The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-02-23
IN REPLY.
Northwestern Benevolent Society Answers
Article in News.

Northwestern Benevolent Society Answers
Article in News.
Editor News Tribune:-In your
Thursday morning issue appears an ar
ticle entitled "a Peculiar Suit, "
which appeared in the Kenosha, Wis,
EVENING News last week The article
refers to an action brought by one
Sasgen, of Chautauqua, N. z, against
the Northwestern Benevolent society of
Duluth, on an insurance policy held by
Sasgen's son, who was killed by train
in Racine last April. The article
states that the company refused pay
ment on the ground that Sasgen never
had policy and that the company was
defeated in law suit and the case
appealed to supreme court, etc.
We desire to say that these state
ments are absolutely false. The com.
pany has neither directly nor indirectly
denied that he had policy; on the
contrary, within ten days of his death
the company paid him claim of $40
for accidental injury. "That the
company was defeated and the case
appealed" is equally false and untrue;
in fact, the case has not yet been tried.
!" That che company has no representa-
ton in Kenosha at this time" is like
wise untrue.
1t is true that payment was refused,
the company's attorney advising that it
was mr. a valid or just claim. Our
policies especially except indemnity for
any accident received while a man is
intoxicated; and, from information re-
ceived by the company, it appears that
Sasgen was Intoxicated at the time be
was killed. On that account, together
with other legal reasons, payment was
refused.
This case was placed in the hands OF
Duluth firm of lawyers some eight
months ago. After carefully investi-
eating he matter, we understand they
advised their client that in their opin-
ion the company was not liable under
the pc Fey and. that the claim was in
valid. Later on, a New York firm
brought suit The letter signed with
Cowells name was the first we heard
of him in the case.
A marked copy of the Kenosha
NEWS was received by the company
with the following typewriter letter:
Ker3saa, Wis, Feb. II, 1899" The
N. w Benevolent Association, Duluth,
Gentlemen Il enclose you an
article in last nights local news for
your consideration. It is somewhat
faulty as to dates, but covers the idea.
Friends of the plaintiff in this place and
elsewhere assure me that between now
and the time when the matter is to be
adiudicated they intend TO ring the
changes on the case, through the local
press of every town where defendant
company are doing business in the
United States or Canada. Thinking
this may interest you somewhat,
thought best to give you the informa-
ton. Further comment being unnec-
essary, am, yours very truly,
W. M, COwELL.'
Dees not the above letter indicate the
object and motive of the publication?
If the plaintiff has a just cause, why
resort to such cowardly, dishonorable
means as the article and letter would
seem to indicate is their purpose?
The company will not tolerate being
bled or blackmailed into paying an un-
just claim by any newspaper or attor
ney, and has placed the matter in the
hands of it's attorneys at Racine,
Messrs. Cooper, Simon, Nelson &
Walker.
If the court before which this case is
tried decides in favor of the plaintiff,
the society is ready and prepared to
abide by that decision. We might also
add that in seven years, during which
period the society has paid over 10000
claims, it has had less than twenty law
suits.
The company not having been inter-
viewed as to the truth or falsity of the
statements in the article, and trusting
that the News Tribune is disposed to
be fair, we respectfully request the
publication of this letter, that the pub
lie may know the trne facts in the case.
Yours very truly,
Northwestern Benevolent Society.
QUARLEs' YACHT.