Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-07

and which refused him $4,000 ad-
ditionsl on the ground that he was
overinsured. These applications had
gone through the Jacksonville office.
| The Equitable was one Of those active
in investigating Painters death. This
company ranked next to the Mutual
in the amount of insurance on Pain
ter
His Death a Surprise.
Coles had been in bad health for
several months The Painter mystery
caused him much worry, as It did the
agents Of other companies interested.
A few days ago, while the Painter in
vestigation was in progress, he was
forced to take his bed, but his Illness
was not considered serious, and It
was stated at his office only Friday
afternoon that he was expected at his
desk within a few days. However,
before the day was over he was
stricken with a heart attack and died
almost Immediately.
The announcement of his death to-
day came as a real shock in Jackson
Vile business circles, for Coles was
one Of the most popular men here. He
had been a resident Of Jacksonville for
nine years He was 81 years old. His
wife and eight children survive him.
Rush Active Investigation.
The Mutual Equitable and New
York Life companies have been most
active in the Investigation Of Paint
er's death. Each Of these companies
has had an adjuster here directly
representing the home office. Some
Of the companies have had inspectors
on the ground, while two or three
have been represented only by their
resident general agents. The Mutual,
being the largest company Interested,
has probably gone more thoroughly
into the case than any other.
The local insurance men are reti-
cent in discussing the details Of the
investigations made for their compd-
niles until the report on the autopsy
and chemical examination OF Paint
er's organs reaches the Coroners
Jury. They fear to disclose any IF
their information lest II prejudice
their cases If the anticipated court
contests over the payment Of the poll
iCies materialize.
State TO Take No Action.
The state Of Florida. through the
Criminal Court, is taking and Will
take no part in the Painter inquest
declared William a. Hallowes, States
Attorney to-day There is no sus-
plcion whatever that Mr.. Painters
death was due 10 any act Of violence
ON the part Of another" he said, and
for that reason there is no occasion
for an inquest as far as the Criminal
Court is concerned. The law specifies
that inquests are necessary only
where there IL suspicion of death being
due directly or indirectly to Grim
inal action on the part Of another
No such condition applies in this
case. and SO stated To the Coroners
Jury. The Coroner has authority to
call an inquest when he sees fit, and
20 report the findings 10 the Criminal
Court for the action of the Grand
Jury. but I Will state positively that
the Painter ease will not be presented
Co that body.
Mr. Painter died either from nat
ural causes, by accidentally drowning
or he committed suicide, No second
party had any hand In his death. The
question is one between the insurance
companies and the representatives Of
the dead mans family The state Of
Florida has no interest in it
Attorney Hallowes is law grad
uate of the University of Georgia,
class of 1903
No Report Vet.
The report Of analysis made Of
Painters vital organs 10y Baltimore
chemists did not reach Jacksonville
to-day Cashier Wheeler Of the Bar
nett National Bank. 10 which institu-
| ton il was ordered sent, said IL had
I not reached the bank nor had there
been any message received as 10
when 10 would come Coroner G.. d
Abbott said he had received a mes
sage that the report would leave
Baltimore on Monday. That means
La will De next Wednesday before IL
will be available for action by the
Coroner's jury After completing
their tests the chemists needed addi-
tonal time 10 write and certify under
oath TO their report
Dr j. r Boyd and DR.. p. G. Perry.
| the physicians representing the Pain
ter family, who performed the au-
topsy and who went 10 Baltimore 10
witness the chemical analysis. ar
rived in Jacksonville Friday night
after an absence of fifteen days on
this case.
The result Of the Baltimore analysis
Is a closely guarded secret as far as
Jacksonville is concerned. DrS. Boyd
and Perry and representative Of the
| Painter family are the only persons
here who know what took place IN
Baltimore. and they absolutely refuse
TO discuss the matter to-day DIT
Perry said IL Will answer no ques-
tions whatever II Is no use asking