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FRAUD CLAIMED.
THE STRANGE STORY OF TWO
INSURANCE POLICIES,
Dying Men are Forced to Compromise
for Half Face Value—V Scandal
Involving Many People.
The Looking Glass has been placed
in possession of a most remarkable
story. It deals with the compromise
of a claim by a great Life Insurance
Company under circumstances so ex
traordinary as to be practically without
a parallel.
It is a sensation any way one looks
at it. From one point of view it is an
outrageous piece of oppression and
from the other a very astonishing
conspiracy to defraud. That the latter
construction will be placed upon it is
highly doubtful from the excellent
standing of the parties involved.
Among the planters of Upton coun
ty none are better known than the
Blalocks. The present head of the
family, Mr. J. T. Blalock, has a line
estate known as “The Oaks,” on the
line of the A. <fc F. road. He is a
native Georgian, highly respected and
well known in this city where he is a
frequent visitor.
There were in all four brothers in
the family, the Mr. Blalock of “The
Oaks,’’ R. J. Blalock a merchant of
Barnesville, Ga., and W. B. and C. W.
Blalock, residing in Florida. All of
the brothers had been brought up on
a farm and were strong, robust men.
In May, 1892, Mr. R. J. Blalock
went to Florida on a hunting excur-
thinking to unite business
withjßreasure obtained a commission
as solicitor for the Equitable Insurance
Company. He wrote a number of
policies while on the trip and among
others he pursuaded his two brothers
to insure. They applied for $5,000
each.
C. W. Blalock was then residing at
Tennille,Fla., and there being no medi
cal examiner at that point went to
Palatka, where he was passed by the
company’s regular physician. The
latter remarked, it is said, that Mr.
Blalock was the “finest risk” he had
ever passed.
Mr. W. B. Blalock was examined by
another of the company’s physicians
at High Springs, where he was in the
merchandise business, and passed
without question. He was then about
28 years old. C. W. Blalock was 2
years younger, and both apparently in
fin physical condition.
Not long after the policies were
issued W. B. Blalock experienced some
symptoms of lung trouble. There
had never been any consumption in
the family, and the symptoms were so
slight that it was over a year before
he became alarmed.
Meantime the younger brother mov
ed to High Springs and the two men
lived and slept together. In the early
part of ’93 both began to show marked
signs of consumption. They had
hemorrhages and rapidly declined in
strength until in September, 1893, they
sold out their business and came to
"The Oaks” in Upson county to reside
with their elder brother.
From this point on the story is best
told by Mr. J. T. Blalock himself.
“My brothers,” he said in describing
the case, “ came home to die. They
had galloping consumption. I attrib
ute it to the fact that the younger
one spent 10 months in Brazil in 1891,
for our family history is entirely free
of the disease. I realized their condi
tion and did my best to make their
last days comfortable.
“On the 25th of last January, when
; both boys were very low, Dr. Hawes
! of Atlanta, Inspector of Medical Ex
aminers for the Equitable, called at
my house and to my amazement stated
that the company had evidence of
fraud in the procuring of the policies
on my brothers’ lives, and would
receive no more premiums. He offer
ed to compromise by returning the
premiums with interest and said that
the company would contest the claims
clear to the court of last resort.
“I was indignant, and urged my
brother not to listen to such a proposi
tion. The doctor'talked with them
for several hours, and in. their weak
condition, the excitement nearly pros
trated them. He told them that he
did not know what the company had
learned,but would advise a settlement
to save endless litigation. As he
talked he gradually raised his offer
first to $1,500 then to $2,500.
“My brothers stoutly protested that
the applications had been all right
and declined his terms.
• “ On January 29th, three days later,
Dr. Hawes returned with Mr. Morris,
of Atlanta, the company’s agent, and
renewed his over.ures. They repeated
the old threat of litigation and rung
every imaginable change on it, finally
offering $5,000 for the two policies.
My brothers knew that they were
very near death, and believing that
they would save the family the trouble
and humiliation of fighting the case
in court, finally accepted. One thing
that influenced them was the dread
that their integrity would be ques
tioned when they were in their graves
and could not speak for themselves.
Two drafts of $2,500 each were given
and the visitors left with the policies.
“The interview, I am convinced,
killed my younger brother. He was
broken with exhaustion and mortifi
cation and went at once to bed. Next
da£ he died. My other brother died
on the 15th of this month.
“I made up my mind that I would
i not permit a stain to rest on the boys’
honor. We care nothing about the
balance of the policy ; we do not need
it, but my brothers were honorable
gentlemen and I determined to force
this great company to state just why
they had questioned the policies. Its
own physicians had passed them when
I they applied, and I could not see that
the mere fact that my brother secured
the application should have weight.
Men insure their relatives every day.
The last hours of both of my dead
brothers were embittered by the
thought that their good faith had
been challenged, and I wrote the com
pany insisting that they state their
reasons for so doing.
“ I did not ask any money settle
ment, and went so far as to say that
the family would be satisfied to know
that the company believed it was act
ing in good faith. They have ignored
this request entirely. I now intend
to give the facts the widest publicity
I can without fear that they will re
flect upon our name.”
The case, it will be seen, is a very*
peculiar one. The company’s claim
of fraud involves, of course, not only
the two brothers, but Mr. Blalock, of
Barnesville, and the Florida physi
cians who passed the applications.
Those who know the Blalock family
do not believe for a moment that there
was any deception used. As Mr. Bla
lock does not propose to let the mat
ter rest, it is certain that some highly
sensational developments may be
looked for in the near future.
Help for impecunious people with
desirable pledges, can be found at 146
Decatur St. The New York Loan Office.
The Looking Glass.
WAS IT SUICIDE ?
C. A. Lewis Was Out of Work and
Despondent.
Within the past few weeks several
cases of suicide have been successfully
hushed up by friends, and there is a
popular impression that the death of
Charles A. Lewis was another instance
of self-destruction.
The truth will never be known.
The deceased was a traveling man
for the Everett-Ridley-Ragan Co.,
widely known. This season he was
unsuccessful on the road, and last
Saturday he was laid off. This troub
led him greatly. He had no money
and pawned his fine gold watch for
S2O. He was perfectly sober at the
time.
At eleven o’clock Monday night Dr.
Harris was summoned to his room at
the Markham. He found Lewis bor
dering on delirium, and gave him a
small hypodermia injection of mor
phine. Next day he was found dead.
If he committed suicide he took
some drug in the interval. If not he
died from causes unknown. The cor
oner’s verdict of “death from excessive
alcoholism,” was absurd, rs coroners’
verdicts usually are. Lewis had been
drinking to some extent, but not
enough to cause death.
The opinion of his intimates is that
in a moment of despondency he took
his life.
TWO SWEET SONGS.
Atlanta talent has lately placed two
new and exquisite songs before the
public. The first is “ I knew her by
the Rose,” one of Mr. F. L. Stanton’s
melodious prems set to music by Mr.
Walter F. Grace, and the other is
“ Dream Bells,” both words and music
by Lollie Belle Wylie. The latter song
is dedicated to Col. Cockerill, of New
York, and both are gems that no
music lover should be without. They
are on sale everywhere.
SOLID.
Regardless of Panic and Hard Times,
Atlanta’s Flourishing Building
and Loan Associations In
creases its Business.
The National Railway Building and
Loan Association, of this city, held its
annual stockholders meeting on April
4th, and according to the report of its
Secretary, shows a magnificent gain in
business over last year, despite the ex
ceedingly hard times. This is not to be
wondered at, however, as the directors
of the Association are among the fore
most ranks of financiers and business
men of the country. A glance at their
names will be sufficient to establish this
beyond a doubt, and also prove to the
most skeptical that an investment in
this Company is as safe asU. S. 4’s. The
public is so familiar with the following
names that an introduction is super
fluous. They compose the directory
of this association and are worthy of all
confidence. W. H. Hulsey, President.
Attorney at law. (Ex-Mayor City of
Atlanta.) J. M. Stephens, Vice-Presi
dent. (Supt. W. U. Telegraph Co.
Member City Council.) E. S. Pratt,
Treasurer. (Cashier American Trust
and Banking Co.) Hulsy & Bateman,
Attorneys at Law, Attorneys. L. N.
Trammel, (Chairman Ga. R. R. Com
mission.) Jos. H. Johnson, (Vice-Prest.
Inter-State Abstract Co.) B. W. Wrenn,
(Gen. Pass. Agt. E. T. V. & Ga R. R.)
D. B. Stancliffe, Secretary and Mana
ger. Under the able and skillful man
agement of the above gentlemen, the
Association will go down to posterity
as a model of suerty and success.
DR. E. GREWER.
The Well Known Philadelphia
Specialest.
Will visit the following cities in
Georgia: Will arrive in Augusta on or
about April 14th, and will be found at
“Hotel Arlington.” Savannah, on or
about April 20th, and will be found at
“Hotel DeSoto.” Brunswick, on or
about April 17th, at “Ocean Hotel.”
Watch papers for announcement of
arrival, and the name of Hotel where
he and staff of physicians may be con
sulted. Home office, Atlanta, Ga.
Remember tl)e Crescegt
Steari) Laur)dry, No. 124
Peachtree, is doipg Gloss
apd Domestic poisl).
Styrts, plair), .10 cegts.
Collars, - 2 1-2 cts.
Cuffs, - - 4 cents
’Pborje 800.
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER.
GEORGIA, 1
Fulton County. J
To The Superior Court of Said County:
The petition of W. Woods White, Thad E.
Murphey, E. J. Costello, B. H. Hill, and such
others as they may associate «ith them, respectfully
shows that they desite for themselves, their associ
ates and successors, to be incorporated for the
period of twenty years with the privilege of re
newal at the end of that time, under the corporate
name of COLLEGE PARK LOAN & INVEST
MENT COMPANY. The object of said corpora
tion is pecuniary gain and profit for its stockholders,
and to carry out said object they desire to be incorpo
rated under the above name, ana as such corporation
they shall have the power to buv, sell, discount and
collect bonds, stocks, notes, bills, securities and all
choses in action, to lend money on real and per
sonal property at such rate of interest as may be
agreed upon, not in excess of the highest contract
rate allowed by law, and for any time agreed on,
and may charge interest for the full time and in
clude the same in the note or notes or other evi
dences of debt given therefor, and collect the same
by monthly or other installments if the debtor shall
so agree, without any rebate of interest thereon:
and to secure any and all such loans, advances or
other debts, said corporation shall be authorized
to take mortgages, deeds of trust, conveyances,
pledges, or such other secur ty as it may see proper.
Said corporation shall also have the power to
lend its own money or the money of others upon
any real estate or personal security, and shall have
the power to sell and transfer all such securities to
any person, company, partnership or corporation,
on such terms and under such contracts as it may
desire: and to further carry out the objects of its
incorporation, said corporation shall have the power
to buy, own and sell real estate or personal property:
to make all contracts consistent with the laws of
this State to carry out the objects of its incorpora
tion : to sue and be sued, and generally to exercise
all the powers and privileges conferred by the laws
of Georgia upon corporations of similar character.
Said corporation is to have its principal place of
business in Fulton County, Georgia, at the town of
Manchester, in said County, but shall also have the
right to establish agencies and transact its business
wherever its interests may require.
Petitioners show that the capital stock of said
corporation is five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars,
divided into shares of one hundred dollars each,
and they desire the privilege of increasing said
amount of capital stock to one hundred thousand
($100,050.00) doll rs whenever a majority of the
stock of said corporation shall so desire. Petition
ers show that ten per cent, of said capital stock has
been actually paid in. and the entire amount of
said stock has been subscribed, and i etitioners ask
that after said ten per cent, of actual cash, the
balance of said capital stock may be paid in
monthly installments.
The business and affairs of said corporations are
to be managed by a board of directors and officers
elected by said board, the number of said directors
shall be fixed by the stockholders
Petitioners ask for an oider of the Court grant
ing this, their petition, and petitioners will ever
pray,etc. B. H. it C. D. HILL,
Petitioner’s Attorneys.
STATE OF GEORGIA, 1
County of Fulton. J
I, G. H. Tanner, Clerk of the Superior •Court of
said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is
a true copy from the files of said office of original
application for charter for the COi.LEGE PARK
LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANY.
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, this
the 15th day of February, 1894.
G H. TANNER,
Clerk Superior Court,
Fulton County, Georgia.
White Plymouth Rocks, Light Brahmas and Brown Leghorns,
ALL THOROUGHBREDS.
a. Eggs for hatching from either, SI.OO for 13. Care-
'y P ac^ an d shipped by express on receipt oi
VkHryprice. Enclose stamp if your letter requires a
reply. Pens at Ezra Hill Farm, Battle Hill Ave*
nue. Choice Birds for sale at all times. Address,
G. W. WILSON, P. O. Box 12, ATLANTA, GA