St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-09-23
Many Think Him Telling the
Truth and Question Him
Tries to Convince Doubters
By Referring to Boyhood.
Related Former Instances
Which Were All Correct.

back from the proffered embrace OF
the mysterious man who claims to
be her SON, Mrs. Estelle Kimmel to-
day faced him for first time since
their dramatic meeting in prison at
Auburn four years ago.
Mother, don't you know your
boy? Don't disown me any longer,
You know / am your son., he said.
Mrs. Kimmel, withdrawing from
the man as he attempted to embrace
her, stood sternly scanning his face.
mo" she said, 81 do not see in you
any positive resemblance to my son.
The meeting took place at the
home of Mrs. Harry L. Fox, who al
ready had accepted "KimmeP' as
cousin and positively identified him as
the son of Mrs. Kimmel. 1t was
made known Mrs. Kimmel has no
direct interest in any money which
thu insurance companies refuse to
pay, on the ground that the son Is
still living, but that $4,000 policy
lis held by daughter, Mrs. Edna
Kimmel Bonslett, and another $4,000
policy is held by distant relative.
81 would have no selfish motive in
denying the identity of my son ii
he were alive" said Mrs. Kimmel.
"For years | have felt sure he was
dead, and / cannot believe that this
man is he. 1t seems that some
motherly instinct ought to tell me
the truth, yet when look at him
do not recognize him. He only puz-
zles me. 1t has almost prostrated
me to look upon this strange man
and have people insist that he is my
son.
Kimmel.' Z on looking at the wo-
man, said he was positive she was
his mother.
II wanted to take her in my
arms" he said, !" for she looked the
same as years ago. love her with
all my heart, and cannot understand
4 why she should insist L am dead.
Still, will not worry her, and If
she continues to disbelieve / shall
lido as she wishes. / know / am
Kimmel, for recognize every one. :"
To test his acquaintance with
Mics, "Kimmel" was escorted about
the streets. He repeatedly pointed
Iout landmarks and related former
incidents, which citizens said were
lcorrect. He recalled persons by their
full names, but many of them pro-
fessed not to recognize him as the
Ireal Kimmel.
Now, to prove am familiar with
1.-THE town." said Kimmel, ~ will tell
you that behind that hill there is a
big red brick house, on the south
side of which is large elm tree,
from which We used to swing when
boys"
Meanwhile scores of people who
went to the Fox home to indentify
kimmel came away with conflicting
opinions. Some of the reasons given
for opposing the belief that it was
Mrs. Kimmels son were:
Henry Dean, Druggist-Because
he remembers that Kimmel when
Iyorng had brown eyes, whereas the
tpresent claimant has light gray eyes
DR.. F. M. Bonine-Because he
performed an operation on Kimmel's
have been eradicated, wheeras the
new "Kimmer' has no such scar.
George Francis, Chief of Police ol
Ni!es-Because he knew the rea
Kimmel from birth up to the time Of
his disappearance, and this man hai
no physical resemblance to the form
er; is positive he is not the man.
Chas. Montague-Because the new
| conner uses poor grammar, wherea,
the real Kimmel was known for hi
polished English.
Among the evidence put forth b,
those who claim Kimmel Is the mar
he says he is are:
ri Jos. Wilson, Janitor of the Nile
First National Bank-Because Oh
, | first seeing him shouted, Hello
iJoe." He recognized "Kimmel" as I
former employee of the bank.
w. B. Brikley--Becanse this maj
! remembered once having rented ri,
) to which was hitched horse will
i white eyes.
: DR.. j. F. Brown-Because b.
found on the left wrist Of the new
d confer tatooed the initials &c. A. K.
Joseph Hatcher-Because kim
Q lmel' recalled vividly the drownin,
: tof boy in a lake near Niles fourteel
: years ago.
4 Samuel Quimby-Because kim
7 ln.ep' could tell him in detail OF wha
2 happened at lodge meeting NOR
Q than fifteen years ago.
2 My explanation of this man
( ability to assume the real Kimmel |
/ this, said Chas. Montague, a cousi
( OF Mrs. Kimmel, at the time Kim
, mel disappeared the newspapers wer
full of mystery stories as to whs
had become of him. This man say
ne was in st. Louis about that tim,
He may have been familiar with Mile
and SO have taken an interest in th
. story. Il was then that he was slu,
: ged IN st. Louis. The blows impai
9, ed his mind. My belief is that b
ls mind was SO affected that he 10
g his own identity and came to II