The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-23
MANY HEARTS LACERATED.
.-----
Victims OF an Alleged Mrs. Maxim. Whs
Was COurtcd by Mail.

INpIAEAPoLIs. Feb. 22.-The Post Office
authorities have discovered a peculiar
case In connection with the delivery Of mail
at Daleville, Yorktown and Muncie,
just before the holidays letters began
to arrive at Daleville addressed to Mrs.
A. J. Maxim, and Postmaster Forrest,
supposing il was some one who had recently
come into the neighborhood, delivered
the letters to a stranger who produced an
order for Mrs. Maxlin's mail. The holi-
days brought a large number Of packages
and many letters containing money orders
and these were also delivered without
question.
Early this week Capt. William A. Custer =,
who said he had Just arrived from the Argen-
tine Republic, put in an appearance at
D~aleville and asked to be directed TO the
residence of Mrs. Maxim. No one was
able to give him any information concern
ing the woman and he called on Postmaster
Forrest.
The Postmaster was also in Ignorance
regarding her Whereabouts and Custer
then told his story. He said that he had
entered into correspondence with Mrs.
Ma Kiln through a Chicago correspondence
bureau, and a . number of letters had passed
between them. He and Mrs. Maxim be-
came engaged and he sent her various
sums of money, promising TO follow them
up in person and settle down in Indiana.
Capt. Custer had hardly shaken the dust
of Daleville from his feet when Frank Wal
ling, an elderly man from Michigan, put
in an appearance with practically the same
tale of love. He failed to find his corre-
spondent, but he admitted that he had sent
her some handsome presents and sums
OF money aggregatinR about $500.
She had told him, he said, that she owned
property AT Daleville, but il was encum-
bered when her husband died, and Mr..
Walling was generously assisting her to
lift the mortgage debt.
Then followpd n letter to the postmaster
from another mar in Michigan, who wrote
H. n confidential strain, making inquiries
about Mrs. Maxim and asking particularly
about her age. IL the meantime letters
continued TO arrive, but the appearance of
Capt. Custer seemed 10 have put the bird
to flight, for no one has since called for
Mrs. Maylin'S mail. though letters and
packages by the score are in the Post Office
waiting "A claimant.
An Investigation by the Post Office au-
thGrities has developed the fact that the
alleged Mrs. Ma Kiln received letters AZ the
Daloviilc, Yorktown and Muncie Post Offices,
and the aggregate number II placed nj
several hundred. The aut horities believe
tina the scheme was worked from Chicago.
that all the letters from me alleged Mrs.
Maxim we're written there and that the
replies were collected and sent to the Chicago
headquarters, though the money orders
were cashCd at the Offices on which they
were drawn.
Il wPs at first believed hat some woman
living IN Delaware county had assumed the
naInc 81 Maxim, but his theory has been
abandoned, for the Investigation shows that
the person who received the mail was no;
known 10 any one IN he county, nnd not -
much a. his maine has been secured as a
clue 20 hi. identity. According 10 the
records OF the money order departments
Of he three Offices, more than $500 has been
traced TO the woman. but IL l. believed that
many of Che letters contained bank notes
and checks or drafts that would have been
casirod el-ewherc. Money sent 10 her 10y
Custer was by drai on View York.
Though nothing LAS developed 10 con-
firm the belief. tho guthoritie, think that
the same game has been played through
man -Ostofices IN different parts Of Indiana
and they are expecting other Mrs. Maxlins
to turn up in he rear future. An effort
will he made to locate the parties in Chicago
who are believed TO be carrying out the
Wholesale scheme Of fraud through the
Post Office Department.