The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-09-23
is HE HER SON?
This is the Question Thai is Puzzliue
the DeniztBs Of Miles, Mich.
A VERY STRANGE CASE

4 Man Turns Up in Little Michigan
Town Claiming to be. Geo. A. Kim
mel, Who Is Supposed to Have
Died Sometime Ago and Causes
Much Discussion.
A dispatch from Niles, Mich, says
George Alfred Kimmel, believed by
relatives to have been, dead for thir.
teen years, arrived at his old home
there from the penitentiary at Au'
burn, N. P, late Tuesday and was
identified by former friends and as.
sociates.
Despite Kimmel's Identification
however, his mother, Mrs. Stella
kimmel, refused to see him. The
mother continued to denouce KIM
mel as an imposter who was attempt
irg to. deprive her of $4,000 insur-
ance which she had on her sons life
While dozens of persons positively
identified him as the son for whose
supposed death thirteen years ago
Mrs. Estella Kimmel received $4,000
in life insurance, an equal number,
was as positive that it was not the
same.
Then Mrs. Kimmel, 70 years old,
who had asserted that the man was
impersonating her son merely to de-
prive her Of the money she had al
ready received and to prevent the
payment of $25,0a0 more in insur-
ance to other relatives, scrutinized
the man who claims her as mother.
Brought. face to face with the wo-
man, "Kimmel," just released from
fve-year term in the Auburn IN. ~
penitentiary, stretched forth his arms
and said:
Mother! Don't you know me your
boy? Don't disown me any longer.
You know am your son."
Mrs. Kimmel, withdrawing from
the man as he attempted to embrace
her, stood sternly scanning his face.
"No," she said, Il don't see in you
any positive resemblance to my son. -
The meeting took place at the
home of Mrs. H. L. Fox, who had al
ready accepted "Kimmel" as cousin
and positively identified him as the
son of Mrs. Kimmel. 1t was made
known Mrs. Kimmel has no direct in
terest in any money which the insur-
ance Companies refuse to pay on the
ground that the son is still living, but
that a $4,000 policy is held by a
daughter. Mrs. Edna Kimmel Bons-
lett, and another $4,000 policy is held
by q distant relative.
II would have no selfish motive in
denying the identity of my son If he
were alive" said Mrs. Kimmel. "For
years l have felt sure he was dead,
and 7 can not believe that this man
is he. 1t seems that some motherly
instict ought to tell me the truth,
yet when I look at him l do not rec
ognize him. He only puzzles me. 1t
has almost prostrated me to look
upon this strange man and have peo-
pie insist that he is my son.
"Kimmel," on looking at the wo-
man, said he was positive she was his
mother.
81 wanted to take her in my arms, "
he said," for she looked the same as
years ago. | love her with all my
heart and can't understand why she
should insist I am dead. Still, l will
not worry her, and if she continues to
disbelieve me shall do as she wishes
know am Kimmel, for I recognize
every one"
To test his acquaintance with Niles
"Kimmel" was escorted about the
streets. He repeatedly pointed out
landmarks and related instances
which citizens said were correct. He
called persons by their full names,
but many of them professed not to re-
cognize him as the real Kimmel.
Nov to prove am familiar with
the town." said Kimmel, Il will tell
you that behind that hill there is a
big red brick house, on the south side
CT which is large elm tree, from
which we used to swing when boys
Every one declared the statement
was correct.
There was evidence after kimmel
left suggesting that he had led and
the insurance money was asked for
The life insurance company is said
TO have expended hundreds of dolla rs
in running down a theory that KIM
mel did not die. He was traced to
Arkansas City, Kan, where, so far as
his family knew, he was last seen.
Then a man answering the descrip-
ton of kimmel was found in a dazed
condition in St. Louis. He recover
ed in a hospital and later left for New
York, where, under the name Of An
drew J. White, he was arrested on a
| larceny charge After more warn
ings he was found in an asylum IN
New York and afterward traced to
Auburn penitentiary.
Several years after Kimmel's dis
appearance his mother instituted suit
| in the st. Louis courts to secure in
surance which she held on his life
A jury returned verdict in her fav.