The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-08
had $N5,ooo LIFE INSURANCE
EDWIN M. THAYER, ACCUSED OF
FORGERY, DIES SUDDENLY.
He Was Only ~ Years Old and Lived in
Newtonville, Mass.-Had Lived An
Extravagant Ahe-Constable Was with
Him When He Died in Boston Hotel.

BosroN, May 7,-Nearly all the life in
| suranoe companies maintaining offices in
this city are Interested In the investig ation
into the death of Edwin M. Thayer of New
tonville, who Is known to have taken out
policies for S40s 900 within a few months
and who died suddenly Of acute Bright's
disease at Back Bay hotel on last Thurs
day night, while In custody Of constable.
Just how a constable happened to be
with Thayer at the time is puzzling, for he
had been released on bail pending the hear
ing of a criminal charge on the Tuesday
before and his counsel refuses to tell any
thing about the matter.
1t is supposed that some civil action
was brought against Thayer and that he
was nominally under arrest
While the policies Thayer is known to
have taken out amount to siO5 900, it ia said
in insurance circles here that he had $50 900
additional In various companies, the names
of which cannot be learned, and it is limited
that the amount may be even greater.
Thayer, in applications filed recently
when seeking further insurance, said that
he had the following policies: 100000 IN the
Penn Mutual of Philadelphia, 500 600 in the
Mutual Life OF New York, $50 900 in the
Prudential Life, SIS 900 in the Phoenix Nut
ual Of Hartford, 5000 in the Equitable Life
OF New York. $4,000 in the State Mutual
l. fe Of Boston and $500 in the National
Insurance Company Of New York, S25. 90
in the John Hancock Mutual; $4,000
in the Provident Savings Life Of New York;
5000 in the Mutual Benefit Insurance
Company OF New York and 5000 in the
Home Life Of New York
Thayer. who was only 20, lived at Newton
vile, with his wife. graduate OF Wellesley
and the daughter of rich Minneapolis
man.
At the time Of the death of his father a
few years ago he received legacy Of $50, 900,
but he soon spent the greater part Of the
sum. When he married, in 1901, his mother
built him fine home. To-day Mrs. Thayer
gave birth to a child.
Thayer was treasurer Of the Dolores Min
ing and Milling Company, a copper con-
Germ. At the time Of his arrest and before
taking this place, he was an insurance So
licitor.
His judgment as to investments was
considered excellent in spite Of his youth,
and in more than one insurance office,
sums Of money ranging from $500 to 81 500
-
investments resulted has not been learned
Thayer was arrested on April 81, charged
with forgery and uttering fal,e notes. It
was charged that he secured 5000 from
George W. Morse Of East Boston through
George I. Robinson, Jr.. a note broker here.
giving as security a note for Is 900 signed
by Mrs. Catherine B. Greene.
The note was secured by an Assignment
~ pnrtx fnr hn ot
10 Worcester street, where Mrs. Greene
Greene denied having signed the note or
mortgage.
When placed under arrest Thayer is
said to have told of his doings to the officer
and boosted of having obtained So 900
from another man in similar manner.
From the way in which the man had done
the crooked work and his free talk the i'm
preston was created that he was mentally
The next day Thayer was let go on bail.
hearing being set for this week On
last Thursday night Thayer died suddenly
at the hotel and Medical examiner Draper
who performed an autopsy, said tonight
that beyond all question the man died
OF acute bright's disease.
To-day the Penn Mutual sent it's adjuster
to Newtonvile to make inquiries about
Thayer's health prior to his death. The
adiuster is said to have learned that DR..
David E. Baker. the physician Of the Thsyer
family, had been treating him during the
last five months for kidney trouble.
George w Anderson acted as Thayer's
counsel, but since the latter's death, he has
been appointed special administrator OF
the estate and has retained Col. Melvin
Adams as counsel Neither lawyer will
discuss the case, but the intimation was
made that the payment Of the life insurance
might he contested