
conducting his investigation of their rela-
tive's death He is popular among bust
ness men here and the course pursued by
his company in the Kohler case will by no
means lessen the esteem in which he is
held.
CHRISTIANS AND SAINTS.