Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-10-22


be worked up in a sensational man
ner, I proceed to state that this claim
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 for
tune. He had been a careful reader
of all the newspaper literature in con-
nection with the Ben Lewis disaster,
and was aware that John III. Sey-
mour's peculiar and valuable ring was
very important element in the ques-
ton of his Identification, as it's absence
from the body created doubt as to
| 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-
sonating John III. 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
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-lost brother.
David failed to recognize him, as
| was not surprising after so long a
separation, and called for his proofs
| Of Identity. Replette 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
! 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 a severe attack of fever,
during his residence in Illinois, which
had nearly carried him to his grave,
had also entirely destroyed all memory
of his former life.
David Seymour was almost but not
quite. convinced that this man was
really his brother Before acknowl-
edging him as such, however, he con-
sented, in Difference to the advice of
his lawyer, to write to Alton, request
ing some of the former acquaintance
of John H. 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-
tective officers, provided with a requi-
sition from the Governor of Illinois,
for the arrest of John H. Seymour Oh
a criminal charge. AS this requisition
/ was of no effect in Canada, they de-
coyed Replette 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
nant.
He fastened to write to the lawyer al
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 Johr
H. Seymour himself. He had been liv
ing in Tennessee under the name OF
Sinnott, and he, as well 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 no1
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 Sc
long since they had met, and who tolc
him of the claimant who had lately ap
peared. wearing the ring that had be
longed to John H. Seymour. The rea
John H. had no means Of identifyin:
!. himself, except by bringing to the
, remembrance of his brother scenes an(
incidents, and words in connection
, with their early life which were known
only to themselves. This process was
successful after 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
, cred at Alton that he was not the maj
he had represented himself to be, an{
he was set at liberty. He fastened tt
Kingston, but letter from Alton ha(
reached David Seymour previous to hi
, arrival, and he only experienced loss
= in being forced to give up to John Fl
Seymour the ring which had played
such a prominent part in this little
: drama.
5 The Seymours went to England
where they received and divided thei
property, and where John H is still
, living. in spite of extradition laws.
1niuht have worked I'M those incl