The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-09-18

the sand obliterated the footmarks,
and his task was done.
His next object was 10 reach the
mainland, and he succeeded in pushing
his float over TO the Kentucky shore,
where he was cared for and Hospitality
entertained, as a survivor OF the great
steamboat disaster. His money and
securities were on his person, wet but
unmutlated and he had lost nothing
but his trunk and his ring. Thus he
passed out OF the world as John III.
Seymour, re-eDtering il as Benjamin
Sinnott, and read with satisfaction the
advertisement for his body and it's
final discovery and burial.
There was one fact. however, which
should nave been published, but which
did not appear In any newspaper ac-
count which came under his notice.
Nothing was said about his valuable
and noticeable ring. and this omission
was quite perplexing to Sinnott, alias
Seymour.
This mystery | proceed to solve by
explaining that the body Oh the island
was first discovered by man named
Wilson Rcplctte, who had been search
ing with skiff for relies Of the disas-
ter. lie. also. had seen description OF
Seymour, and had recognized the man
on the island by the ring on his left
hand. His cupidity being too strong
for his conscience, he possessed himself
of the ring. and left the body where
he had found It, II was afterward dis
covered by others, and buried as the
body Of John II. Seymour.
Not long after the Ben Lewis disas-
ter. news came to Canada of the
death of an uncle Of the supposed dead
man, I'm England. This uncle had been
a well-to-do merchant, and his property
descended to John H. Seymour and his
elder brother, David, their parents be
ing dead David Seymour was man
of remarkable honesty in purpose and
i'm action. AS soon as he learned of
this unexpected windfall, his first
thought was to find his brother, of
whom he had heard nothing during
many years, and secure to him that
portion Of the property which was
rightfully his. Accordingly, he adver-
tised i'm n number of newspapers in
Canada and the States, telling John III
Seymour that he would hear Of some
thing TO his advantage 10y commitment
ing with his brother David, at Kings
ton, and requesting all who might be
possessed of any information concern
ing him to send il to that address.
This notice came under the eye OF
gentleman VINO had known John H.
Seymour in Alton. and he wrote to
David informing him that his brother
was supposed To have perisbed in n
steamboat disaster on the Mississippi
Further inquiry brought out the partic-
ulars of the explosion Of the Ben Lewis
and of the discovery and burial of
what was believed to be the body of
John ii. Seymour. The evidence to
this effect was so convincing that
David Seymour was compelled to be-
liCve that his brother was dead, and
was preparing to use his share of the
property MS his Cwn when n claimant
put in an appearance, representing
himself to be John IL. Seymour, who
YVES supposed to be lost
In pursuance of my purpose not 10
allow my readers to be m. stifcd al
though this phase Of the case might
be worked up" in n sensational man
ncr. proceed to state that this claim
ant was no other than Wilson Replctte,
of Kentucky. who had taken tlie ring
from the dead hand of the supposed
Seymour
David Seymour's advertisement came
under his notice, and he saw his way
pretty clearly into stepping into for.
tune. lie had been n careful reader
of all the newspaper literature in con
nection with the Ben Lewis disaster,
and was aware that John ii. Scy-
mour's peculiar and valuable ring was
n very important element in the ques.
tion OF his Identification, as its absence
from the body created doubt as TO
whether John ii. Seymour had really
died and neen buried. Ii is not at all
surprising that he turned his steps
toward Canada. with the view of per
sonating John II. Seymour and claim
ing his share OF the property OF the
English uncle.
First. however. he went to Alton. TO
learn something about the life and
character of the man whom he was to
represent lie prosecuted his inquiries
So as not 10 excite suspicion, and when
he had gained such information ms
would suit his purpose. went 20 Kings
ton and presented himself TO David
| Seymour ms his long.lost brother.
David failed 10 recognize him. rs
was not surprising after so long q
separation. and called for his proofs
OF identity Rcplette was prepared
with these. and showed the ring. upon
/ which he chiefly relied 10 sustain his
cause. with newspaper slips describing
&c minutcly. among other distinguish
ing marks upon the persons OF peopl,
who were missing after the explosion
OF the Ben Lewis.
lie also had q great deal TO relat,
concerning his life i'm Illinois. and hi'
experiences i'm connection with the OK
ploded steamer. but gave no informa
tion about the years he had passed II
Canada. or about his parents. relatives
or friends. This he accounted for h!
saying that severe attack of fever
during his residence i'm Illinois. whicl
had nearly carried him 10 his grave
had also entirely destroyed all memor.
OF his former life.