The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-07-08
VOLUME xxxvIII
MYSTERY SURROUNDS TELE-
GRAM FROM SON SUPPOSED
no BE DEAD.

w ltnlh a lew udu
received telegram, purporting to be
from his son, Private James Cain.
stating that he was in New York, and
asking that $40 be sent him, Mr..
John Pete" Cain, of Paris, got a
communication from the Bureau
Of War Risk Insurance at
washington, stating that the $10,-
600 insurance for James Cain, who
was reported officially as having been
killed in action in France, in July,
1918, had been deposited in a Paris
bank.
In July of last year Mr.. Cain re-
ceived official notice from the War
Department that his son, Jas. Cain,
had been killed in action. Friday
night he received a telegram from
New York, worded as follows:
Mr.. Pete Cain, Paris:
Dear Papa-Arrived in New York
this morning from New Haven, Conn.
Wire me $40.
Your Son,
"JIM CAIN"
Mr.. Cain, who had finally become
reconciled to his sons death, now
had his anxiety aroused by the tele-
gram, which most people are inclin-
ed to regard as a fake, as similar
schemes have been worked in differ
ent parts of the country for the pur-
pose of extorting money. Immediate
ly upon receipt of the message Mr..
Cain notified the Government officials
in New York to try and locate the
sender and ask him such questions as
only his son could answer, his
mothers maiden name and other de-
tails that tend to establish his iden-
tity. Mr.. Gains suspicious were first
aroused from the fact that the tele-
gram was signed with the full name
of his son, instead of his first name
only.
There is one. incident that tends
to support the supposition that young
Cain is still alive. Private William
p. Quinlan, who recently arrived here
from Fance, stated that he talked
with Cain in October. while the Gov
renment officially reported him as
having been killed in action in July.
Shortly after receipt of the tele-
gram by Mr.. Cain, Manager John
McDermott, of the Postal Telegraph
Co., in this city, wired the manager
of the Office at New London, Conn.,,
from where the telegram was sent,
asking him to interrogate the sender
when he called for a reply, and gave
him a list of questions for the man
to answer. In reply he received the
following, under date of July z:
New London, Conn, July z, 1919.
"McDermott, Manager, Paris, KY.
Man purporting to be James Cain
called this morning. Stationed at
Fordniche as soldier. in Artillery
Corps. Tall, large frame, nearly all
upper front teeth gold-filled. Says
has brother Robert on other side
Been across eighteen months. Says
mother died while away. Expects
discharge soon. Says reported killed
Will call again about eleven fol
money. Advise.
Manager, New London. Conn.,"
From this it may be seen that there
are several conflicting statements. AS
the people of Paris know Robert
Cain has never been in the service
and has never been in France. The
description does not exactly tally
with James Cain. Every effort is be
ing made to have the authorities
clear up the mystery, which is q
most battling one for Mr.. Cain anC
his friends and relatives.
Another message having decided
bearing on the mystery was received
here by Manager McDermott from
the New London manager, which
stated that the young man calling fo
the money had been placed under ar
rest, and that he had admitted thai
he was not James Cain. 1t was alleg
ed that kilograms similar to the one
sent to Mr.. Cain had been sent from
the same place, New London, Conn.
to Carlisle parties, asking for $40
1t was alleged That the telegram wa!
signed Noel Stevens" 1t was statet
yesterday that young man who for
merly resided in Paris, and who ha'
been in the army service, is strongl.
suspected, and that the authorize
are proceeding upon that theory IL
making their investigations.