The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-12
SOUGHT 100000 POLICY,
INSURANCE MEN WONDER IF WILL
LOJGHBY MIDDLETON GOT 1T.

AtLcast Two Companies Turned Him Down
He Was Too willing siissins President
of Realty Concern Said TO Have Claimed
SIS 900 Income From England.
The puzzle Of "Willoughby" Middleton's
disappearance was heightened yesterday
by rumors that for several months "the
wealthy Englishman a. he was called
about Harlem had negotiated with three
Of the leading life insurance companies
for million dollar policy on his life. Two
Of the companies it was said, grew sus-
picious and declined to assume the risk.
Some insurance agents think that Middle
ton may have been accepted by the third
company. but no confirmation OF this was
furnished.
One Of the companies that rejected the
missing man was the Mutual Lite. 1t is
said that after the Mutual Life officials
declined to do business with Middleton.
Gage E. Tarbell of the Equitable called
upon him to discuss the issue OF policy.
Mr.. Tarbell's visit to Middleton was known
to insurance men at the time, 1t Ia said.
and created no little comment. The COM
pany in which Middleton Ia supposed to
have insured for a million issues policy
which becomes incontestable upon de-
livery.
In his application. insurance men gay,
Middleton described himself as Allan
Melville Middleton, better known as Will
loughby Middleton His age is given as
IS, and attached to the application was
private memorandum from an agent to
the company's officers stating that the
applicant was "Sir Allan Melville Middleton,
who is also known as Lord Willoughby."
The application added that the applicant
was unable to supply any New York refer
enoe, but that he referred by permission
to the Bishop Of London and the Bishop OF
Exeter. The Mutual Life rejected the APP
plication on the plea that the doctors re-
port was not first class, but the real reason.
according to an official, was that the mans
manner was too easy to be savory. He
was too anxious to be insured"
It has been frequently stated by the
police snce Middleton's disappearance
that he resided with Horace Richmond.
an alleged business associate, at White
Plains. In his application for policy
from the second company which rejected
him, Middleton gave his residence at 80
West Ninety-fourth street. For the guild
ance OF the home office a note was attached
to this application stating that Middleton's
house telephone was 1892 Riverside.
Middleton told the one story to all the
companies. He said hat he was a member
Of the family OF the English Middletons,
but he never claimed that he had the title
Of The Earl Of Inniskillen. He also told the
agents that he had an annual income Of
$ss. 900 from an English estate, that he did
idea in insuring was to protect the New York
Realty Corporation, OF which he was preei-
dent, and which, he added, was backed by
Engis funds.
The annual premium on 100000 at
Middleton's age was $4,000. million
dollar policy is 90 unusual in the insurance
business that other agents soon heard that
Middleton wanted to be insured, and there
was a general scramble to get the business.
Middleton did not turn his back on any
Of the agents. He bought drinks and cigars
for some OF them. The general behavior
OF wealthy men when approached about
insurance is to find fault with the con-
ditions Of the policy or to assume an air OF
indifference. Middleton was put down as
easy and his docility made the companies
suspicious.
Another strange thing about him was
that he insisted upon the medical examina-
ton taking place in his offices in the bank
building and stranger still at night. when
all his clerks and stenographers we're gone
for the day. The only time he showed
any anger was when he demonstrated with
an agent for sending inspectors around
to inquire priva tely about him.
With one exception, all the larger in
surance companies pay the face value
Of a life policy seven years after the disap-
pearance Of the insured, it being agreed,
however, that the money is to be refunded
in the event OF the insured turning up after
the policy has been paid. The burden Of
proof rests with the insurance company.