The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-01-10
INSURANCE
SW|NDLE
Undertaken, Physician,
Editor and Agent
Accused of Con-
spiracy.
COLONIAL COMPANY THE VICTIM
1t Is Charged That Con-
sumptives Near Death
Were Reported as
Good Risks.
BODIES BROUGHT FROM BELLEVUE
Fake Policies Paid When the
Funerals Took Place
Queer Division of
the Spoils.
BODIES BROUGHT FROM BELLEVUE

A scheme to swindle the Colonial Insur-
ance Company has just been uneartneo.
The details are of a sensational cnarac-
ter Four of the most widely known men
in the northern section of the county are
involved These men have all been arrest
ed and they ed and they will have to
stand trial before the Grand Jury on
charge of conspiring to defraud insurance
companies.
The quartette is strange combination,
consisting as it does of a city editor, a
physician, an undertaken and a pugilist.
Tne men are Thomas Martin, city editor
of the Daily Dispatch published in
Union Hill; William Necker, Union Hills
leading undertaken; DR.. Richard Jahr,
man who has heretofore had an unim-
peachable reputation, and Thomas Kelly,
known as Cyclone Kelly" in pugiistic
circles All have lived in Union Hill for
many years.
At yesterdays sesson of the Grand Jury
the officials of the Colonial Life Insurance
Company presented evidence before that
body with view to having these men
indicted because of their completely in
an alleged swindling of $272. This loss
was suffered by the insurance company
through the death of one Robert Bren-
nan, who succumbed to consumption in
.ast October. The jury found a bill against
them and bench warrants were issued.
Dr.> Jahr and Kelly were arrested last
night Martin and Necker were arrested
this morning.
As side feature the already notorious
BELLEVUE Hospital is brought into the
case 1t is alleged that many dying pa
tients in that institution have been
brought to Union Hill, insured and the
amounts of the policies collected by one
of the four men now in Jail. 1t is posi-
lively asserted by the complainants that
they know of one such case. Others are
suspected, but as yet cannot be proven.
This charge of wholesale traffic in dy-
ing men and corDses has set the New
York authorities at work and stratling
revelations are expected hourly.
The suspicion of a plot came almost
immediately after Brennans death in
October, and since that time the Loner
gan Detective Agency of New York has
been at work unearthing the details. Last
week the matter was in such shape as to
make it presentable to the Grand Jury
and the indictments and warrants fol-
lowed.
ways more or less successful. Kelly was
employed as the company's agent and
Dr. Jahn was the company's medical
examiner of Union Hill. Necker and
Martin became associated with the agent
as far back as last February.
In the case specifically stated it is
charged that Brennan was pronounced
consumptiye for several months previous
Al, y
nan was written up by Kelly. on Mar
TINS i, ommendation. Martin was made
the beneficiary 1t is also said that
Hecker paid the premiums, though why,
does not appear clearly. The reason Civ
en- by some is that it was necessary in
order that he might get on the inside in
the profits Others say that the under
taker paid the premiums on the under
standing that he was to have the fun
eral. At any rate he mad the funeral.
After the papers were properly filed out
Brennan was brought before DR.. jain for
examination. 1t was known throughout
the neighborhood where Brennan lived
that ne was a sufferer with consumption
for months. Despite this fact DIR. jain
reported to the Colonial Company that
the applicant was good risk. Accord
ingly policy was issued. The original
amount asked was s474, but because the
company was not altogether satisfied with
Kelly's work for some time previous to
the application of Brennan the amount
was cut down to s272.
Brennan died in October and Martin
received the $272. This fact became pub
lie gossip, and the fact that Brennan was
insured appealed to his neighbors as
rather strange. The talk INDUCED in by
these who knew the facts got to the ears
of the Colonial Company and they began
an investigation. The detectives say that
at least three other cases almost identi-
casly similar have been discovered. These
cases will not be made public until trial.
There was one case in which Mr.
Necker was made the beneficiary and he
paid the premiums. Some investigations
outside the regular channels of the corn
pany led the officials to suspect the trick
and they told Necker the policy would be
declared void. Necker was offered, how
ever, the amount he had paid in premi.
uns and he took this.
Colonel Lonergan. of the Lonergan De-