Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-16
gier tragedy, was one Of four sens of
millionaire NOTTINGHAM lacB manuf0ctur-

ger Tragedy, was one OF four sens OF
millionaire Nottingham lace manufactur-
cr Uron the death of their grandfather,
William Gift Maxton, each of these four
sons is to inherit 81, 500, 600 The family
Is enormously wealthy, for besides the
grandfather's great fortune the father of
the four Birsin boys has millions In his
own right.
Herbert Birkin, accompanied by valet
and man described as Owen Callan, ar
rived at Tangier about two months ago
and put up at the Bristol hotel They
spent their time sightseeing and playing
billiards. Birkin was paying the expenses
Of the small party, and Callan appeared to
be friend of his.
Early on the evening of May 10 Birkin
and Callan visited the Continental hotel
and played a game of billiards When they
had finished playing, Callan was heard to
invite Birkin to take q walk down to the
| beach. Birkin refused to 90, but some
time after both of them were seen sitting
on the wall leading to the beach. They
came back to the hotel about midnight
and went to their sitting room. 1t has
now been proved that Callan asked Birkin
to go to the window and see if the street
electric lights were out. Birkin did so.
AS he was standing there Callan made a
rush at him and attempted to throw him
from the window. Birkin managed to
break away, end he ran down the stairs
! calling for assistance. Callan rushed after
him, caught him ncarth room OF the pro-
prietor of the hotel, seized him by the
throat and drew a pistol. He fired at Biz
| kin, the bullet entering one side of his
face and passing out of the other. Then
| Callan drew a slun-shot and began to beat
Birkin about the head At this stage the
hotel pcrtcrs arrived and separated the
men. They were taken to the British con-
| sulate, and VIXEN Birkin recovered Callan
| was put on trial.
Birkin testified that he had made will
making Callan his sole executor. This he
had sent to Sam Lewis, the London usur-
| or, in order TO raise money.
An investigation took place in London
at the same tine This brought out many
| extraordinary facts 1t appears that a few
| months ago Herbert Birkin was insured In
10 of the leading London life insurance
| offices. The aggregate amount of insur-
ance upon his life at the time he went to
Tangier was 1875, 600, the policies being
conditional upon his prcdeccasing his mil.
lionairc grandfather, who is now 81 years
| of age. They We're, therefore, policies for
| only very short time. In order to die
| within the specified time, Birkin would
have to die quickly. His grandfather dur.
ing the past few weeks has been quite
weak, which may have fastened the trip
to Tangier. The policies were taken out
by the Life Interest and Reversionary Sc
curity Corporation, with offices in Picca
dilly
| Birkin knew Monson, and Monson Is
said TO have arranged many of the details
of tho insurance. There is no knowing
what documents he may not have secured
from Brkin. Birkins family are said tc
have been ignorant of his life insurance
and the companies refuse to tell in whost
favor the policies have been made ont
their mouths being sealed until the Scot
land YaNi detectives have finished thcil
work