The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-09-27
is He Her son?
This is The Question That is Pulling
the Deriz ns Of Niles, Mich
4 VERY STRANGE CASE

) Man Turns Up in Little Michigan
Town Claiming to be Geo. a. Kim
mel, Who Is Supposed to Have
Died Sometime Ago and Cause:
Much Discussion.
A dispatch from Niles, Mich, say:
; George Alfred Kimmel, believed b.
relatives to have been dead for thir
teen years, arrived at his old homo
there from the penitentiary at Au
burn. n. P, late Tuesday and wa:
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
ing 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 $4,000 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 a
fve-year term in the Auburn On. -
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 sternIy scanning his face.
NO" she said, II don't see in you
any positive resemblance to my SOL" )"
The meeting took place at the
home cf 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
daughter. Mrs. Edna Kimmel Bons-
lett, and another $4,000 policy is held
by distant relative.
"I would have no selfish motive in
denying the identity of my eson if he
were alive" said Mrs. Kimmel. "For
years I have felt. sure he was dead,
and I can not believe that this man
is he. 1t seems that some motherly
instict ought to tell me the truth,
yet when 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.
Il wanted to take her in my arms"
he said" for she looked the same as
years ago. l love her with all my
heart and cant understand why she
should insist am dead. Still, will
not worry her, and If she continues to
disbelieve me I shall do as she wishes
I know I am kimmel, for 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.
"Now to prove am familiar with
the town." said kimmel, II will tell
YOU that behind that hill there is
big red brick house, on the south side
cf which is a 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 died and
the insurance money was asked for.
The life insurance company is said
to have expended hundreds OF dollars
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 man answering the descrip-
ton of Kimmel was found in dazed
condition in st. Louis. He recover
ed in 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 IoTk and atter"aTo tIdceu w
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.
4 jury returned verdict in her fav-
or and declared Kimmel to legally
dead. Upon this verdict one COM
pany paid Mrs. Kimmel on $4,000
policy. Another company which car
red a $4,000 policy. however, fought
| the claim and carried the matter to
higher courts.
Served Them Right.
In the federal court Meridian, Miss.
DR.. r. W. Shaw, Of Sumter county,
| Ala was fined $500, and Daisy Har-