INSURANCE FRAUDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9647, 23 January 1903, Page 4

INSURANCE FRAUDS.

♦ MEN MURDERED TO OBTAIN POLICY MONEY. NEW YORK, Nov. 30. Startling disclosures liuve beem made by Dr. C. R. Hiirle, of Chihuahua, Mexico, regarding some extensive frauds on the New York Life Insurance Company, for which William Mason and C. T. Richardson are alleged to be responsible aud are under, arrest at El Paso, Texas. Dr. ' Harle, who acts ws • local medical examiner for the New York Life Insurance Company, declares that In June, 1901, he insured Harry Mitcliell, of Chihuahua, for £2000 at the instance of the prisoner Riclmrdson, who undertook to pay the premium. On February 11, 1902, Mitchell, who had previously been m perfect licaltih, was taken violently ill, and died half an hour later. Strychnine poison was the. cause. At Richardson's request Dr. Harle re- | ported to the insurance company that Mitchell had died of oerebro-spmal fever. [ The policy of £2000 was accordingly paid. Subsequently Richardson picked up a i^lr Devers, a confirmed drunkard, lured him to Chihuahua, and took out anotih'er policy for £2000 on his life, naming the other prisoner (Mason) as the beneficiary. Devers was given plenty of money to buy whisky, and a supply of liquor wtos always kept for him at liis house. Dr. Harle was called m to see Devers on February 22, 1902, and found him suffering terribly and his stotaach much swollen. He said lie hud eatea cheese, nnd died half an hour later. The cause of Devers* death was certified by Dr. Harle as dysentery, and the New York Life Assurance- Company paid the full value of the policy. After the two /daims had been settled Dr. Harle received a cheque for £40 for his services.