Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-21
| MANY SAY HE IS KIMMEL
Others, Including the Mother, Look
Upon Ex-Convict as Impostor.
POINTS OUT OLD LANDMARKS
Tells of Boyhood Incidents and
Shows He Is Familiar With
the Town.


strange controversy over the identity of
George A. kimmel' who represents
himself 10 be man long supposed to be
dead. has been further complicated.
While scores of persons positively iden-
titled him as the son for whose supposed
death thirteen years ago Mrs. Estella
kimmel received $1,000 in life Insurance
an equal number were as positive that
II was not the son. Then Mrs. kimmel.
seventy years old asserted that the man
Is lmpersonating her son merely to de-
prive her of the money she already has
received and to prevent the payment of
S2.notD more in insurance to others.
1T is made known that Mrs. Kimmel has
no direct interest in any money which
the insurance companies refuse to pay
on the ground that the son is still living,
but that a 10000 policy is he'd by a
daughter. Mrs. Edna kimmel Bonslett.
and another 5000 policy is held by dis
tant relative.
Motherly Instinct Tells Her.
II would have no selfish motive in de-
nN1ng the identity of my son if he We're
alive said Mrs. Kimmel. For years
l have felt sure that he was dead and
cannot believe that this man is he. 1t
seems that some n1otherly instinct ought
to tell me the truth. vet when | look
at him l do not recognize him. He only
puzzles me. 1t has almost Frustrated
me to look upon this strange man and
have people insist that he is my SON.
'kimmel." on looking at the woman,
said he was positive she was his mother.
Il wanted to take her in my arms. y
he said. for she looked the same as
t-x,ar 1,o, r,-,Ar 4.
and cannot understand why she should
insist that | am dead. Still l will not
worry her. and if she continues to dis
believe me it shall be as she wishes But
| know / am Kimmel, for / recognize
every one
Points Out Landmarks.
To test his acquaintance with Niles.
''kimmel' later was escorted about. the
streets. He repeatedly pointed out the
landmarks and related former incidents
which the townspeopie said were correct.
Nodding to people. he called them by
their full names, but many of them pro-
fessed not to recognize 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 of which is a
large elm tree from which we used to
swing when boys"
Conflict of Opinion.
Every one declared the statement was
correct. Meantime, scores of persons who
went to identify kimmel came away with
conflicting opinions. Some of the reasons
given for opposing the belief that it was
Mrs. kimmel's son were:
Henry Dean, druggist-Because he re-
members that kimmel. when young had
brown eyes, whereas the present claimant
has light gray eyes.
DR.. f. NJ. Bonine-Because he performed
an operation on Kimmers eye which left
scar that could not have been eradi-
Gated, whereas the new ''kimmer' has no
such scar.
George Francis chief of police of Niles
Because he knew the real Kimmel from
boyhood up to the time of his disappear
ance, and this man has no physical re-
seinblance to the former; is positive he is
not the man.
Charles Montague the new
conner uses poor grammar in converse
ton. whereas the other kimmel was dis
| tinguished for his polished English.
l.. T.. Wood-Because he does not see
any resemblance to the earlier kimmel
Among those who claim the man is
:KimmeI' are:
| Joseph Wilson, janitor of the Niles
First National Bank-Because 'Kimmel, "
on first seeing him. shouted. Hello, Joe. =
/. He recognized "kimmel'' as a former en-
| ploye of the bank.
| w r. Observation-Disclosures this man re-
| membered once having rented a rig to
which was hitched horse with white
| eyes.
| Dr. J. f. Brown-Because he found or
! the left wrist of the newcomer tattooed
| the initials. &C. A. k
! Joseph Observation-Disclosures "Kimmel' re-
called wildly the drowning of a boy.ain a
| lake near Niles fourteen years ago.
Samuel Quiinby = Because "Kimmell
could tell him in detail of what happened
at a lodge meeting more than fifteen
years ago.