The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-04

whom he purchased the morphine that
he intended to use it in getting rid of
gophers which haze burrowed, to such
extent on the grounds surrounding his
home that they had become a pest. In
fact this was the story related by the
attorneys for the Perkins estate. 1t is
said now that this defense will be
waived aside on the claim that reason
OF some character had to be given by
Perkins and that he had hit on the ex-
tstence OF gophers to excuse the pur-
chase OF such a large quantity Of
morphine for some time past as slim
ulant and that when he made public
appearance he was accustomed to re-
sort to morphine In order to brighten
up his speeches. The commission ap-
pointed by Judge Smith MCPHERSON in
the United States circuit court in Sep
TENDER has had full charge of the
analysis since September Is, while a
check analysis has been made by pro-
fessors or Kansas university who were
engaged by the Perkins estate. The
check analysis has not yet been made
public.
Perkins, who came to his death on
June ], 1907, following q fall from the
ROOF of his newly constructed residence
In Lawrence carried life insurance ag-
gregating close to $3.50 The New
York Life Insurance company and
northwestern Insurance company, both
of which carried heavy risks refused to
tight settlement and paid over the full
amount of the insurance carried but
the Mutual Life Insurance company of
New York, which had insured Perkins
to the amount of 100000, fought pay
ment, claiming that death came as the
result of a suicidal attempt and that
morphine was taken by Perkins with
this intent. The attorneys for the Per-
kins estate fought against the attempt
of the Mutual Life Insurance company
to have the body disinterred and an
autopsy held. The hearing was had IN
the United States circuit court before
Judge Smith Mcpherson OF Iowa VINO
finally ordered that the body be dis1n,.
tered and appointed commission OF
experts in toxfcology to examine into
the body of the dead man and discover
If morphine poisoning existed. the
body was removed from the steel vault
in which it reposed in the Oak Hill
cemetery and after certain portions
had been removed for use in the
analysis the body was rebur1ed-
What effect the report Of this an
alysis will have on the insurance COM
panies that have already settled with
the Perkins estate and PAID over the
face of the insurance policies is one OF
speculation. Some persons claim that
SUIT will be instituted to recover the
money paid, but this contention is du-
bfous The New York Life Insurance
in which the deceased was
insured for 100000 has paid over
as has also the Northwestern Life,
which held policy of 100000.
No other claims have been settled
this includes the following named
New york Mutual 100000.
Capitol Life of Denver, 10000.
Mutual Benefit, $4,000.
Maryland Casualty company, So
900.
Aetna Life Insurance, accident de-
partment, $4,000.
Fidelity and Casualty company, So
900.
All three of the latter policies were
accident policies. Suit has been in
stituted by the estate against the New
York Mutual, Capitol Life and the FL
deity and Casualty company for the
of the amounts named in the
policies on the basis that payment
should be made and that satisfactory
proof of death has been furnished
Other suits will follow against the
who have held out and re-
fuse to make payment. In addition
o this s75. 900 damage suit has-been
for having disinterred the body of
Perkins, Mrs. Ella Perkins, widow,
s the plaintiff named.
Perkins between September 1906
and January 1907. applied for a total
If 1925, 900 of Insurance, $69O.O0O of
'erent companies. The Equitable Life,
Union Central, Pennsylvania Mutual
md Prudential Insurance companies
'efused large policies the former for
s150,000 and the last three for $780,
300 each. 1t was estimated that pre-
NUNS on the policies amounted to |
from $4,000 to $4,000
while it was claimed that Perkins in
come failed to come anywhere near |
his amount An inventory showing
his estate to be. worth s242,OS5.67
vas filed for probate.
1t is something unusual for member
If comnission to give out the results |
# a report prior to fling it in the court /
N fact it is against all the practice as
obtains in the federal court and DIR.
w NJ. Cross who gave out the interview
nay be cited for contempt of court.
DALTON IS FREE. |