The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-11-06

ant was no other than Wilson Replette.
OF Kentucky. who had taken the 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 a for
tune lie had been a careful reader
OF an the newspaper,literature I'm con-
nection with the Ben Lewis disaster,
and was aware that John II. Sey-
mour's peculiar and valuable ring was
very important element I'm the ques-
ton of his Identification as IFS absence
from the body created a doubt 0s 20
whether John II. Seymour had really
died and been buried 1t IS not at all
surprising that he turned his steps
toward Canada. with the view Of per-
sonatng 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. He prosecuted his inquiries
so as not TO excite suspicion, and when
he had gained such information as
would suit his purpose, went to Kings
ton and presented himself to David
Seymour as his long-ost brother
David failed to recognize him, as
was not surprising after so long
separation, and called for his proofs
of identity. Rcplette was prepared
with these. and showed the ring, upon
which he chiefly relied to sustain his
cause, with newspaper slips describing
It minutely among other distinguish
ing marks upon the persons Of people
who were missing after the explosion
Of the Ben lewis.
He also had a great deal to relate
concerning his life in Illinois. and his
| experiences in connection with the eX-
| ploded steamer, but gave no informa-
ton about the years he had passed in
Canada. or about his parents, relatives
or friends. This he accounted for by
saying that q severe attack Of fever,
during his residence in Illinois. which
had nearly carried him 10 his grave,
had also entirely destroyed all memory
of his former life.
David Seymour was almost, but rot
quite convinced that this man vas
really his brother Before acknowl-
edging him as such, however, he con-
scented. in Difference to the advice OF
his lawyer to write to Alton, request
ing some Of the former acquaintances
Of John II. Seymour to come on to
Kingston and identify him,
Some men came to Kingston from
Illinois in answer to this request. but
not the men expected. They were de-
tectivc officers, provided with a reQui-
sition from the Governor of Illinois
for the arrest of John II. Seymour on
a criminal charge. As this requisition
was Of no effect in Canada, they de-
coycd Rcplette across the river into
New York. where he was arrested and
taken to Illinois
When David Seymour discovered
that the man whom he almost believed
to be his brother had been kidnapped
and carried away, he was highly indig-
Rant.
He fastened to write to the lawyer at
Alton, with whom he had previously
communicated, and was getting ready
to go to Illinois, when he was con-
fronted by another claimant to the
property which his uncle had left.
This was no other man than John
H. Seymour himself He had been liv-
ing in Tennessee under the name Of
Sinnott, and he, as we'll as Replette,
had kept up with the current literature
Of the Ben Lewis disaster. David Sey-
mour's advertisement had luckily come
under his notice, and he saw no reason
why he should not go and take posses
sion of his property. Canada was not
the United States. and he did not sup
pose that any search would be made
for him, as he was believed to be dead
He went to Kingston, accordingly,
and presented himself to his brother
who did not recognize him, as it was SO
long since they had met, and who told
him of the claimant who had lately ap'
peared, wearing the ring that had be
: longed to John H. Seymour. The real
John II. had no means of identifying
: himself, except by bringing to the
remembrance of his brother scenes and
/ incidents, and words in connection
with their early life which were known
only to themselves This process was
successful after a while, the relation
ship being admitted by David Sey
. mour. and the proof being satisfactory
= even TO his lawyers.
As for Replette. it was soon discov
, ornd o+ Alton that he was not the MAJ