The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-09-28 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

REMARKABLE RETURN OF A SUPPOSED  SUICIDE.  A case presenting some extraordinary and even romantic features is at present occupying the attention of a prominent insurance company having its head office in Liverpool. Amongst the policies issued by the company in question was one upon the life of a mercantile clerk. The amount insured was not very great, and the premiums were duly paid. About eleven months ago a man's clothes were found upon the Leasowe shore, near Liverpool, under conditions which at once gave rise to the supposition that the owner of them had been bathing, and had been drowned. Subsequently a body was picked up in the vicinity, and, an inquest being held in due course, it was identified as that of the clerk in question' whilst the clothes were also identified as his. A verdict of "Found drowned" was returned, and the body was interred, no doubt appearing to existin the minds of everyone concerned as to the perfect regularity of the whole proceedings. The next step on the part of the relatives was to notify the insurance company of a claim, which was done, and in due course the amount of the policy was paid over to the mother, residing in Liverpool. Under these circumstances, the astonishment of the insurance company's officials may be imagined when, within the past week, the supposed drowned man walked into the head office to make a "clean breast" of the whole affair. He told a romantic story to the effect that, having become pressed in his financial affairs,he deliberately made up his mind to a course which would lead his creditors off the scent. He therefore went to the Leasowe shore and deposited the suit of clothing, which was afterwards discovered. He then proceeded to the West Float, Birkenhead, and joined a ship bound to California, on board of which an extra hand was required. Arrived at the vessel's destination, he subsequently made his way to Colorado, where the wheel of fortune turn-d in his favou.-. He became connected with a bee-farming entw prise, which proved so prosperous that he determing.d to return to Liverpool to clear up his of:fairs. He had accordingly done so, and represents that he has paid his debts, much to the surprise, of course, of the creditors, who were deceived equally with the insurance company. The distressing part of the story is that during his absence the man's mother has changed her address, and so far has not been traced. The insurance company do not suggest any collusion on the part of the mother, who appears to have acted bona fide, and to have been quite deceived by the action of her son, in which case, of course, his conduct cannot fail to be regarded as additionally reprehensible. A side issue of the extraordinary story is the question that now arises as to the identity of the body picked up on the Leasowe shore. Upon this no light has been thrown, and probably at this distance of time never will be. The above facts are given upon the authority of the ineuranoe company, whose only -atipulation is that the name of the company should not be publicly mentioned.  The Admiralty have ordered a survey to be made as to the fitness for further service of her Majesty's ship Wye, which has been in commission since 1879. An elderly man, named Henry Mills, a wellk nown miller and agriculturist, was killed at East ler by a train from East Grinstead iGorTintLitebardiceisv'riday Wells. The young King of Spain, who has taken his first sea trip between San Sebastian and Biarritz has proved himself an excellent sailor. He was much interested in all parts of the vessel, and fired his first cannon from the deck.