The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-02
MEDALS OF TRUST
Simpsons Legion of Honor
Cross May be Called In
BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT
John Noble Believes They
Revert in Cases of Death.

What disposition viii be made Of the
medals left By Herbert Simpson, the
young man who committed suicide last
week, is still unsolved. They are still in
the hands Of Mrs. Mosher. to whom they
were given by Simpson to preserve for
him, but it is authoritztively- claimed
that in instances Of death the medals
awarded by France for feats of bravery
are revertibIe 70 the government. At
least two Of the medals in controversy
were given by the French government,
one for bravery displayed on the battle
field in the African war. which IS the
cross OF the Legion OF Hanor, and the
other was for saving the lives Of thir-
teen people at the charity bazaar fire IN
Paris. The most likely thing 70 occur as
soo1 as the death CT Mr. Simpson be
comes known by the government by
which they were issued would be an at
tempt to recover them, through the
French minister to the United States.
John Noble, the artist, who was well
acquainted with the deeea sed. and ad-
mired him as a friend AMI became inter
estsd in his work. takes this view Of the
matter and IS Of the opinion that Srimp-
son in one of his confidential moods in
parted this 70 him. This, he believes, IS
solely with the French government and
the medal awarded by King Humbert %
Italy, who was recently assassiuated, he
does not know whether or not they ara
subject 10 the same conditions AT death.
Some time before Mr.. Simpson took
his own life he gave Mrs MOsher the
medals with the request to keep them
for him. In enrusting the medals to her
care his manner indicated % her that he
wished her to keep them al the time,
IN case any i'll luck should befan him,
and it is believed that at that time the
young man contemplated suicide.
Mr. Noble, during his conpanionship
with the deceased had seen the medals a
number Of times, and he says they are
all beauties, and that Simpson thought
the world OF them. He also said that
the young man possessed several dipl0-
mas given TO Inn by the French govern
merit IN connection with the medals for
bravery, but these have never been re-
covered by Administrator J. E. Howard,
who is settling up the small estate. The
scrolls were written on long pieces Of
sheepskin and bore the signatures Of the
heads of the French government What
became Of them remains 4 mystery.
The intention Of the government in
awarding decorations Of this character
and making them revertibls Is 70 guard
against allowing any other save the
rightful owner 70 wear them. but Il is
not known whether or not there is any
constitutional provision in America COM
polling any person having them to re-
turn them Co the government by which
they were awarded.
Otto G Eckstein. the attorney, who
knew stimpson in Washington and
whose mother was acquainted with
Simpsons mother, has addressed a letter
10 lawyer kempner at Belin in regard 70
Countess Ravene. who, it IS claimed, Is
Stimpsons grandmother his nane hav-
ing been changed BY an act OF the Fir-
GINA legislature. Simpsons father and
mother are both dead, but his grand
mother Is still living. The letter re-
quested THAI Simpsons family enonec-
tons be ascertained and II found 70 be
true that his father was 4 German count
an attempt will be made TO collect the
outstanding claims against the suicide
The letter stated Simpsons straitened
financial circumstances and IL is believed
that rather than suffer disgrace the
claims will be paid without hesitancy.