Year: 1875

AN ATTEMPT TO OEFRAUD LIFE INSURANCE


CoMPANY-A TIMELY DISCOVERY OF THE


SUPPOSED DEAD MAN-HIs ARREST AND CON-


vIcTIoN FOR ENBEzz1EMENr AND CONSPIRACY


0swEGo, Sept % 1875.


On the 21st day OF June last named Alexander
Queal of this city, insured his life in the Travellers
Accident Insurance Company of Hartford for s. OOO
Queal was a driver of Of the Delaware and Lacka
wanna Express Company's wagons, a we'll known
and of good character Six months before he
red to young lady of 0swego, named De Mars and
the prospects that he would in short time be
promoted TO CHER position in the express company's
employ and one of considerable responsibility.


About eight O'Clock the evening of the day
after the insurance was effected Queal in company
with his brother in-law Frank De Mars and another
man named John German, started out for sail in Lake
Ontario. The day had been a very stormy one and at
the time the party embarked the lake exceedingly
rough. Tho wind was blowing almost gale from the
shore and the idea of the embarkng a sail boat
upon the lake looked upon a most dangerous
and foolhardy freak The boat barely large
enough to hold the three, and was soon
out Of sight Of those on shore. Nothing
was heard Of the boat again. but about mid
night De Mars and German appeared this city. Their
clothing soaked and bedraggled they presented


most ptable appearance They said that after sail
ing four miles down the lake it thought best
TO put about and return home. In attempting to do



lake Queal they said kept up for a short time, but
finally sank and they saw him De Mars
and German managed 10 reach the Shore which
was distant about a mile, and returned to
Oswego foot The slightest question was not raised
against the truth Of this story, and Queals friends
lamented him as lost His young wife was almost
frantic with grief and the affair threw gloom
large portion Of the city


Quea besides driving OF the express companys
wagons, also intrused by 1t TO make collections,
and the day Of the above occurrence he had col
lected some $500, which he had not re-
was had IN
his person, and that it was his intention to
pay it over the next day as was his custom His wife
was left destitute circumstances, and although his
life was insured for 900 the express company in
formed the widow that there would be demand made
on that for the deficit in Queals accounts


In due time Mrs Queal applied for the Insurance
money called for by the policy 6h her late
husbands s; life The & Insurance company mott;
in sixty days after the presentation OF the
proofs Of death. This pronounced satisiac-
tory and the money was TO be paid on the 22d Of
August On the 10th OF August merchant of this city
had business which called him TO Carthage Jeer
county Stopping at one Of the hotels of the place
he was considerably astonished TO discover ia
who sat him at the dinner table less person
age than Alexander Quea, whom all oswego supposed
70 be at the bottom of Lake ontario. The
man was disguised but there was no doubt of
his Identity and the MERCHANT at procured
his arrest He was brought to this city where he was
arragned for preliminary examination on charge OF de-
frauding the express company Of 5000 and on cQnspr
ing defraud the insurance company OF S., 600 Dc
Mars and German arrested and held to bad on the
latter charge. Letters were found Queals person
written him by his wife, and addressed TO him under
assumed names showing that she, too, in the
splracy


on the preliminary examination Dc Mars and Cor
man swore that they beived Quea to be drowned and
Queal swore that he swan away from his companions
and reached shore but that the former knew nothing
Of his escape


The three put under bonds to appear for trial.
which has just ended at the September session Of
the oyer aud Termner Court Of this county, before
/ Judge Hardin. The direct evidence
against the conspirators that OF John
Naloney discovered the preliminary examination
Naloney a quarryman and works the lake where
the party landed He that the three ashore
together and by him They, fearing this fact
might destroy the success Of their scheme, brbed
Maoney keep quiet with the promise that they would
pay him $500 as soon as tho insurance money was
handed over 10 them. Malonoy says he would never
have stpeachedn II be had got the money.


verdict Of guilty was found against Qucal on both
charges and against De Mars and German the one
charge MIS- Qucal having evidently been under the
influence Of her husband and the Others no proceedings
were taken against her. Sentence has not yet been